Rain/Parade.
Edward Stein, who advocates same-sex marriage rights, offers four rational reasons why gay folk should abstain from tying the knot in California. In brief: “Such marriages might be annulled in just over four months; Most states will not recognize such marriages; It might be difficult to get divorced if you don’t live in California; Such marriages won’t qualify for any federal benefits.” [HuffPo]
You might step on a nail and get lock jaw. The clerk who performs the ceremony might have a zit and it would look funny in your photos. Your shoe could come untied. It could make America a terrorist target. There might be an earthquake and tsunami.
You might have a deep and amazing emotional experience. You might touch the lives of thousands and thousands of gay youth. Your co-workers might finally understand just how important your “partner” is to you. Your mother might kvell with joy.
If you live in California and already have a domestic partnership, it’s not that much more to upgrade to a marriage. Yes, it is harder to divorce than dissolve, but more marriages happening sooner is better. Voters will know that their vote on this amendment is *taking away* an existing marriage and I think that will have a stronger impact than if they were just denying unspecified “potential” marriages that have not happened yet.
Get married, and let people know that your marriage deserves protection, too.
It’s a personal choice. Frankly, what bothers me about marriage are the divorce laws in this country.