by Amy Dunne

Created on: October 12, 2009

Should homosexuals receive all the rights and benefits of marriage?

I would ask that you please read the following statement;

Couple C have been in a stable, faithful and happy relationship for the last six years. They have lived together for five of those six years, sharing all financial out goings equally. Both persons work hard in their chosen careers, as a police officer and as a social worker. They are both upstanding members of society. They pay their taxes and neither have ever had any problems with debts or the law. They both have a clean bill of health, both physically and mentally. It is fair to say Couple C love one another very much and plan to spend the rest of their lives together. They feel that the time is right for them to make their union official in the eyes of both the law and God. They wish to show their commitment and express their love before their friends and families.

If I was to say that Couple C were a heterosexual couple, there would be no problems. They sound like the ideal couple and potential husband and wife material. Their love is obvious and their commitment to one another is to be commended. Many would agree that it is only natural that Couple C should wish to get married. Their union would be recognised by both the law and God.

By being married Couple C would be protected by the law. Such things as joint income tax returns, family and bereavement leave, inheritance, family insurance rates, hospital visits and burial arrangements for spouses are just a few benefits that couple C would get from being married. They would also show through the sanctity of marriage just how strong their love for one another is, before God, their families and friends. Their love and commitment would be accepted and praised alongside their faith.

If I were to say that Couple C were a homosexual couple, (I do not feel it matters whether they are male or female in this example) would it change the outcome? Would everything in the example that contributed in favour for the heterosexual couple to get married be dismissed because of this couple's sexuality? In some cases, yes.

Just one part of what makes up Couple C's relationship, their sexuality to be precise, seems to render them as second rate people. Second rate people who have second rate rights. Unfortunately it is possible that all the positive and good attributes in the relationship previously described count for nothing because of this one attribute. A very private and personal attribute,

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