Cultural Motives in the Gay Marriage Argument

by Albert Bales

Homophobia is Not the Core Issue

Cultural change is a constant process of accommodation and adaptation to developing social conditions which are sometimes seamlessly assimilated with scarce notice and sometimes accepted only after serious conflagrations up to and including war. When proposition 8, the measure banning gay marriage, was passed by a 59 percent vote last November the decision unleashed a militant backlash by gays and their supporters that has prompted a judicial review now gestating in the california State Supreme court. The passage of the initiative was a surprise to the gay community who, by and large, felt that they had broad support for their cause. Discrimination was at an all time low, gay politicians were well accepted in the state and local legislatures, there are many popular gay media figures.

Read Full Story