This is what I was looking for.
Personally, I think that "civil" marriage (as distinct from the religious variety) should be available from the government to all who seek it.
Whether you are a straight couple without religious convictions, a gay couple, or a Man/TS
couple, you should be able to register at a government office as "married" and by so doing
gain access to all of the "legal" (i.e. governmentally created and sanctioned) benefits and preferences of marriage, including taxation, inheritance, property division, estates, etc.
Requirements should be simple...not a minor,
not a mental defective or adjudicated incompetent,
and perhaps some qualification of togetherness as a couple (perhaps a pre-marital cohabitation requirement) and ability to maintain a common household (require pre-marital counseling, as many religious bodies do).
The religious communities will never in this or any other lifetime sanction marriage OTHER than that of man to woman, preferably of the same race, ethnicity, and religious affiliation. They would, in fact, prefer if not REQUIRE that those who do not fit this mold remain both unmarried AND
celibate.
But, I believe society is strengthened, not weakened, when consenting adults, of whatever sexual persuasion, enter into officially sanctioned relationships of mutual love, support,
and togetherness. The evidence is overwhelming
that people in long-term, permanent relationships
are happier, healthier, more stable, and more responsible and productive than those who are not.
The benefit to society, then, is obvious.
Good effort everyone. Great insights. More "topics" will follow.
TA