(Under Construction. For now, this page is no more than an unstructured, expanding listing of possibly related posts. By all means follow the links that are included, but these are as yet nowhere complete. Italicized links are not yet working).
In the continuing battles for marriage equality, a common refrain from the opponents is that marriage has “always” been between one man and one woman, and that it would be wrong to “redefine” marriage. As with so much that is freely stated to justify continued discrimination in favour of opposite sex couples, the claims are simply not true.
Same sex marriage, and other forms of union, have been recognized in many historical conditions and different parts of the world, even by the Christian Church. Conversely, what is loosely referred to as “traditional” marriage, as a voluntary commitment between two people based on romantic or sexual attraction and solemnized in church, is in fact a relatively modern invention. The redefinition of marriage has always been a constant, continuous condition of the institution. There is absolutely no reason not to continue with the redefinition, to complement the changing conditions of human culture.
These pages outline some of the ways in marriage has varied over time and geography, and also tracks the progress to marriage equality in the modern world.
Marriage in History
The Modern Progress to Marriage Equality
Marriage Equality: World Update The progress of gay marriage in Europe, Latin America, Asia.
Europe-wide Marriage Equality Coming Closer
Argentina Approves Family Equality.
Gay Marriage – Coming to Iceland?
Portugal Clears Last Hurdle
Gay Marriage – In the Army, in Parliament
Global Marriage Equality: Slovenia Advances
UK: Civil Marriage, Civil Partnership Converging?
The Churches and Marriage
Religious Leaders FOR Marriage Equality
Gay Marriage, in Church: Denmark Next?
Same-Sex, Opposite-Sex, or “Apposite” Sex? : Churches Grappling With Inclusion, Equality