Could Gay Marriage Lead to Demands for Polygamist Rights?
Source: Village Voice (9-29-05) QUESTION: I fully support gay rights and wrote a letter to the prime ministerI’m up in Canadasupporting gay marriage. But whenever I get into debates about the issue with right-wing acquaintances, they bring up “the thin edge of the wedge” and insist that gay marriage will lead to polygamy. This leaves me stymied. I have no argument with adults who choose to enter into open relationships. My problem is with fundamentalist cults that indoctrinate their followers from birth and are building armies through the practice of one man having multiple young wives and many children. My feminist backbone shudders at the thought of these young women being bred and raised for the sole purpose of personal fiefdom building. The argument goes: “If gays should be ‘free’ to marry, then why not ‘religious freedom’ for those who choose a polygamous lifestyle?” I’m curious to hear your opinion on this and am hoping you will supply me with an intelligent retort. Stymied In Ca
Related Questions
- Must a Catholic oppose gay rights legislation, such as legislation that permits civil marriage for same-sex couples or allows adoption by LGBT persons?
- Will calls by gay rights opponents for a federal constitutional marriage amendment affect the appellate court judges?
- What are the legal benefits of marriage?
