It has been contended that the issue of gay marriage cost the Democrats the presidential election in 2004. I've personally witnessed sentiment on this very liberal website that, accordingly, the Democrats should downplay this issue in 2008, out of fear of the electoral repurcussions.
Equal rights to marriage in our society are so much more important than that! Watching last nights debates solidified my position that it doesn't really matter to me whether Edwards, Obama, or Clinton get the nomination. They all represent my views, for the most part, and would make excellent presidents. I just wish one of these leaders would be true to their "progressive" characters, and stand behind the last minority to be denied the right to marry.
Why gay marriage matters...
Imagine that our debate over the right to gay marriage was a debate over the right to black marriage.
Would you support a candidate who supported civil unions for black couples, but not marriage? After all, his religious beliefs taught him that it was unnatural for blacks to marry. Keep in mind, blacks will be afforded all the rights that "normal" married couples are provided. So there's no difference. It's separate, but equal.
Of course you wouldn't.
Why? Because marriage is about more than a religious ceremony. It's more than a magical phrase.
Most Americans aspire to marry. It's no wonder: marriage is a right of passage to adulthood in this country. It marks your commitment to the social fabric, the community. Your commitment to the continuation of an ages old tradition. Married couples, and families, are the pinacle of our social hierarchy.
To deny anyone this right is to deny them the right to achieve equality and shakles them in second class citizenship.
Do you think that if Clinton, Obama, or Edwards supported gay marriage it would sink their candidacy, or reveal them as an independent leader?