It’s about children’s rights, not sexual orientation
by Margaret Somerville, MercatorNet:
Let’s clarify the issues in the same-sex marriage debate.
It seems that the only issue in relation to same-sex marriage on which politicians can agree is that the debate which would surround a plebiscite must be civilized and mutually respectful. To have any chance of achieving that “tone”, we need first to identify what the issues are and where we disagree.
Homosexuality is not the issue in the debate. Sexual orientation is not a “lifestyle choice” as some opponents of same-sex marriage argue. Whatever its origins, which is scientifically uncertain, it is an innate way of being and a matter of personal morality, not one attracting public or legal disapproval or disrespect. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a grievous wrong and must be prevented. And committed same-sex couples have the right to the same financial, legal and interpersonal protections as do committed opposite-sex couples.
Rather, because marriage is a compound right affecting both adults and children – the right to marry and the right to found a family – children’s rights are the central issue in the debate. That means we must answer the following questions:
Do we believe that marriage consists of an amalgam of biology and culture, that it’s a cultural institution affirming and supporting a biological reality, the naturally procreative relationship between one man and one woman, for the protection and benefit of the children born of that union?
And do we believe that children have a right to a mother and a father and, if at all possible, to know and be reared by their own biological parents within their natural family?
If we answer “yes” to these two questions we should disagree with same-sex marriage. If we answer “no”, we will probably support it.
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