Acknowledge Same-Sex Marriage — Or Else

From The American Spectator: Acknowledge Same-Sex Marriage — Or Else: "

Are libertarian-leaning Republicans responsible for legalized same-sex marriage in New York State? Gary Bauer addresses that question in Human Events today. It’s a case study in the tension between libertarianism and traditional conservatism.

It’s a tension that needn't exist. Capital “L” libertarians — as in, the Libertarian Party — typically take an active stand in support of same-sex marriage on the basis of individual freedom and expression. I’ve found that small “L” libertarians — those who identify with the philosophy, not necessarily the party — tend to ignore the issue in favor of fiscal matters.

Taking an honest assessment of the political playing field, which side in the equation is more freedom loving, the liberal or the conservative?

Bauer provides a few examples of same-sex marriage advocates’ anti-freedom inclinations:

Same-sex marriage is already having a chilling effect on religious freedom. In states that have legalized civil unions or gay marriage, Catholic adoption agencies have been shuttered or lost their tax-exempt status for refusing to let gay couples adopt children.

Last week in Illinois, Gov. Pat Quinn affirmed a decision by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services not to renew adoption contracts with Catholic Charities for the same reason because of the state’s law recognizing same-sex civil unions.

The radical homosexual rights movement is also trumping parental rights. In California last week, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a first-of-its-kind bill that requires public schools to add lessons about gay history to their social studies classes. Other states have incorporated the homosexual agenda into their curricula. In 2007, a federal judge ruled that Massachusetts public school students would not be able to opt out of lesson plans that normalize the homosexual lifestyle and promote same-sex marriage.

Even more, recall the outright harassment, threats, and intimidation that supporters of California’s marriage amendment have faced in recent years. The idea is to erase any public disapproval of homosexual behavior (or any exaltation of traditional marriage), through any means necessary.

Already, First Amendment freedom of speech and freedom of religion protections are falling under the homosexual-marriage juggernaut. Which freedoms do Libertarians value more? Soon, will any public disapproval of same-sex marriage be rendered “hate speech,” and sanctions enforced through the hand of state and federal government?

It’s intellectually inconsistent, and self-defeated to their cause, for Libertarians to support that shift. Same-sex marriage never has been about a desire among homosexual couples to enter into long-term, committed relationships. They can do that now in all 50 states without punishment or sanction. Rather, it’s been about forcing society, through government mandate, to put homosexual relationships on par with heterosexual marriage — through a marriage license.

And it will have that exact effect. The question is, will homosexual relationships be elevated to the level of heterosexual marriage, or will heterosexual marriage be brought to the level of all other relationships?