Quote:
Originally posted by ARTelevision
This institution has staying power that stretches my credulity:
I don't see a reason for legally defined marriage for anyone. It would be a better world if individuals were treated individually for tax and property purposes.
The notion of a business partnership would cover the necessary economic and tax advantage items that make a difference regarding marriage and the law. As for children, the same type of business partnership arrangement could cover mutual responsibilities.
Marriage just doesn't create anything but another layer of conceptual problematics in people's lives. If people want to overlay romantic love on their business partnerships, that's their call. I just don't see a reason to "legalize" it - doesn't matter which sex, gender, or preference is involved.
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On a stricly social level, I agree with your argument. However, a legal definition is necessary because of other aspects of our lives where the law affects us--and I'm not talking about tax breaks. There are certain wards in hospitals that only allow visits from family (which would include a spouse). In theory (and I'm sure it's happened in practice), a gay person could be denied the right to see his or her life partner in the hospital because he or she would not be considered "family" under the current laws (in the US). Just to drive the point home... now imagine that the person's life partner dies while still in the hospital.