Prop. 8 absorbs a body blow (in which SF columnist Jon Carroll tears the H8rs a new one)

[KamaAina]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/02/10/DD121N4NQ1.DTL

In other words, the three judges on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard every argument that the antigay forces could muster, the same arguments being used on the GOP campaign trail, and the majority found them to be without merit. Same-sex marriage has nothing whatsoever to do with defending the family; the family will rise or fall on its own internal strengths and contradictions, not what someone else in another part of town does to strengthen his or her committed relationship.

The family is not threatened by same-sex marriage. Period. One could make the case that the family is affected positively by gay marriage, because it would seem to make the institution of marriage stronger if everyone gets to do it. Marriage is hard work; its failure rate attests to that.

And given what the institution of marriage is currently undergoing among straight families - more children born out of wedlock all the time - it's sort of sweet to see the gays standing up for the patience and understanding that marriage always requires. Families tend to like stability. They like good schools and safe streets. They would seem to be ideal Republican voters, but of course the Republicans have gone nuts this year, so even family-oriented, personally conservative folks are having a hard time getting behind them.

And what about this "the purpose of marriage is procreation" argument? Rejected by the court, sensibly enough. If I may use the language of my people, whether Jim and John get married down at the hotel has no effect on whether you're going to bonk your old lady tonight.

[xchrom]

1. thank you, mr. carroll. nt