via Associated Press
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Is it gay marriage or same-sex marriage? Genderless marriage or marriage equality?
In the ongoing push to let gays and lesbians marry, the choice of terms provides a good clue of where the speaker stands.
Assisted suicide vs. death with dignity. Estate tax vs. death tax. As with other hot-button social issues, the main course in the gay marriage debate comes with a side: a discussion of which words properly describe it.
“I think language is critical to any debate,” says Vermont lobbyist Tim Meehan, who’s not involved in the issue. “How you say it drives the train.”
Vermont, which led the nation in establishing civil unions nine years ago, is weighing whether to go a step further and permit gay and lesbian couples to marry. A bill allowing same-sex marriages has been approved by the state Senate, and the House is scheduled to take it up Thursday. Gov. Jim Douglas has said he will veto it if it reaches his desk.
Supporters use the terms “marriage equality” and “freedom to marry,” and speak of the bill as a civil rights measure. Opponents say that trivializes African-Americans’ historic struggle against slavery and racism, and that granting same-sex couples the right would diminish traditional marriage. Gay rights advocates say traditional marriage is exactly what they want.
