Is marriage a right?
Frankly, I find this argument offensive. Homosexuals and others in same sex couples aren’t fighting TO get married. We fight for the RIGHT to get married. If you don’t want to get married, nobody’s forcing you! But just imagine someone was telling you that you COULD NOT get married if you chose to. So, I’m sorry, but I absolutely cannot feel bad for you based on the idea that when everyone can get married (and someday we will acheive equality), you’ll be somehow forced to “join.”
How exactly is this argument “offensive”? I’m an ardent and out supporter of LGBT rights, have attended the requisite rallies, written angry letters, you name it. (I don’t typically feel the need to brandish my queer street cred, but given that I don’t belong to the group, I do think I should justify my ability to comment on this issue.)
Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that marriage is a “right” in the traditional sense. It’s not. It’s a privilege, meaning that those who choose not to get married will not get the privileges associated with marriage. Rights, on the other hand, don’t require sign-ups. So no, nobody is forcing anyone to join the club, but if joining the club is the only way to access the same set of legal benefits, then yes, you effectively have no choice but to opt in.
(Perhaps a more helpful way to look at the debate would be to examine “the right to get married” and “the rights associated with marriage” as separate issues. The latter should be granted to all people, not just “married” couples.)
