UK and Same Sex Marriage

Is this real life or is this just fantasy?

It became a defining moment in the House of Commons on July 17th as it was announced that the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill had officially received the royal assent. Meaning, that by next spring, same sex Couples will be able to enter into marriage. A landmark change as it was acknowledged not only by those who voted in favour and supported the bill, but also by those who had their skepticism.

Caught in a landslide

For an American, such as myself, it's a little envious to see how quickly the MPs were able to capture when public opinion had become right to introduce the legislation, and the relative fast speed the bill made it to the Queen. So fast, in fact, that the process prompted one MP to comment "astonishing that a bill for which there is absolutely no mandate has been bulldozed through both houses."

For reference, the bill had it's first reading on 24 January 2013 and now being 17 July 2013, that would count out to  174 days from start to finish.

Anywhere the wind blows doesn't really matter to me

The debate over Same Sex marriage is far from over, not only in the United Kingdom, but in much of the Western world. Many groups, or traditional organizations against same-sex marriage voiced their opinions and disappointments over the passing of the bill. However, it's a strength within the bill that the continued discussion of opposing views is still allowed. The bill didn't try to take a moral stance on the issue, and was argued for on a legal basis as well as the projection of the United Kingdom as a society that recognizes a lapse in equality. Having a different opinion is still completely acceptable. That's the development that I admire most.

Escape from reality

It's the sentiment the law doesn't impose a belief or an opinion on the governed that seems to be lost in the United States debate not just on the topic of Same Sex couples. For example, any attempts to cut or restructure the social security system instantly are criticized as "leaving Grandma to die." There are legitimate complaints that extending marriage rights will lead to more homosexual children. Health care reform will only lead to a socialist society. It's not healthy for a democracy to use emotion arguments in place of facts, such as the funds being paid out far outpace what was/is being paid into the system, or the unaltered rising rates of health care in a time of recession, and worse that sociology shows no link between law makers and sexual preferences. Some of this just perpetuates the idea that lawmakers are out of touch with reality.

With the U.S. and U.K. relationship seemingly so close at times I hope we can take away two things from this current event; #1 a more mature and rational argument based system for law and #2 that a nation can't cherry pick equalities forever

That said the political love test between UK and Same Sex Marriage: Passionate

And if you didn't get my section titles : a song