Anthropology and Gay Marriages

As Americans, we who consider ourselves a moral majority generally view the idea of gay marriage as some sort of social taboo. This is a result of a long-standing hangup America has with the sexual ramifications of marriage. Puritanical influence suggests anything outside of a man-woman marriage relationship would be considred socially unacceptable. Anthropological research, however, shows that there are many culturally diverse forms of marriage which have gained social acceptance in the Western world. …

…marital partnership that is best suited for two individuals is in tune with the progressively changing nature of our modern American society. We may conservatively view gay marriage as being "one step closer to Soddom and Gommorah", but in a country who prides itself on civil rights, denying gay citizens the right to marry may express a rejection of civil rights tradition and allow our country to regress into politics of exclusion. (Washington post.com)