Now THAT wold be progress [View All]

[rrneck]

http://www.alternet.org/sex/127687/forget_marriage_--_civil_unions_for_all/

Forget Marriage -- Civil Unions For All

Any two people should be able to form legal couples that enjoy the rights, benefits and responsibilities now assigned to marriage.

I believe fervently in the sanctity of marriage, and if you do, too, head immediately to your closest church, mosque, synagogue or flying spaghetti monster chapel, and sign up to procreate, cohabitate and copulate with a sex partner blessed by that holy institution.

But pass city hall and do not collect $200 in tax breaks. In fact, given the intrinsic rewards of sanctity, it's pretty greedy to demand any secular perks from the state. Eternal life at the feet of the old white guy and his hench-angels should be prize enough.

Making your marriage sacred should be between you and your goddy thing.

Making your union legal, on the other hand, should be between you and state-guaranteed legal and human rights. And it should be available to any two people, gay or straight, in whatever configuration: Mother and son, grandparent and grandkid, mother and daughter, and best friends should all be able to form legal couples that enjoy the rights, privileges, financial benefits and responsibilities now assigned to marriage. (Calm down Rev. Rick: Only two people, no pets allowed.)

This has probably occurred to everybody else here but me, but it deserves saying again anyway.

It seems the solution to many of societies ills is to locate and remove the marketing motive from the equation. I was at a bit of a loss as where to post this article since it would fit just as easily in some forum devoted to the economy, finance, GLBT rights, science, personal growth, mental health or damn near anywhere else. Enough of churches branding every fucking thing as their own personal fiefdom for oversight.

And furthermore, lots of people would like to buy alcohol on Sunday. Harumph.