My friends Joel and Kirk were married in Vancouver, BC, Canada on December 1, 2004. Denied the right to marry here in the states, they were forced to go to Canada. The wedding was no frills, much like my friends, and the way a wedding should be. This was about them declaring their love for each other and attaining the same rights as heterosexual married couples. Perhaps one day it will be recognized fully in the US?
As Kirk kept saying, "Why is this such a big deal?" The answer: it's not. Allowing gay couples to wed in a real marriage ceremony, not just a simple civil ceremony is the only way to ensure equal protection under the US Constitution. "Separate but equal" doesn't work.
The time has come for gay civil rights in this country, and marriage is the first step. If you don't believe in it..well, then you shouldn't let your religion do your thinking for you. Besides, religion has no place in politics, especially in the U.S., whose constitution is most decidedly secular. Women still wouldn't be allowed to wear pants or ride a bicycle if the religious nutjobs had had their way early in the 20th century. And if the church does want a place in politics, it should be taxed.
