As I watched news programs and read recaps of the court sessions, I was really struck by something. On Tuesday, Justice Elena Kagan asked Charles Cooper, the attorney representing Prop 8 supporters, this question: "It seems as though your principal argument is that same-sex and opposite-sex couples are not similarly situated because opposite-sex couples can procreate, same-sex couples cannot, and the State's principal interest is in regulating procreation. Is that basically correct?" And Cooper said that yes, it's correct.
Then some hilarity ensued in which Kagan said that maybe opposite-sex couples over the age of 55 shouldn't be allowed to marry because they "don't help us serve the government's interest in regulating procreation through marriage." And Cooper tried to say that it would be "very rare that both parties to the couple" over 55 would be infertile. To which Kagan had to give him a sex-ed lesson.
So here's my question: What about my opposite-sex marriage? I got married at 23 and at the time had every intention of having children. It wasn't in the cards for us and now I'm 45 and there will be no procreating because a) we're in our 40s and don't want to have babies at this point and b) a tiny little matter of the hysterectomy I had last summer. So should my marriage now be considered illegal?
You can say I'm being ridiculous, and maybe I am, but frankly, the argument that same-sex couples shouldn't marry because they "can't procreate" is ludicrous. Agree with me or don't, but I'm not sorry for taking that position.
AMEN. That was exactly my thought. What about the people who can't or won't be having kids?
ReplyDeleteawesome post and right on. also that picture is pretty much amazing.
ReplyDeleteLudicrous is the best word out there.
ReplyDeletePreach on sista! Preach.
ReplyDeleteNow I want to throw a "We're not really married" party. C'mon, that shit would be funny! <3
It used to bug the crap out of me, pre-child (shock of my life was finding out I was pregnant at 40!), when people would say "when you have a family"! We did have a family of 2, plus assorted cats! Kids don't make the marriage, and neither does religion, which is really what this national discussion is about. Nobody can point to a rational reason why gay people shouldn't married, so they fall back on really lame and sad, and ultimately indefensible arguments...Jennifer Johnson (won't let me comment except as "anonymous"!)
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying anything about what I believe the ruling should be, but I 100% agree with you about the stupidity behind the procreation argument. Marriage between an opposite sex couple is not based soley on procreation and so neither should a same sex marriage.
ReplyDeleteThey are coming up with the most assanine arguments against same sex marriage! I can't even believe how stupid people can be. You have a very valid point!!!!!!
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