IS MARRIAGE A RIGHT? Sarah Bates

[Sarah Bates is a student in Detroit, MI.]

I am 25, and have been responsible for taking care of my mentally ill sister.

If the government or a private company grants "rights" to a lesbian woman, why should I not have the same "rights" to protect my sister? Isn't the failure to grant me such rights discrimination?

I haven't heard anybody argue that ANY two individuals should have the right to enter into a contractual agreement...the argument is that ANY two unrelated individuals in a sexual relationship should have the right to enter into a contractual agreement. It seems to me that the basis for same-sex marriage has nothing to do with fundamental human rights but everything to do with asking individuals to subsidize other people's sexual choices in the form of benefits. (My university allows me to insure either my live-in boyfriend, or my lesbian partner, but does not allow me to insure my sister. Why are the only lifestyle decisions worthy of recognition sexual in nature?)

Having said that, I believe supporters of same-sex marriage now have two options: to either allow for incest, or to question the legitimacy of marriage as an institution. Both options threaten basic family structure, so let's stop deluding each other. This debate is not about who has a "right" to marry, but instead will determine whether our society recognizes and respects marriage.
posted by Eve at 1:30 AM VOTE

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