The Definition of "Marriage" as an Argument in the Same-Sex Marriage Debate

Amidst the controversial debates of the 21st century, the fight for and against same-sex marriage is complicated because it involves multiple fronts to consider when debating. Support for same-sex marriage can mainly include topics involving universal human rights and equality, but also encompasses arguments involving actual physical and mental health concerns with the end goal of not only legalizing same-sex marriage, but also to normalize the concept of same sex marriages. Oppositions to same-sex marriage have a variety of concerns for the direct or indirect effect that the legalization of same-sex marriage will have on the parenting of children, religious views and the tradition of marriage. Despite legitimate concerns for and against the legalization of same-sex marriage such as equality and parenting, the debate on same-sex marriage is currently standing on something as simple as the dictionary definition of the term "marriage".

The current state of the debate on same-sex marriage highlights California's recent attempt to legalize same-sex marriage. In the November 2008 polls, the latest attempt to reject Proposition 8, which would officially amend "the clause 'Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California'" (whatisprop8.com) as a part of California constitution. Proposition 8 ended up winning with 52.5% of voters in favor of the clause against same-sex marriage, thus keeping same-sex marriage illegal and further continuing the debate. Though the heated debate on same-sex marriage can continue on regarding important topics such as childrearing, tradition, equality and discrimination, opposition to same-sex marriage have recently introduced a petty loophole into the debate: the literal definition and meaning of the word 'marriage'.

The English word 'marriage' dates back to its earliest usage in the thirteenth century and was originally derived from the Old French word marriage, (myetymology.com). Dictionary.com defines marriage as "the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc" (dictionary.com). The Oxford Dictionary has a similar definition for marriage as "the formal union of a man and a woman, typically recognized by law, by which they became husband and wife" (oxforddictionaries.com). According to both sources, the definition of 'marriage' is limited to a man and a woman. These definitions do not take same-sex marriage into consideration and therefore a same-sex marriage is literally impossible under the formal definition of marriage.

One of the strongest supporting arguments for same sex marriage is that all people are created equal. A marriage that is legally recognized carries with it many rights, protections and benefits which may vary from state to state. Despite state differences, the benefits generally include tax, employment, medical and other benefits (nolo.com). Unable to attain these benefits, supporters for same-sex marriage argues that this creates inequality. In response to same-sex marriage supporter's demand for equality, opposition to same-sex marriage introduces the state of a civil union. A civil union grants some similar benefits as marriage but not all, specifically 1138 federal protections and the difficulty in getting a civil union recognized by some states and employers (law.yale.edu/news/2432.htm).

Opposition to same-sex marriage advocates that a civil union is enough to satisfy the inability of same-sex couples to be wed. The main argument involves tradition and the literal definition of marriage. Traditionally, marriage has always been a union between a man and a woman. To preserve the tradition of marriage, opposition to same-sex marriage states the definition of marriage and counteroffers the inequality with the introduction of a civil union, which attempts to give federal benefits similar to marriage. The state of Vermont was the first state in the United States to offer civil unions in 2000 and 14 other states have followed suit, granting all or some state-recognized rights (wikipedialol). Some of the opposition view that "A federal ban on gay marriage, not on civil unions, 'is the way for America to resolve this in the fairest way, the best way'" (msnbc.msn.com/id/6338458/) while others in the opposition are against even this arrangement, "'Here's the truth, civil unions are homosexual marriage by another name,' said Randy Thomason, the group's executive director, 'Civil unions rob marriage of its uniqueness and award homosexuals all the rights of marriage available under state law'" (msnbc.msn.com/id/6338458/).

The opposition's win-win fix not only spurs debate within the opposition, but also further fuels the inequality debate on the support side. Supporters argue that the civil union arrangement, while seemingly equal on paper, is not applicable in real life situations where the arrangement can be discriminatory and hurt families. Marriage is still the only currency of commitment that is universally recognized and accepted. Civil unions are still considered an inequality, where same-sex couples are simply settling "for political futility, expediency, timidity, and comfort. It lodges same-sex families into a limbo difficult to escape" (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-bohrer/nj-civil-unions-nothing-t_b_36351.html). The argument for same-sex marriage eventually boils down to the concept that supporters are not simply fighting for the rights to the federal benefits of a marriage, but the equality of being accepted into the institution of marriage. This idea is captured well by this satirical quote from Yale Law School, "Let's be clear. Civil union is a true advance. Being able to ride in the back of the bus is a lot better than not being able to ride at all" (law.yale.edu/news/2432.htm), and a picture of a woman attending a same-sex marriage rally holding a sign that says "I didn't ask her to 'Civil Union' me" (http://blog.shankbone.org/2008/11/13/new-york-city-proposition-8-protest-at-the-lds-temple-in-lincoln-center/).

With this unresolved issue, the opposition to same-sex marriage is currently in a defending battle against supporters who are trying to re-define the word 'marriage'. Several dictionaries are in the process of re-evaluating their definition of marriage to provide equality to everyone while still preserving the traditional institution of marriage. Amongst the arguments that have obvious impacts on lifestyle and health such as childrearing, equality and tradition, the seemingly petty argument over the definition of marriage may seem insignificant, but is a necessity for both sides to prove to further their cause.