I'm not a fan of marriage so let me clear that up before we start. I truly do not believe that anyone is capable of making the kind of commitment set out by that institution under the current vows and that therefore all anyone is doing by getting married is making a calculated gamble.
I think it's important to clarify that because what I'm about to say next does not come from any love of that system moreover my desire for full equality of all people.
The concept I am putting my point across about is gay marriage legislation and all the current legal arguments.
First of all does the fact that everyone refers to this as gay marriage mean that I have to start calling other marriages straight ones, because I really fail to see why people have to keep tagging that extra word in there like marriage is somehow going to be different if it is between two people of the same gender. I'm certain that all the ideals behind marriage - love, honour, cherish, faithful, till death etc - would apply equally to all couples wanting to make that commitment. I very much doubt that anyone would actually set out to make marriage about something else regardless of sexuality.
Secondly there seems to be this massive issue over religion and the various religious beliefs over non straight relationships. I find that actually hilarious given the dwindling church attendances in this country, the increasing number of people who choose to get married anywhere other than a religious building these days and the fact that I know many people who literally turned up for the classes the vicar put on until they got married and then never went back. I mean I think marriage has been so diluted down in this country from its original religious roots that I don't think this is going to change that. And that is despite the fact that most gay people I know would describe themselves as religious anyway but that's for another time.
The other point I've heard made is that there is likely to be a massive upsurge in people turning gay or that this will somehow lead to more non straight relationships. Do people really still believe sexuality is catching or that all gay people are predatory? I think there is quite an arrogance implied there on behalf of straight people in that there is a belief people would try to turn them. There has always been an under representation of gay relationships in society for numerous reasons, including the pressure to comply with the perceived cultural norm, so there may well be an increase in recording of non straight relationships. So what? I'm pretty certain it's not illegal these days and therefore people need to quit worrying about things which do not concern them.
However for all of these points I've raised there is one thing in the current debate that really irks me the most and that is the UK government and opposition parties using this very valid point of equality as a stick to beat people with. I'm not sure if they are trying to prove they are moving with the times or demonstrating their own tolerance, or in some cases lack thereof, but this should not be about party politics. I mean how many times can David Cameron stand up and give one of his 'right on' speeches before being brought to task by his back bench MPs until he realises he is fighting a losing battle? The fact that they are even arguing over a matter of equal rights when our economy is fast going to hell in a handcart and half the world seems to want to bomb the other is ludicrous.
If two people wish to get married having been in a long term committed relationship. I say good for them. Why is what sexuality they are even relevant to the conversation? We pride ourselves in this country on being progressive, well then stop debating and start doing. All people are equal so why are two women or two men less equal than one of each?
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