by Lyn Michaud

Created on: July 28, 2009

Confusion about the issue of right to marriage for homosexuals arises from the duality of marriage as both a business arrangement and a sacred bond. Marriage has been used as a means to politically join and strengthen larger family units, as the accepted social structure for having children and far more recently as the outward expression of love between two people. Civil unions performed by a justice of the peace or notary public for heterosexual couples are still viewed as marriage.

Historically the right to marry has been denied to various individuals as members of larger groups based on ethnicity (Blacks with Whites, Germans with Jews), social class (royalty with commoner, caste systems), religious affiliation (a Muslim woman can't marry a non-Muslim, Catholics with Protestants) and gender. These restrictions vary from being considered taboos to becoming laws.

Despite efforts made to protect marriage as an institution by defining marriage as a union of one man and one woman is an exclusionary means for defending the religious institution of marriage. Laws should not be made to protect a system or institution from perceived abuse, but to protect the rights of individuals from abuse within the system. Laws allow the marriage of individuals as young as fourteen with the consent of a parent. Does that mean the institution of marriage takes precedence over the protection of minors? The law could just as easily be written as a union of two consenting adults.

The term civil union as the recognized institution for gay family units shows contempt for marriage as a dual bond. The human is a communal animal and emotional and passionate connections abound. Love that reaches a level where two people want to spend their lives together is precious and should be lauded instead of denied because love doesn't prevent obstacles. Relationships require effort to survive and grow. Couples choosing marriage enjoy specific shared rights.

To be seen as a unit

Two adults by choice make a vow of commitment to each other to be partners in life. This means the individual and then the partner are the ultimate decision makers for healthcare decisions, right to life, burial, finance and all issues pertaining to life. This bond supercedes the bonds of parents, children, siblings, civic organizations and the state. With this privilege comes responsibility for the relationship, children and asset management.

To raise a family

While reproduction is often used as an argument

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