How forumites have evolved (or not) on equal marriage

[angus]

I reckon I haven't evolved much in ten years.  I still think that it is the mundane that makes everything acceptable.  Not fiery speeches.  Not court cases.  Everything--from gay marriage to Christian Rock to bunless burgers--gets acceptable once you see it enough times.  I attended a same-sex wedding before it was a political issue, and long before I started posting here.  I don't think anyone at the time expected to live to see such a thing recognized by the civilian authority, but they were two people thinking that they were in love and wanting the blessings of their friends.  Some folks I know said that it seemed a little strange on the invitation, two men that is, but later, when the whole thing was over a number of them said that the concept no longer seemed novel.  I believe that their marriage lasted about eleven months.  Serial monogamy also seems pretty normal to most Americans nowadays.  For the same reasons.  Like tattoos on women or college students texting each other while the instructor is speaking or fuel costing four dollars per gallon.  You just get used to it.

[angus]

I think it was only around the 2004 US presidential election did I understand it was an "issue"

Yeah, it was weird.  Nobody gave a damn about it before that.  Not me, not my straight friends, not my gay friends.  No one.  Then, all of a sudden it was everywhere.  Also, remember Bush and Kerry the first time they were asked about it.  You could have taken Bush's comments on the issue, and Kerry's, and switched them, and no one would notice.  They both said the same thing, which amounted to, "um, What?  Whatever.  Sure, why not?  I guess it's okay for two doods to get married."  Then, within a couple of days their respective handlers got to them and all of the sudden they were a hundred light years apart on the issue.  bizarre, the way this issue came out of nowhere and was suddenly extremely important.

[angus]

referendums

see, that's exactly what I'm talking about Ernest.  and none of this bothers you?  not even just a little?

[angus]

It's always fine for a plural in English to end in 's'.

Tell that to the oxes. 

[angus]

And in fact, there were many on the LGBT activist side who thought that the marriage issue was a distraction, and even some who were outright opposed

I remember that.  Like I said, gay marriages were performed--I actually attended one--but most folks I knew didn't think of it as a political issue, and more than one homosexual friend was actively opposed to pushing it as a legal or political matter.  Mostly for the reason you state, but there were other lines of reasoning as well.

I guess you're right.  I had described it as coming out of nowhere, and that was my recollection, but now that I think about it there were small discussions prior to that, especially regarding Hawaii, but also to some extent regarding the Netherlands.  In fact, I think it was probably when Netherlands formalized same-sex marriage 12 years ago that all of the sudden everyone jumped on board.  If you'll indulge me, Torie, the deluge developed from the Dutch datum.  And not just in the United States.  Within two year of it becoming fodder for the 2004 presidential campaign when the Canadian parliament jumped on it, formalizing same-sex marriage.  In short order, even the macho republics in Latin America started pushing for it.  

I guess we should start saying same-sex marriage.  I'm not normally very politically correct, but gay marriage is so 1995 and equal marriage has a creepy, Orwellian quality.  I'll try to remind myself to type same-sex marriage.  Or maybe just marriage.  That will be the day of arrival.  When we just say marriage and it means any marriage.  No qualifier necessary.

[angus]

lolz, considering i came out in 08. 

et tu, noctuam?

All the rage lately, I suppose.

[angus]

lately, 5 years ago, etc

Like a garage-sale pair of shoes, or a pre-owned car:  it's new to me. 

[angus]

I guess we should start saying same-sex marriage.  I'm not normally very politically correct, but gay marriage is so 1995 and equal marriage has a creepy, Orwellian quality.  I'll try to remind myself to type same-sex marriage.  Or maybe just marriage.  That will be the day of arrival.  When we just say marriage and it means any marriage.  No qualifier necessary.

Monogamous Marriage?

Actually, there are lawyers pushing for "plural" marriage now, and not just in Utah.

Now that's parfaitement mariage pour tous, n'est-ce pas?