Lisa Golden of New York City tells us what marriage means to her personally…
“Marriage equality is a basic matter of rights. Marriage is about the right to pursue happiness and the fundamental right to liberty.
“Marriages should be legally recognized by the state, even if religious institutions may not recognize them.
“As a mother, I want my daughters to grow up in a State where everyone will be free from discrimination and have the right to marry, regardless of their sexual orientation.
“I think our society is more enlightened than ever before in history and is more comfortable with the idea of marriage equality, especially in a state such as New York, which values liberty and freedom.”
Assemblywoman Janet Duprey has it right. Same-sex marriage is a civil-rights issue, and on that, the government has only one choice: to come down heavily in favor of the civil rights of everyone.
Maybe your religion frowns on homosexuality. That might certainly affect how you and your fellow worshippers feel about the issue. But it wouldn’t be any of the government’s concern.
Maybe your personal morality says marriage should be only between a man and a woman. That would surely dictate that you personally oppose homosexual marriage. But it shouldn’t propel the government into making a law against it.
Possibly, you oppose homosexual marriages because benefits such as tax breaks would accrue to more people at your expense as a taxpayer. There, perhaps the government has some soul-searching to do. But if it’s going to be fair about things, why should sexual inclination be the litmus test for who gets benefits and who doesn’t?
Their conclusion: all New Yorkers should have the same right to marry under the law–and that’s the right one.
If New York allows gay and lesbian couples to marry, how will it affect the church? Based on the experiences of religious leaders in neighboring Massachusetts, it won’t. If anything, it will expand religious freedoms by recognizing same-sex unions performed by congregations and synagogues which honor them.
“Many studies have shown that married people are generally happier than unmarried people. Marriage gives greater purpose to life, and, to borrow from Pastor Warren, the more purpose driven your life is, the happier it is. Marriage does not or should not depend on transitory emotions. It is a partnership in all aspects of life that changes the way not just society, but the individual perceives him or herself, and gives greater incentive to an individual to live a good and virtuous life because the happiness, not just momentary pleasure, but the lasting happiness, of others depends on it. Marriage can be a profoundly gratifying state that strengthens the virtue of individuals and societies, and increases the measure and quality of the happiness we enjoy. It seems to me a terrible inequity that any person should be denied that responsibility, and the emotional enrichment it can provide. And I cannot in good conscience exclude anyone who is prepared for such a commitment from the prospect of such happiness.”
The Declaration of Independence says that all men are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Marriage equality exends these principles to gay and lesbian couples.
