A marriage of convenience

[mdmc]

Recently two couples I know got married. One couple is gay, and went to Boston to tie the knot. The other couple is "straight".
The straight couple had to wait for the husband to get divorced. He is a Marine, and apparently married Marines get paid more. He married some chick Marine buddy of his so that they could both get paid a little more.

It is a sad comment that the gay couple - in love - true partners - have a less "valid" marriage then the straight marriage of convenience.

Two straight people can get married for kicks... just to get divorced... just to make a mockery out of the institution. Or for financial gain. And it is legit.

People in love should be allowed to marry.

[donco6]

1. But, aren't all marriages are sacred?

Even the drunken Las Vegas "boo boo" marriage is more "sacred" in the eyes of God than my relationship with my partner of 12 years.

Is it any wonder that so many of us have a rather disdainful (is that a word?) view of religion in general.

[WillParkinson]

4. Not at all...

Religion in general gets a dim view from my family.

Congratulations to you and your partner of 12 years from me and mine of 20.

[donco6]

8. Thank you, Will.

And for the note. I get it.

[Lincolngirl]

5. Ahhh... Sacred

You bring up an often stated point, and I agree this is part of the reason many people are against gay marriage.
To me a sacred union is one that is brought together with love. And no one should be told their love is less real because it doesn't fit into the current norm.
Interracial marriage used to be illegal in many states. People would have to go to another state to be married. Sound familiar?

I just wish people would try to keep god out of the whole thing. Love is love. Simple as that.

If only it were...

[uppityperson]

2. I know several people in marriage of conveniences for insurance purposes.

Why should 2 people be able to do this simply because their chromosomes are different xx/xy and those who want to be in a committed long term marriage cannot?
k&r

[terrya]

3. I think of Britney Spears' wedding from a few years back.

She and her...whatever...go to Vegas. They apparently partied quite a bit that weekend, and they got married. They annulled the wedding a few days later. And...guess what? While they essentially made a mockery of the institution of marriage, while they treated it as some damn lark...they both enjoyed all the benefits, all of the rights that the institution of marriage conferred. And of fucking course, the Mormons and the Catholic Church didn't have a problem with THEIR marriage. Because it was two heterosexuals.

The hypocrisy is puke inducing.

[donco6]

7. That's the very one I was thinking about. n/t

[Vickers]

6. I *personally* know of 3 couples that are separated but remain married

just so the wife can keep the insurance benefits.

One couple, they haven't even SEEN each other in almost 3 years!

When I was in the service I knew a few folks who got married just so they could live off-base.