Marriage. What does that mean to you?
White dresses, aisles, bridesmaids, wedding cake, first dance, groom's speech, best man's speech, father of the bride, tossing the bouquet etc. etc. ?
What it doesn't mean to me is a same sex ceremony. That is a same sex union, a civil partnership, but it is not a marriage.
I thought I'd check the online dictionary to back up my opinion, but the dictionary is obviously more forward thinking than me, defining marriage as:
"The legal union of a man and woman as husband and wife, and in some jurisdictions, between two persons of the same sex, usually entailing legal obligations of each person to the other"
From speaking with friends and colleagues I understand I am being old-fashioned, but really this is a reflection of my understanding of the english language. Nonetheless, the English language is constantly evolving and to me marriage means heterosexual union. Simple as. There is an unfortunate gap in the English language for an appropriate terminology for a same-sex union (civil union sounds so boring which is probably why "marriage" has been appropriated) but in my opinion, that does not constitute a reason to call it a marriage. Perhaps I should invent a new word - how about Unification, Juncture, or my personal favourite, Melding.
On a more deeply philosophical note, I would comment that using words like "partner" and "marriage" to define both hetero or gay relationships I find irritatingly neo-liberal. What is wrong with shouting out your sexuality? I am proud to say I have a boyfriend. And what would be wrong with having a boyfriend if I were a guy? Why label your boyfriend as your partner? Are we all so afraid to offend that we have to use gender-unspecific terms? Partner is such a do-gooding term that it offends me, so despite the fact that I'm 35 and living with him, I have a boyfriend, not a partner.
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