Gay Rights

Today had an interesting discussion with a few friends about gay rights. To put on record, I was an anti-gay, to the extent I considered them perverts and not fit to live in a human society. And I considered myself rigid. So, in the arguments about they are human and free society, I had a hard time coming to terms with giving any person his rights which are unnatural. I offered a cogent argument about why gays want marriage right. because of tax benefits. everybody agreed. And governement gives tax benefits to couples, for having a child, because having a child is important for the country. It might be hard to believe in India, but all european countries are facing huge problems with low child birth, and hence the government gives various sops to get marries, to have a child etcetra. Gays just want a piece of the pie. I was adamant that a child needs to parents to have a healthy childhood. One moment, an argument from Raj struck me - he mentioned that only spouses get visitation rights in hospital. And a gay partner of a person dying in hospital bed was denied the right to see him/her. This appealed to my sense of rightiousness. We agreed on this. I still oppose calling 2 gays living together as marriage. It just sullies the noble institution of marriage. But, I am for giving them all other rights which a spouse might enjoy.

hmmm...never thought I would change on this issue. but, yes. I have changed. Marginally but distinctly. I do not have any problems with people not following my beliefs, as long as it does not affect society at large. But, I just want to carry this argument further. Equate people with countries. And now, if China can have nuclear weapons, by the same law of equality, why not Iran?