IS THIS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY? Matt Taylor replies to David Benkof

David Benkof writes:

"For me, the same-sex marriage debate is indeed about homosexuality, and about the government preferring opposite-sex partnering over same-sex, because that encourages the best environment for the raising of children, as society has learned over the centuries."

Over the last few thousand years, the taboo against homosexual relationships may well have been necessary in order to ensure a proper environment for raising children, and to enforce the division of labor by gender on which traditional, agrarian societies depend. But, in this country at least, that period of human history is over, with the rest of the world soon to follow. It is no coincidence that gender roles and family structures have become more fluid, since most forms of economic activity today are as easily performed by women as men. Old gender norms, such as the taboo against homosexuality, no longer serve their original purpose and have largely been cast aside.

During the next few thousand years, civilization will change in ways we can barely imagine. We must learn flexibility and tolerance in all areas of social life, sexuality and reproduction included, in order to adapt to our rapidly changing technological environment. Extending civil marriage to all couples, regardless of gender, is one small step in this direction. If the institution of marriage is defined too rigidly, it will eventually be abandoned as a cultural anachronism.
posted by Eve at 6:08 PM VOTE

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