A statement of the obvious:
“It seems to me that maybe something that goes without saying needs to be said again– one of the steps that any sane policymaker would take to slow the resurgence of HIV infection among gay men would be to recognize– and, indeed, encourage– gay marriages. Obviously, marriage is not for everyone, straight or gay, but the availability of marriage inarguably decreases the spread of STD’s among straights. Why wouldn’t it have the same effect among gays? It certainly couldn’t hurt.
And by the way, I don’t think the effect would be limited to those gays who actually get married. After all, the dating patterns of many straights are geared towards eventual marriage, i.e., “settling down” with the right person. Thus, many straights who are not married are in long-term monogamous relationships with people that they are considering marrying at some point. These straights are at low risk for spreading STD’s just as married straights are.
If there is a resurgence of HIV infection among gays– and I hope that isn’t the case– it seems to me that it would simply constitute one more reason why gays should have the same right to marry as straights do.”
Absolutely. When you look at the crystal meth epidemic or the underlying psychological reasons to pursue sex for sex’s sake, you have to include the fact that gay teens and gay men have close to no social incentives for coupling or monogamy. One reason I support civil marriage is to change the dynamic for the socialization of homosexuals, to tackle the low self-esteem that can lead to social problems, to give gay kids a sense of a real and responsible future, rather than simply a void where they will be condemned however they live their lives. Marriage will save and lengthen gay lives, as it saves and lengthens straight ones. There will be no ultimate solution to HIV in the next gay generation without it.
The Dish 