A Short List Of Things That Have Nothing To Do With Marriage Equality
An easy reference guide
Like a small child stuck on a merry-go-round that just won’t stop spinning, the Australian government is going around and around in circles on the issue of marriage equality. Every 6 months it has reared its ugly head, and it probably won’t stop until we bite the bullet and start treating gay people like human beings.
And whilst the debate rages on both Down Under and across the world, it keeps coming back to a few simple points.
Most people who object to marriage equality do so on purely religious grounds. This is just a simple fact. But this is rarely an argument that we see play out in public, perhaps because it became unfashionable to enforce your religious beliefs on others through rigid governmental control some time after the Spanish Inquisition.
The arguments that people do resort to against marriage equality are rarely right, but more importantly they are almost always complete nonsense. They have nothing to do with same-sex people marrying at all.
Here is a short list of things that have nothing to do with marriage equality:
1Having Children. It is legal for same-sex couples to have children already. Legalizing marriage equality won’t change a damn thing about peoples’ ability to procreate.
2Raising Children. Same-sex couples are great parents, but even if they weren’t, we aren’t changing the child-rearing laws just the marriage ones.
3School Syllabuses. I can’t believe I actually have to say this, but letting two girls (or guys) marry won’t change a thing about what children learn in school. You can still send them to a school supporting whatever brand of religious discrimination you subscribe to, don’t worry.
4Children in General. All of the arguments about “the kids” are just a stupid foil for homophobia. If you mention children in your argument against same-sex marriage, you are simply wrong.
5Political Correctness. Another stupid one. You can still be just as much of a dickhead to people once two guys tie the knot, just not at their wedding.
6"Traditional” Marriage. As a wise internet meme once said, if homosexuality can affect your marriage, then one of you is probably gay. If two girls getting hitched changes anything about your marriage, you might want to re-examine your own sexuality.
7Religious Freedom. Religious freedom is well-protected by a bevy of laws both in Australia and overseas. You can preach hatred and homophobia from your altar of righteous indignation just as easily while the rest of us go celebrate Steve and Barry’s love somewhere else.
8Anything That Isn’t Two People Of The Same-Sex Marrying. This is what it really comes down to. Every argument against same-sex marriage that you see is bullshit, because the only real affect that these laws have is on people who are in same-sex relationships. Who will be able to get married. If you use another argument, you are a) wrong and b) a homophobe, because you are spreading hate using lies.
Bottom Line
If you don’t want to stop two people celebrating their love — and benefiting from the civil institution of marriage — stop spreading these lies.
If you have a religious objection to marriage, fine. Tell us so that we can loudly ignore you. That kind of shit belongs in the 1700s.
And if you live in Australia, vote yes in our upcoming postal survey. It’s important.
If not, there are plenty of ways you can help. Donate to a pro-equality organisation. Or just mental health efforts for LGBT+ youth.
Be an ally.
Save a life.
Isn’t that better than spreading hate?
If you enjoyed my short list, or you just like marriage equality, send a few claps my way with the button below! You can also follow me here or on twitter, or read one of my other articles about same-sex couples and children or the public health reasons for marriage equality
