Thank You Senate

Since its ratification, the constitution of the United States has been amended only 27 times. As far as I can gather from my perusal of these amendments, each of the 27 represents an instance in which the rights of citizens were expanded, rather than curtailed. Of course there is the obvious exception of the 18th amendment (prohibition), but Congress was smart enough to repeal that one with the 21st amendment. And then there are the amendments dealing with presidential term limits, the makeup of Congress, and the government’s right to levy taxes, but these could arguably fall into the category of expanding the rights of citizens because they ensure a democratic process.

So where am I going with this? I’m just gratefully reflecting on this week’s activity on the Hill. The push by Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist (R-TN) to amend the constitution to bar states from recognizing the right of same-sex couples to marry has failed.

Conservatives supporting the proposed amendment purported its necessity in protecting and preserving strong family values. I may not be a conservative, but I can respect family values. I even bet I have similar ideas about what these “values” should be. When I think about family values, one of the prominent ideas that pop into my head is the notion of accountability. Husbands and wives must be accountable to, and for each other’s well-being, happiness, and to an extent, even actions. Similarly, parents must be held accountable for the health, well-being, education, and happiness of their children. Furthermore, adult children should also accept a degree of accountability for their parents as they age.

In our society, we closely associate the notion of accountability with the institution of marriage. In social contexts, we frequently ask friends, peers, and coworkers, “How’s your husband?” or “How’s your wife?” We hold married couples accountable for each other, and this is important, especially in a society like ours with poorly maintained public safety nets.

Same-sex couples in committed relationships no doubt accept the same degree of accountability for one another as heterosexual couples do regardless of the name ascribed to the relationship. It is the degree of accountability others ascribe to their relationships that is affected by the name granted it. I want to live in a society where personal accountability and voluntary accountability for loved ones are paramount familial, and societal values. For this reason, I am in support of same-sex marriage.

Allowing same-sex couples to marry is not merely an issue of extending the rights of heterosexual married couples to same-sex couples. If this were the case, publicly recognized civil unions would suffice. Allowing same-sex couples to marry subjects them to the same expectations that society holds for heterosexual couples. It holds the couple accountable to one another, and for one another in the public’s eye. If a couple, any couple, is willing to put themselves before society and accept this accountability, I commend them, and I think the fabric of society can only be made stronger by allowing them to do so.