Same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage is marriage between individuals who are of the same legal or biological sex. It is also called same-gender marriage, gay marriage, marriage equality (favored by proponents, along with just marriage), and homosexual marriage (sometimes favored by opponents). These terms are considered variously ambiguous, confusing, inappropriate, controversial, offensive, or loaded, depending on the audience.

Terminology

Some consider the terms "Gay marriage" and "homosexual marriage" to be inaccurate in referring to same-sex marriage since non-homosexuals may seek a same-sex marriage. The term gay is variously used to refer to only gay men, to gay men and lesbians, and to LGB or LGBT people in general. Aside from the semantic issues concerning bisexuality, in the case of an intersex or transgender partner, an otherwise heterosexual marriage could be classifed either legally or genetically as a same-sex marriage.

Related Topics:
Gay - LGBT - Bisexuality - Intersex - Transgender - Heterosexual

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The term "same-gender marriage" can be seen to be problematic when gender and characteristic sex diverge. For example, a transman is considered legally a woman in certain countries or jurisdictions. Thus if he married a man, it would be considered an "opposite sex marriage" in those jurisdictions, though he and his partner would be the same gender. In other countries or jurisdictions he would be considered a man, so his marriage would be a same-sex marriage.

Related Topics:
Gender - Characteristic sex - Transman

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Proponents of same-sex marriage may argue that the correct term for same-sex marriage is simply "marriage", though their opponents argue that such conflation of same-sex and opposite-sex marriage is a loaded term, a misunderstanding of the traditional definition of marriage, and therefore a threat to traditional marriages.

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Proponents of traditional marriage believe that such gender confusion is a product of modern society and that the traditional definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman is clear. One solution is to do away with the word "marriage" and refer to all legal marriages (regardless of gender) as civil partnerships.

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Mixed marriage: the term "mixed marriage" is usually not used in reference to the same sex marriage debate. It does not refer to marriage of two persons of different genders, but rather the marriage of two persons of different religions, cultures or races.

Related Topics:
Religion - Culture - Race

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