A Dissenting Opinion
Anybody know how many Americans identify as gay or lesbian? Is it 10%, 20%? The actual number, according the most recent census conducted by Gallup, might surprise you. That being, less than 2% of the U.S. population. There are a number of other studies showing the same thing. For instance, The Williams Institute at UCLA school of Law, which is a gay and lesbian think-tank, placed the number at 1.7%, with another 1.8% of women identifying as bisexual. The old numbers offered by Kinsey, which were guesstimates, aren't sustained by the best and most recent data.
What portion of gay people wish to be married? Based on surveys, only a fraction of the gay population identify as married, about 131,000 couples, representing about one tenth of one percent of the U.S. population.
How long has marriage historically been identified as a relationship between a man and a woman? There is a problem with the question, since almost no culture, whether European, Asian or African ever accepted any other form of marriage as legitimate. All of these cultures had some examples of same sex unions, but most were men with underage boys know as pederasty. There are so few examples of actual same sex marriage, they can't be numerically defined. For instance, the ancient Greeks were comfortable with gay and lesbian behavior—and, they were arguably the most influential culture in history. They did not officially recognize same sex marriage, however.
So, what was achieved by the recent SCOTUS ruling? It changed the historic and legal definition of marriage. And, in doing so, recognized gay marriage as equal in the eyes of the law with heterosexual marriage. But, it also empowered the government with the necessary weapons to punish anyone who disagrees. Will the government use them against its enemies? It already has. Recent lawsuits about who should bake cakes for gay weddings or lose their business are already in play. And, they are being selectively prosecuted, with a very tiny minority using the law like a cudgel to batter those who would dissent, no matter how innocuous the intent of the accused. When it comes to the law and politics, almost nothing is what it seems. This case, is no different.
Mark Magula
What portion of gay people wish to be married? Based on surveys, only a fraction of the gay population identify as married, about 131,000 couples, representing about one tenth of one percent of the U.S. population.
How long has marriage historically been identified as a relationship between a man and a woman? There is a problem with the question, since almost no culture, whether European, Asian or African ever accepted any other form of marriage as legitimate. All of these cultures had some examples of same sex unions, but most were men with underage boys know as pederasty. There are so few examples of actual same sex marriage, they can't be numerically defined. For instance, the ancient Greeks were comfortable with gay and lesbian behavior—and, they were arguably the most influential culture in history. They did not officially recognize same sex marriage, however.
So, what was achieved by the recent SCOTUS ruling? It changed the historic and legal definition of marriage. And, in doing so, recognized gay marriage as equal in the eyes of the law with heterosexual marriage. But, it also empowered the government with the necessary weapons to punish anyone who disagrees. Will the government use them against its enemies? It already has. Recent lawsuits about who should bake cakes for gay weddings or lose their business are already in play. And, they are being selectively prosecuted, with a very tiny minority using the law like a cudgel to batter those who would dissent, no matter how innocuous the intent of the accused. When it comes to the law and politics, almost nothing is what it seems. This case, is no different.
Mark Magula