Same-sex marriage overview
By (Agencies)
Updated: 2004-02-26 09:06

Marriage Project symbol 1

Heterosexual-only marriage symbol 2

"Each individual's journey through life is unique. Some will make this journey alone, others in loving relationships - maybe in marriage or other forms of commitment. We need to ponder our own choices and try to understand the choices of others. Love has many shapes and colors and is not finite. It can not be measured or defined in terms of sexual orientation." From the Statement of Affirmation and Reconciliation by the Quaker meeting in Aotearoa.

"Because marriage is a basic human right and an individual personal choice, RESOLVED, the State should not interfere with same-gender couples who choose to marry and share fully an equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitment of civil marriage." The Marriage Resolution, by the Marriage Project of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. 3

"If marriage means everything, it means absolutely nothing." Dr. James C. Dobson, of Focus on the Family.

"A loving man and woman in a committed relationship can marry. Dogs, no matter what their relationship, are not allowed to marry. How should society treat gays and lesbians in committed relationships? As dogs or as humans?" Posting to an Internet mailing list; used by permission of the author.

Overview:

The institution of marriage has been in a state of flux for centuries:

It was only after the civil war that Afro-Americans were allowed to marry in all areas of the U.S.

It was only after a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1967 that mixed race couples could marry anywhere in the U.S.

But, until recently, same-sex couples could not marry anywhere in the world.

This final restriction was lifted during 2001-APR, when Holland enlarged its definition of marriage to include both opposite-sex and same sex couples. Belgium followed suit during 2003-JAN. Next came Ontario, Canada in 2003-JUN. Finally, on 2003-JUL-9, same-sex marriage became permitted in both Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Ontario. Any adult couple -- same-sex or opposite-sex -- from any country can come to one of these two provinces, buy a marriage license and get married. Same-sex marriages are expected to be legal and available across the entire country sometime in 2004.

Some political jurisdictions have special legislation that allows gay and lesbian couples to register their committed relationship and gain some benefits, However, they do not receive all of the advantages that opposite-gender couples automatically acquire when they marry. These areas include most of the Scandinavian nations, the state of Vermont in the U.S. (where the arrangement is called a civil union), a few other U.S. states, and a few provinces in Canada.

Many people believe that same-sex marriage -- or its equivalent under another name -- will eventually become available to all loving, committed adult couples throughout North America and western Europe, whether they be same-sex or opposite-sex spouses.

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