Marriage.  Say what you want about the definition of marriage; it did not begin as a way for men and women to increase the population of the world.  It began as an institution to basically enslave women. (Visit the Emlen Physic Estate in Cape May for further details).  What can I say; I’m a romantic.  While remnants of the forced marriage era still linger (think: name changes), fortunately the institution of marriage evolved, in most countries, into a public display of love and dedication of one man and one woman from now to eternity or until the legal system deems them apart.  

     Some say this eternity is meant to be spent with children.  There are many men and women who get married without the intention having children.  Some don’t want them.  Some can’t have them.  Some have no desire to adopt them.  And some simply can’t afford them.  Fortunately for them, according to my Bible of Dictionaries, Merriam Webster does not mention children in its definition of marriage.  In fact (and I believe this is recent because I look up this word often), m-w.com added same-sex marriages in its definition.  This is not surprising because, if you can add bootylicious to a dictionary, is it really hard to add a little number (2) to an existing definition?  

     Now, if Merriam Webster added same-sex marriages to its dictionary, what is the problem?  Legally, some States are voting on the definition of marriage.  I’m sorry, but the government and legal systems interpret and write laws; they do NOT write dictionaries.  Merriam Webster does.  I believe that there’s a little something in the Bill of Rights that gives Merriam Webster the RIGHT to write dictionaries.  

     Now, with Wikipedia out there, I’m really concerned.  Wikipedia is an encyclopedia that anyone can edit and change.  Merriam Webster is a dictionary, a real dictionary, with real definitions of real words.  I don’t use Wikipedia as a source, but I do use M-w.com as a source.  If the government does not believe in Merriam Webster’s definition of marriage, then what are they going to say about the other definitions in the dictionary?  Are States going to have to vote on the definition of cat or paint?  Is the dictionary going to be changed into words with definitions that people voted on?   

     That’s particularly frightening for me because people in several States recently voted against the Merriam Webster definition of marriage.  They voted that marriage can only be between a man and a woman.  That’s right, while many people were celebrating the election of Barack Obama, some were mourning the election of Proposition 8 in several states including California.  Articles hail Obama’s election as a turning point for Civil Rights, but Proposition 8 certainly put a damper on it.  

     You can own a gun.  You can be angry about the government, and you can voice your opinion about it, but you can’t legally have a same-sex marriage?  Come on.  This is ridiculous!  Enough people agreed with me and took to the streets on Saturday, November 15.  I joined the rally at Philadelphia’s City Hall.  The peaceful protest consisted of thousands with signs declaring disgust against Proposition 8.  Homosexuals and heterosexuals joined in unison against what I consider a major human rights violation.   

    Onlookers and drivers seemed supportive, honking their horns and stirring up the crowds.  Having protested the Iraq War in Philly and D.C., I am used to seeing people protest the protest, and that barely happened on Saturday.  The only thing I noticed was a lone man walking through the protest, muttering, “This is a bullshit issue” over and over again.  If he was correct, no one would have been there.  Marriage, from enslavement to love, is never a bullshit issue, but something two individuals, regardless of ethnicity or color, regardless of gender or religion, should be able to decide on their own, without the government getting involved.  People can pursue their own happiness–or misery.  

     With the miserable economic state, homosexual marriages would not only be a declaration of Civil Rights, but also a declaration of economic stimulus.  If more people get married, more people will need limousines, cakes, dresses and tuxes, receptions, rehearsal dinners, attire for guests to wear to the wedding, decorations, flowers, hotels, and more.  If more people get married, more people will get divorced.  All of those students graduating from law school with no future ahead of them will suddenly have a place in the world!  Perhaps the married couples will adopt some of those children who are being fed by the government.  Perhaps they won’t.  Perhaps they’ll use their dual incomes to buy nice things for each other and go on elaborate trips.  Perhaps this is the economic bailout the United States has needed for awhile.  No matter how narrow-minded you are, the economy is never a bullshit issue — and the economy spans into every issue.  

     I doubt that the people who voted in favor of Proposition 8 thought about that when they were doing Merriam Webster’s job by deciding the definition of marriage.  Then again, it doesn’t take much thought to tell someone that they can’t do something that you can.  That water fountain?  Yeah, I can use it, but you can’t.  That entrance?  Sure, I can go in it, but you can’t.  That school?  Sure, I can to it, but you can’t.  That vote?  Sure I can vote, but you can’t.  That $40,000 wedding I had?  Sure, I can do it, but you can’t.  It’s pure ignorance that people are deciding that homosexuals can’t marry.  

    It has nothing to do with religion because atheists can marry.  Agnostics can marry.  Devil worshippers can marry.  Religious zealots could get married at City Hall, instead of a church or a temple or a mosque.  It isn’t a religious issue because there is, supposedly, separation between church and State.  No one is saying that homosexuals must be allowed to get married in a particular religion.  This issue isn’t about God; it’s about the legality of marriage.  

     While there was a time in the history of marriage, long before I was born, when I would be against marriage (enslavement), today I can proudly say I feel that marriage should be legal for ALL people.  But if you’re against it, I urge you not to be a hypocrite.  If you don’t feel that everyone should have the right to marry, then really take a stand.  Don’t get married.   

     For those of you who agree with me, please take a stand and support same-sex marriages.  Join Facebook groups, write politicians, go to protests, and, most importantly, talk about the issue with people, especially those who might disagree with you.  Free Speech is the most powerful weapon around.  

     Carpe Diem.  ~Jeannette Ryder