I read a lot of blogs. Too many are the ones that reinforce exactly what I believe already. Some are about subjects I don’t know much about. Others take a different viewpoint from my own. Some of those bloggers have even managed to change my stubborn mind on issues over the years. They’re my favourites. Suzy Byrne (of Maman Poulet and Anti-Room) is one of them.
This week, she has laid out her reasons behind her objection to the campaign for gay marriage. I’ll spoil the ending right now: this is not one of the times she’s changed my mind. Still, I’d like to address her objections.
Marriage has not been a friend to women throughout the years. From Suzy’s Irish perspective: “Marriage has previously barred women from employment, excluded us from claiming social welfare, participation in FAS schemes, a reason for being paid less, and a host of other rights and entitlements. Those who did not marry were castigated as a drain on the state, as not behaving appropriately, they also do not get the same rights to protection in cases of domestic violence. Marriage was considered permission for rape until the early 90′s.”
Click here for gay marriage resources.
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