Shifting Sands

In another sign that this country is shifting, albeit slowly, in its views of gay marriage, the Connecticut (my fair state) state assembly has approved civil unions for gay couples. This story is notable for two reasons. First, it's interesting that the judiciary was not involved at all with the bill's passage. Second, it's remarkable how quickly the story receded into the depths of the internet, without much fanfare.

Civil unions are sometimes embraced by individuals who are staunchly opposed to gay marriage. While marriage, so the argument goes, shouldn't be redefined, perhaps civil unions can act as a way to give gay couples the kinds of rights enjoyed by straight couples. If you're actively opposed to gay marriage, however, that strikes me as a risky compromise. Look at how quickly this nation has come to accept, for all intents and purposes, civil unions. And if you cede the existence of civil unions, therefore accepting at a basic level the state's recognition of gay couples, you cede any argument against gay marriage based on a perceived threat to societal values. What are you left with? Most likely you're left with the most familiar argument: namely, that gay marriage is wrong because it constitutes a change in our definition of marriage. I have a strong suspicion, however, that as time marches on and civil unions become a part of our culture, that argument will go the way of the dinosaur.