Understanding the Complexities of the Gay Marriage Issue

The goal of this paper is to help frame the issue of gay marriage in a constructive way, without the rhetoric and the oversimplifications that are too often prevalent. It is the author’s contention that this issue is not ultimately about legal rights; it is about legitimation. In order to support this claim, it is first necessary to clarify the various aspects of the issue, namely, homosexuality itself, the role of marriage in society, and the hermeneutical challenge of formulating a Christian response. The paper also briefly considers some of the more common arguments that are made for or against gay marriage. The paper concludes by framing the issue in a way that can hopefully stimulate discussion that is both edifying and productive