IS MARRIAGE A RIGHT? Mary Catelli replies to Mark Barton

Mark is in bold, Mary in plain text.]

I find this a little strange.

I think it's great that Sarah is caring for her sister and I want to see her have whatever rights and legal conveniences that would make it easier for her. But does she seriously want the package called "marriage"?

I can just imagine the response if anyone offered that comment to a pair of homosexuals.

I'm sure bits of it would be helpful, but other bits seem quite inappropriate for her circumstances. While she's taking care of her sister, for example, she can't take a husband. If her sister recovers her faculties and they "divorce," then all sorts of provisions about community property and custody of children could be triggered to unhelpful effect.

There are homosexuals -- I have certainly read their interviews -- who do not want marriage. They don't think it appropriate for their circumstances. There are heterosexuals who think the same thing. Unless this is an argument for abolishing marriage altogether, we must either allow the individuals to decide on their own whether marriage is appropriate, or else distinguish between the natures of those relationships that can be sanctioned by marriage, and the natures of those that can't.
posted by Eve at 2:12 AM VOTE

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