The Politics Of Gay Marriage

[rodbarnett]

"The Republicans would like to suggest that the Democrats favor gay marriage. Most don't. Most Democrats favor civil unions, as most Americans do."
Democratic pollster Mark Mellman

Massachusetts' highest court declared Wednesday that full legal recognition of gay marriage, not civil unions, is constitutional. The ruling is certain to have aftershocks that will shake up the 2004 presidential election.

In excluding civil unions as a compromise, the court paved the way for Massachusetts to be the first state in the country to allow same-sex marriages. Almost immediately, the presidential candidates responded, hinting that this could be a major issue in the coming campaign.

President George W. Bush strongly opposes gay marriage, though he has said in the past that state legislatures should be left to decide the issue of civil unions. White House Spokesman Scott McClellan said Wednesday that the administration was reviewing the Massachusetts decision, possibly considering backing a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/02/04/politics/main598106.shtml

[gWbush is Mabus]

1. there is only one solution

whether it happens in 2 years or 20 or 200.


that is a full separation of church and state such that

a gay or straight couple will be recognized by the gov't as a civil union.

the gov't does not recognize marriage

marriage is left up to churches who have the freedom of religion.

[Rainbowreflect]

3. I agree with you 100%.

This should be two separate issues. A civil union is legal contract between two unrelated adults regardless of sex of the parties and a church can make their own rules on who they will "marry" and who they won't.

[Birthmark]

2. Gay marriage is a non-issue.

There are three possible solutions that I see.

1. Gay marriage will be made illegal - This can only be done through a Constitutional Amendment. Personally, I think that that is far fetched.

2. Gay marriage will be made legal through legislation - This also seems highly unlikely.

3. Gay marriage will be made legal through Constitutional protections already in existence - This seems the most likely scenario to me. Since it is the *courts* that will almost certainly decide this issue, then it really doesn't matter what Dems, Repugs, or anyone else thinks.

***

That said, I think that it is a mistake for Democrats to allow themselves to be drawn into making this a campaign issue. Instead it should be used to highlight Repug's misplaced sense of priorities.