More than a year ago, a woman I had never met asked if I needed any help with the Day-of-the-Dead crafts for the wedding. She made Mary’s bouquet and garland, and a garland for the flower girl, and this incredible painting of two girl skeletons in love. And she’s one of those people you’re just grateful exists. You know? One of those people who makes community seem even more familial. Meet my guest for today’s Marriage Project:
In recent months I’ve heard the phrase, “Two gays getting married compromises the sanctity of marriage.” What exactly is the sanctity of marriage? As I understand it, it’s the commitment of two individuals who choose to spend the rest of their lives together, loving each other, working together, being a foundation for one another, a partnership.
Marriage is merely a label for something that already exists: their love and commitment.
What if you read, “Interracial couples getting married compromises the sanctity of marriage.” You wouldn’t, because it’s an outrageous notion! Why is it any different for homosexuals?
What if your husband were in a car accident and you were denied seeing him in the hospital before he died? What if your child had a deadly allergic reaction and your wife was denied authorization for his medical care? Now, replace the words husband and wife with partner. It’s still just as unfathomable that it could happen, and yet it does. People are denied their rights as human beings simply because of who they love.
What right do I have to decide another person’s fate? Who am I to say that another person’s love isn’t valid?
Why is it that I can get married to anyone of my choosing as long as it’s the opposite sex? It doesn’t matter if I actually love them, it doesn’t matter if I intend to stay married or not.
I almost married a gay man for tax purposes. This definitely isn’t what marriage is supposed to be about. Yet, two people who have lived by the “sanctity of marriage” aren’t legit. Talk about hypocrisy.
Marriage Equality to me has nothing to do with Marriage and everything to do with Equality.
Erica Roscoe
Spokane, WA
