Why Gay Marriage Matters to Everyone

Last week the courts in two states ruled against gay marriage. In Georgia, the courts upheld the voter-approved ban on gay marriage. New York’s the highest court ruled that the state constitution does not guarantee the right for gays and lesbians to marry. Certainly gays and lesbians are disturbed by these rulings. But as the true impact of voter-approved gay marriage bans become apparent, there is more and more reason to believe that unmarried heterosexuals will also suffer as a result of gay marriage bans.

In Ohio, the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage was used as a defense to reduce a charge in a domestic violence case involving an unmarried heterosexual couple.

In Michigan, the state attorney general ruled that a gay-marriage ban approved by that state's voters also prohibits public employers from offering health benefits to unmarried partners, gay or straight.

Is gay marriage a civil right?

Four Reasons to Support Gay Marriage.

Where can gays marry?

What is the difference between marriage and a civil union?
_{Photo © Kathy Belge}