The simple fact is that there is no good reason why we should deny marriage to same-sex partners. On the other hand, there are many reasons why we should formally recognize these relationships....
.....
Conservatives and liberals alike need to come together on principles that surely unite us. Certainly, we can agree on the value of strong families, lasting domestic relationships, and communities populated by persons with recognized and sanctioned bonds to one another. Confining some of our neighbors and friends who share these same values to an outlaw or second-class status undermines their sense of belonging and weakens their ties with the rest of us and what should be our common aspirations....
When we refuse to accord this status to gays and lesbians, we discourage them from forming the same relationships we encourage for others.... I cannot imagine how we benefit as a society by doing so.
via www.newsweek.com
Former US Solicitor General Ted Olson in Newsweek has made the conservative case for extending the right of civil marriage to same-sex couples. It's a case made on this blog, most recently here. The conservative case for marriage is one grounded both in the principle of equality under the law and pragmaticism.
Libertarian-leaning conservative commentator Andrew Sullivan's reaction.
You can read Olson's opening statement as prepared (Perry v. Schwarzenegger) here.
