The real me

Supporters of traditional marriage will need more than rational arguments to win | Janie B. Cheaney

Illustration by Krieg Barrie

One of the more compelling arguments in favor of same-sex marriage is that it rights an ancient wrong: the denial to an entire class of people of the right to live in accord with their true selves, with the same rights as others who are more favored. Sexuality (the argument goes) is as much a part of who one is as skin color. The prejudice against biracial marriage fell years ago; isn't it time for the bias against same-sex marriage to go as well?

But one's "true self" is a tougher proposition than a physical characteristic. Some homosexuals believe they were hard-wired from birth: "God made me this way." Others believe they were led or even misled. Others float between a sexual preference for men and for women, or both at the same time, or even a feeling that in their inmost being they are some other gender than they were physically born.