I am pleased that the cogs are turning in this direction, although I don't see any particulair silver lining. Wedding planners and the like are going to be very pleased - this entire concept means more customers. I am glad that equality and equitability is so close as to say it is merely being fine-tuned, but then again, what is marriage? Just a ceremony. An expensive ceremony, that, 50% of the time in America, results in another social routine - divorce (which is also quite taxing). While I am all for equality, this is the cynical view that I hold.
The only difference for your average, marriage material homosexual is recognition by the state - Symbolic, but effectively meaningless. (Ok, perhaps there may be a small financial bonus, yet likely not enough to cover wedding costs).
In fact, though this issue has a very strong sentiment to it; that of freedom of rights, expression, equality - doesnt it seem strange that it gains so much focus? Shouldnt the public be thinking about ideas of greater bearing? Often I am amazed that issues based simply on definitons and thin air can recieve so much attention with all the terrible physical realites that exist. Isnt it sad? While the western world still sits in a playpen and tinkers with its own identity, people are starving, there is violence and unrest, and still some of us are wondering about the implications of Adam and Steve finally tying the knot.
Just my two cents. By the way, I'm Gay.
