by Billie Meyers

Created on: May 20, 2008

Years ago, my business law professor asked the class to write an essay on the legalization of gay marriage. I was for it then and still am. I remember being very puzzled by her comments about my essay. She felt that since I hadn't addressed the economic factors associated with the legalization of gay marriage, I hadn't really addressed the issue. Perhaps because it was a business law class I should have known that she was not looking for a discussion about the validity of gay and lesbian relationships, but what does economics have to do with it?! Really!

I am much older now, and I still don't know how to approach the issue from that perspective. If you are of the same opinion as my business law professor, read no more! You'll be sorely disappointed.

Gee, this question seems like such a no-brainer to me. Of course gay and lesbian marriages should be legal! If two people, gay, straight, or whatever, decide that they want to be united in marriage, I say more power to 'em! The California Supreme Court affirmed what I know to be true:

All people should have the right to a legally recognized partnership. Sex is only part of a relationship. As many married couples can testify, it's a very small part of the relationship after marriage. Life can be harrowing at times, and many people find great comfort in having a partner to share their joys and sorrows with. Gays and lesbians have the same needs as any one else. I can't think of a single reason why ANY couple should be denied the protections and benefits of marriage.

You may find yourself thinking, "Well, what about children? Gay and lesbian couples can't have children naturally. Doesn't that mean they shouldn't marry?" I've thought that too, but many heterosexual couples choose not to have children. Should they be denied the right to marry? I think that most people would agree that they should be allowed to marry. Therefore, that is not a valid argument against gay and lesbian marriages since we obviously recognize that procreation is not the only purpose of marriage.

Do you think that gays and lesbians shouldn't be parents? Before you answer that think about the messes that many heterosexual couples have made of their families. Loving parents come in many different packages. I feel certain there are many children out there that would give anything for a pair of loving parents, old, young, gay, lesbian, or straight. Besides, many gays and lesbians already are parents, married or not.

"It's just not natural!" many say. According to the "American Heritage Dictionary," it is: Natural is defined as "present in or produced by nature." Nature is defined as "the material world and its phenomena." All people, gay, lesbian, and straight, are present in and produced by nature. They are part of the material world. Gay and lesbian relationships are two of many of nature's phenomena.

The Bible and God should not enter into this debate. The government should not be in the business of legislating morality. Period.

If you find it repulsive or just don't like it, I say too bad. Get over it! There are lots of things that are legal that I find distasteful: NASCAR, football, and velvet Elvis paintings, to name a few. Do I think they should be illegal? Certainly not!

Like I said, it's a no-brainer. Way to go California!

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