Marriage...WTF?

Marriage is a social contract made between two people. It is a commitment to another person, or in some cases persons. Every culture has its own way of dictating how marriage is supposed to work. However, the actual history of marriage predates the written word itself. But in today's world, marriage is one of the biggest topics to bring up.  Many questions are asked, and new questions are being formulated each day. What constitutes Marriage? When do you marry and at what age is it okay? Do interracial marriages last? And so on and so forth...There are even debates on who should and should not be able to marry. The biggest controversy is the idea of gay or same-sex marriages.

As a gay man, I should be up in arms about the legalization of gay marriage. I should have my picketing sign or rainbow flag ready and able to fly whenever duty calls. Yet, I find myself at an odd loss for passion on the subject. I am not saying I am against the idea of gay marriage, but its not a necessity, at least for me. I find that I do not need a piece of paper or my government approval to love and commit myself to another person. I DO understand the debate though. The legalization of gay marriage will give same sex couples the same rights as mixed couples. Joint taxes, insurance benefits, hospital rights, right of attorney, inheritances...the list goes on and on. All those things are a right to have, especially hospital rights in those unforeseen bad times. But I find myself indifferent to most of them.

I guess its because I know a little bit about some of the history of marriage, and I do mean little, but at least its some. Marriage first started out as a union between two people (or more in some cultures). Most marriages were "Arranged Marriages". Meaning that the bride and grooms parents planned their unions. Sometimes even before the children were born. The idea of "LOVE" having ANY part of a marriage decision didn't happen till the Romantic Period, when the rise of art and literature took its most aesthetic hold.

AND, for those people out there who believe marriage is a union between JUST a man and JUST a woman, think again. The idea of gay marriage has been around almost as long as the idea of marriage itself. There are accounts throughout Greek, Roman, Chinese, Japanese, and European history where same sex couples were recognized and legal. Or as legal as legal could be in those times. So you can't use the "marriage is between a man and a woman" thing anymore. Historically speaking anyways.

And as for the legal debates about rights and if state or federal government should decide...I think like the founding father. It should and has to be a combination of BOTH state and federal government. Federal government should stink 100% by the Declaration of Independence of the USA Or at least the first part.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Which means that all peoples, well US citizens, should have the right to do what brings them happiness. Well, as long as that thing does not physically harm someone else.And state should do something too, I just don't know what quite yet. But I am sure there is something for them to do.