GENDER AND MARRIAGE: Matt Taylor

[Matt Taylor is a computer programmer in Minneapolis, MN.]

Here is my take on why Sam Schulman opposes same-sex marriage:
1. SSM would alter the age-old definition of what it means to be human, maybe changing humanity beyond recognition.

2. SSM threatens the process of procreation necessary to the survival and well-being of our species.

Though I lean toward supporting same-sex marriage, I found myself agreeing with Sam in two key ways.

1. I agree that SSM would alter the definition of what it means to be human. Replacing "the union of one man and one woman" with "the union of two people" asserts that men and women are interchangable, at least for this one very important social institution. This alters the historical understanding that gender is at the core of one's being. In answer to the question "what are you?", most present-day people are far more likely to say "I am a man" or "I am a woman" than "I am a person".

2. I agree that the future of our society rests in large part on the extent to and manner in which we procreate. By procreation I mean not only the biological process by which male and female produce offspring, but also the cultural process whereby mother and father raise children and teach them how to live.
posted by Eve at 10:56 AM VOTE

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