No One Has the Right to Redefine Marriage

The following appeared in the Poughkeepsie (NY) Journal today. I thank Rich for taking time from his tireless pro-life activism to produce this excellent piece:

The Marriage Equality Act would redefine marriage to ignore the fundamental biological fact that the union of man and woman is the only relationship that is capable — and designed — to unite them and to create and nurture children. Same-sex couples just cannot fit into that definition. Same-sex couples certainly have the right to live as they wish, but nobody has the right to redefine marriage and parenthood for all of society. Without a genuine religious-liberty exception in the law, same-sex "spouses" would be able to bring complaints against religious institutions, businesses and individuals under various state and local anti-discrimination and human rights laws, none of which were ever envisioned as applying to same-sex marriage.
There are professions that require a state license (lawyers, doctors, and nurses). The state may seek to revoke the license of anyone who discriminates against a same-sex married couple.
Health and family life education, which are required by the state, will be adjusted to include the recognition of same-sex marriage. Parents of public school children have only limited rights to opt their children out of these classes.
The Poughkeepsie Journal's editorial support of same-sex marriage failed to mention these issues ("NY should allow gay marriage, now," May 27). This bill settles nothing and will begin a long and costly legal struggle in the courts. Contact your senator and assemblyperson and tell them to reject the Marriage Equality Act.