Yesterday, I was talking to a friend and we got into a discussion about marriage and live-in partners. I posted some thoughts on this a while back, but I had some new thoughts to add, and so figured I would take the opportunity to do so today.

The whole idea of barring same-sex couples from getting married is, to me, just plain wrong. Those who want to see it through claim to want to protect the "institution" of marriage. They also want to do away with any domestic partnership laws. Many of them have shown just how hateful they are by not doing business with companies who offer benefits for domestic partnerships, thereby perpetuating the "homosexual agenda." Take a look at James Dobson, head of Focus on the Family, who recently severed ties with Wells Fargo Banks because Wells Fargo allows domestic partnership benefits. Um, okay. I think we're lucky that businesses have realized that having these benefits for employees tends to make employees happier, more productive workers.

The thing that really gets me is that marriage is not something to take lightly. If there are couples of any sexuality that want to marry, that's a pretty good sign of their desire to commit their lives to each other. However, I am not one to say that everyone should get married. I don't think there's anything wrong with living with your significant other. I am not one to judge. And neither, apparently, is the religious right. But they should be, if they truly were working for a fully moral cause. Last I checked, most religions mandate that couples live and sleep apart until they are actually married. Seems fishy to me that they're not making a stink about this. Plus, domestic partnership benefits offered by states and businesses are also beneficial to straight couples. But apparently, the "institution" of marriage is the only important thing. Nothing else matters. Forget being a good human being. That's obviously not as important as having to be straight in order to get married.

In the future, if we work hard to have our voices heard, we can recognize more holes in others' arguments, and fight for equality.