Preventing same-sex marriage is
discrimination
It is truly amazing that the legislature of arguably the most
liberal state in the country was unable to pass a bill legalizing
same-sex marriage.
Disallowing same-sex marriage is nothing but pure
discrimination.
Often the main reason given by politicians for voting against
such bills is that the bill would harm the institution of
marriage.
But putting the rights of an inanimate concept such as marriage
above the rights of people is ludicrous and illogical.
Many politicians also state their morals as a reason for
fighting against same-sex marriage. Yet the United States is a
secular nation, and religious morals should play no role in
determining the rights of its citizens.
Why is it that conservatives are adamant about the government
staying out of individuals’ lives when it comes to owning
guns but demand the government take action on an issue that would
harm no one?
James Arcellana Third-year, political
science
Mock wedding a disgrace to institution
I want to express my discontent with the spectacle that took
place in Bruin Plaza on Friday afternoon. I write about Sean and
William, the two young men who stood on the stage of Bruin plaza
that afternoon with the intention of being wed. I feel great
compassion for them and the situation in which they find
themselves: It seems they feel sexually attracted to each other,
despite being of the same gender.
I was already upset when I saw on the fliers advertising the
event that USAC was funding it, meaning that my student fees were
supporting an event I do not agree with. But there was also a woman
standing on a podium yelling things I didn’t agree with. The
woman claimed that two people of the same gender have the
“right” to get married.
I believe that marriage is not simply a right, and it is by
nature a discriminating institution. A person does not have the
right to marry his or her relative, pet or someone who is already
married. It is a discriminating institution, but it is not without
reason. Inter-familial sexual relations can engender mentally and
physically impaired children, so there is a law in place to
prohibit it. Until it can be proven that the gay and lesbian
lifestyle does not hurt people, the law should continue to prohibit
it, and I will speak out against it until the day I die.
If the main argument for same-sex couples who want to be married
is that they love each other, then I respond, good that you love.
But love is so much more than a union of bodies. Most importantly,
I believe homosexuality is a misunderstanding of the true dignity
and beauty of love. Sean and William should not have been
“married,” not only because it is a representation of
an illegal act, but because it is a projection of an unreality as
real life.
Elizabeth Goodwin Second-year, philosophy