How To Really Protect Marriage, by D.C. Simpson

[ImaginalDisc]

From D.C. Simpson, a liberal, transgendered, cartoonist and sometime blogger:

Linky.

How to really protect marriage

Washington's Democratic Governor, Christine Gregoire, has signed domestic partnerships into state law.

Three cheers for this development; it will be a relief to be guaranteed hospital visitation rights, the right of inheritance, etc. It's not everything, but it's something.

Snip.

In the long run, I tend to think you don't even have a choice about what you give us, gay marriage is coming. But in the short run, you have two choices. Create a "separate-but-equal" institution, domestic partnerships/civil unions (and we all know how well that worked with black people and how favorably history views racial segregation). In doing so, invite a future in which marriage is not the only option, when perhaps legal relationships between two people become a buffet table almost, with numerous arrangements conferring different benefits and responsibilities, with "marriage" being the name merely of one of the options.

Or, leave marriage precisely as it is, except lift the gender restrictions.

If you want to "preserve" traditional marriage, Joe, your best bet is to let us into it. It's a lot less likely to be disruptive than creating a lot of semi-marriage alternatives.

 

[Marquis de Carabas]

I think the best way to protect marriage is to give each husband and wife (or husband and husband, wife and wife) an armed security guard.

Insert obligatory "if I see a guy with a gun in my marriage..." joke here.

 

[Vorticity]

{Prepares for a 10-page thread of arguing about the word "transgendered"}

 

[ImaginalDisc]

{Prepares for a 10-page thread of arguing about the word "transgendered"}

I will fall on the grenade by saying that I chose that label, rightly or wrongly and bear any blame for doing so. D.C. Simpson's said that he once considered gender reassignment surgery, chose a new name and got ready for it, and changed his mind after choosing to accept the body he was born with. There was a [URL="http://lupinia.us/ireadthis/index.php?topic=1982.msg42535#msg42535"]thread about it on the fan forum, [/URL] where he posts as "Liberal Eagle."

Quote from: Prodigal Gamer on November 14, 2006, 01:28:58 pm
Born David Craig Simpson, DCS is now a woman named Dana Claire.

Actually not really true.

I considered going down that road for a good two years (though I only outed myself publicly last spring). I was pretty convinced for a while that I was going to have to make that change to be happy. But, as counseling and soul-searching progressed, I made my peace with the status quo.

Maybe some time I'll write at greater length about the whole process of learning to be comfortable in my skin, because I think it might be useful to somebody somewhere. Suffice it to say that I have learned to be happy enough with being David--but, I'm keeping the long hair and earrings, because I like them.

Frankly, I feel a little odd bringing the issue up, but I just want to say that if anyone got it wrong, it's me. I'm easily confused on the whole matter.

 

[TjW]

I think the best way to protect marriage is to give each husband and wife (or husband and husband, wife and wife) an armed security guard.

Insert obligatory "if I see a guy with a gun in my marriage..." joke here.

I don't disagree, but I'd go one step further:
I'd demand that the security guard had legs as well.

 

[Beerina]

I will fall on the grenade by saying that I chose that label, rightly or wrongly and bear any blame for doing so. D.C. Simpson's said that he once considered gender reassignment surgery, chose a new name and got ready for it, and changed his mind after choosing to accept the body he was born with.

It occurs to me that with a couple of judicious cuts internally, one could induce the penis to erect inside (with the attendent "entry tube") or outside the torso (i.e. normally), as desired, depending on the situation.

I don't know why surgeons have to be so absolutist about it all.