VOICE OF THE TURTLE Online - May 17-23, 2004

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Same Sex Marriage Becomes Reality in Massachusetts

Same sex marriage has been a hot button political issue for several months now. Effective at midnight, May 17, same sex couples will be able to legally marry in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The marriages will not be recognized in most other states and municipalities, and many religious denominations have barred their clergy from officiating at such ceremonies, or have attempted to do so. The Massachusetts legislature has passed a proposed constitutional amendment, that if ratified in two years, will prevent same sex marriage while recognizing civil unions. The Massachusetts constitution requires that a constitutional amendment be voted on again in another legislative session, and then face the electorate.

Unlike the ceremonies performed in San Francisco and other cities last month, there is no question that these will be legally recognized in Massachusetts. Those who sought to prevent this from occurring, will have the opportunity over the next two years to see that society as we know it will not degenerate when same sex people in love will be able to wed. Additionally, heterosexual people will not stop getting married and traditional family units will not stop being a valuable and viable part of American life.

Even among people who are welcoming & affirming, same sex marriage is not universally embraced. Some people who are gay affirming are in favor of civil unions but not calling same sex ceremonies marriage. Likewise, there are those who are lesbian or gay who do not feel comfortable the marriage label. I think some of the issues people have with the word marriage being applied to same sex commitment ceremonies is the confusion between what is legal and religious. Marriage, as it is defined legally, is a contract between two people. Marriage from a religious perspective is a commitment between two people before God. The changes in the legal definition does not require churches or religions denominations to change policies.

We should all try to respect the diversity of opinion we as Baptists and American have on this subject. It is my  hope and prayer that a year or two from now, people will see through the experiment that is happening in Massachusetts, that same-sex people who wish to marry are very much like their heterosexual sisters and brothers.

You are invited to share your thoughts and comments with readers of VOTO on this and other subjects. Please email ambaptists@aol.com

Chris Boisvert,
Online Editor

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