Marriage should be a strictly legal term in government'void of social or religious implications. If two people love each other and are committed to each other, they should be granted the same legal rights as every other couple, regardless of their sexual preferences.
The current attempt to solidify the definition of marriage in law as between one man and one woman in Wisconsin revolves around people's religious beliefs. The legal definition of marriage should be separate and uninfluenced by the religious definition of marriage.
In the religious institutions of this state, marriage can be defined in accordance with private doctrine and belief. In government, the function of marriage is only to define the rights and privileges of two people.
In fact, it would be preferable to replace the word 'marriage' with something else. This would conceptualize the difference between the religious and legal definitions of marriage. It is probably unreasonable to expect such a change to occur anytime soon, but in the long term it would be optimal.
Our generation has been more tolerant of gay lifestlyes than in previous times and is better prepared to recognize gay marriage. Time is on the side of gay marriage. Unfortunately, now the proposed constitutional amendment has an excellent chance of ratification by Wisconsin voters next November.
To defeat this amendment, student groups need to mobilize support in conservative areas outside of Dane County, where support for the amendment is closely tilted for the amendment. Whether handing out flyers, holding rallies or simply talking to friends and family, student groups have an array of resources available to fight this amendment.
