Same sex marriage needs straight people!

Gay marriage needs straight people to take a stand. If straight people really want to stand up for same sex marriage, they should not marry. As the old saying goes, friends who want to stay friends should never discuss religion or politics.

But if the shifting tides of recent years have demonstrated anything, we can probably amend that rule to include marriage.

Marriage remains a largely conservative institution founded on the monocultural ideals of a two-parent nuclear family. 

So defensive are people of their marriage unions that it seems almost impossible to have a rational discussion about how that institution has historically flourished from inequality. It's a curious contradiction that while so many of us seem eager to address the current model's discrimination towards same sex attracted lovers, there is less enthusiasm for the archaic history of marriage as a whole. The pursuit of marriage equality is vital, not least of which is because every Australian of legal age should have the right to embrace or reject it as they see fit and according to their own system of values.

But despite the need for inclusivity, marriage remains a largely conservative institution founded on the monocultural ideals of a two-parent nuclear family. I have sympathy for the non-heteronormative point of view that suggests aspiring to marriage equality is aspiring to conventionality, particularly when taking into consideration the social benefits that have been granted to people who play by its rules. The reward for entering into an institution so highly prized by the status quo is great, and as such no one can be reasonably faulted for desiring it. Also, weddings are fun and - as a guest - a great source of free alcohol.

Read the full story at: canberratimes.com.au