Second of two parts
Re “Clarke Welcomes Gay Marriage Although He Has Questions”
[img]1792|right|Jim Clarke||no_popup[/img]City Councilman Jim Clarke did not reach for shrubbery to use as cover when asked about gay marriage’s long legal leap forward this week, with a hefty shove from the Supreme Court.
“I believe in the right of people who are in love with each other to be able to marry,” said the 65-year-old Councilman, who is religious. “As long as they are consenting adults.”
Why is it not satisfactory for two such persons of the same sex to live together?
“There is a greater commitment in terms of marriage. Plus, there are many legal advantages. Living together doesn’t give you any legal rights, any beneficiary rights or things like life insurance or being able to visit in a hospital when somebody is sick. Owning property should be included, too.
“Many legal topics are involved,” said Mr. Clarke, but No. 1 may be: “There is more commitment with a marriage.”
How do you feel about this apparently being the first legalization of gay marriage in history?
“I don’t know how to respond to that.”
Mr. Clarke stressed that gay marriage is not federal law and that “approval still is on a state-by-state basis.”
Is there a downside to gay marriage and the speed with which it is gaining momentum?
“It’s a change, and people will have to adjust. Some people will be able to do it. Others won’t.
“There also is a questioning in the church community when social practices and terms are different from what church teachings are,” said Mr. Clarke, a regular churchgoer. “The Pope is holding a synod because people are questioning whether there still should be celibacy for priests and whether women should have rights in the church and about divorce, whether you can receive Communion, whether there should be excommunication over divorce, and whether you could get married again.
“It is an age-old question,” said the Councilman. “Do you have a set of values and principles that do not change? Or do you have a set that reflect changes in society?”
That may be Mr. Clarke’s most important, most meaningful question.
