Why Gay Marriage Advocates Must Support Triad Marriages
Modern Conservative ^ | May 12, 2009 | Gina L. Diorio
by Gina L. Diorio
This really should come as no surprise. Just as gay marriage advocates argue that any two people who love each other should be allowed to marry, now a group in Maui, Hawaii is saying, hey, why stop at two?
The World Polyamory Association, headed by the husband-wife team of Janet Kira Lessin and Sasha Lessin, is pushing for legal recognition of “triad” marriages. Of course, Janet and Sasha lead by example, having, uh, joined, with another “husband” – Shivaya, (see Threesome Marriages).
Some might say this is crazy and argue it will never be accepted, but I’d like to present a tidbit of truth here: if you support gay marriage, it is impossible for you rationally to oppose triad marriages.
Yes, I’ll say it again: If you support gay marriage, it is impossible for you rationally to oppose triad marriages.
Now, I know some people reading this just got very angry with me. They’re saying, “Wait, I believe in same-sex marriage by I by no means would support triad marriages. How dare you say that, logically, I have to?”
I’m so glad you asked.
Two primary arguments given in favor of gay marriage are the arguments of emotion and equal protection.
Emotion – “If two people love each other, they should have the right and freedom to marry.”
Equal Protection – “Marriage is a civil right, and denying two people the right to marry is violating their right to equal protection under the law.”
Well, based on these arguments, it’s impossible logically to deny three people (or four, or five, etc…) the same “right” to marry. After all, if three people love each other, shouldn’t they have the right to marry? And wouldn’t denying three people the right to marry be a violation of their right to equal protection?
“Wait a minute,” you might be saying. “Your claim still doesn’t hold water. Sure, I believe in same-sex marriage, but I also believe strongly in monogamy.”
Ok, that’s great. But on what basis?
No really, think about it, what’s your basis for believing in monogamy.
Is it because it lowers the risk of STDs? Well, wouldn’t three people in an “exclusively committed” three-way relationship also have a lower risk than those with multiple or random hook-ups?
Or maybe you believe monogamy is best for raising children. Ah, but wait a minute, research has actually shown that the healthiest environment for children is in a two-parent home being raised by a mother and a father (note the gender difference there).
So, I’ll say again. Rationally thinking, if you support same-sex marriage you have to support triad marriages.
Now, you might respond to me and say, “No, I don’t support triad marriages – because they’re just wrong!”
Well, sorry, that doesn’t hold water. Because what’s your basis for right and wrong? If you believe in same-sex marriage, then you already have adopted a subjective standard of right and wrong based not on history, not on religious tradition, and not on scientific research. but rather on a “if they want to they should be able to” philosophy (or, even better, on a “this is my truth” philosophy).
So, then, this same philosophy would have to apply to triad marriages as well.
Some of you will think I’m crazy for positing this necessary connection. If so, I’m glad. I hope it will inspire you to examine the arguments and try for yourself to arrive at a logical and rational basis for opposing triad marriages while supporting same-sex marriages.