Same-Sex Marriage In Liberal Christian Tradition

Same-sex marriage (also called gay marriage, marriage equality, and less often homosexual marriage) refers to marriage between same-sex partners. The definition, exclusive status and legal benefits of marriage may be one of this decade, the most important questions of domestic policy in the United States. Many experienced and influential scholars, legislators, and commentators are asking why the preferred legal status and benefits of marriage should not be extended to the Union, in addition to traditional marriage (that is, except perhaps the life, the state adopted a consensual union between a man and not closely related with a woman) (Eskridge, 1996; Strasser, 1997; Sullivan, 1997; Posner, 1992; Wardle, 97-100). Why should marriage only to preferred and specifically recognized marriage in our laws, while other forms of intimate personal relationships do not have the same or a similar legal status? Why not be the same - sex marriage be legalized or the equivalent of marriage as the status of the establishment (such as a "civil union" or "domestic partnership") for the same - a pair?

In view of our culture is dominated by concern for the protection and promotion of individual autonomy, the majority of the arguments for same - sex marriage stress the individual interest in marriage, and argue with this point of view, there is no difference between heterosexual marriage and same - sex marriage. The social interest in marriage and in the proposed legalization of same - sex marriage is largely ignored. This is a major flaw in most arguments for the legalization of same - sex marriage, because the main purpose of marriage laws has been and should regulate marriage in the public interest, not to encourage any person or any particular class of private interests. Thus, the assumption that the various arguments legalizing same - sex marriage will strengthen the life or lives of gay and lesbian people or gays and lesbians as a special class just misses the goal. What must be demonstrated, rather, is whether (and if so, how) the legalization of same - sex marriage will promote public interest in marriage, and the achievement of social policy, for which the laws on the establishment of the marriage, had been taken. (Cristal 2007)

The constitutional right to privacy requires states to impose sanctions and to recognize same-sex marriages. There is nothing inherent in the legal institution of marriage that excludes same-sex couples from it. Viewed functionally, legal marriage is essentially a commitment that combines the two are inextricably linked with the adults, the obligation to maintain the link between these adults by structuring their relations with each other and with third parties. Conceived in this way, marriage is indifferent to the relative rights of its residents. And because marriage is not fundamentally closed to same-sex couples, the fundamental right to marry - which is one of the main elements of the constitutional right to privacy - also applies to the couple.

At the February 10 statement, the mayor of San Francisco Gavin News ...