e dinner with family or friends, participate in sports and community organizations and events. And yes, they still hold stable relationships, just like a man and women would, they still go through the ups and downs of a relationship, facing the same joyous moments, and same hard times with an individual they love. The homophobia that has spread through our country like wildfire since the "outing" of homosexuals became more common and acceptable undermines these common variables between homosexual and heterosexual couples. One of the largest differences for a homosexual is living a life of fear. Along with all of their day to day activities that mirror any heterosexual, they must also deal with the stress of being "different" and being "unacceptable" to the society which they are a part of. They must know the places they are welcomed as an "outted" gay person, and the ones where they must hide their true identities. As well, they are not granted many of the rights a heterosexual takes for granted. They cannot file for taxes along with their partner, cannot receive medical benefits or health insurance under their partners coverage, as most husband and wives do, and most essentially, they cannot create a bond of unity to express their love through a legal marriage (France, 2/2000 p2). Marriage has been a unique part of our culture since its beginning. Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines marriage as "to join or unite a husband and wife." As well, many churches quote like definitions. The Catholic Church, for example, relies on Jesus’ statement about a man and his wife becoming one flesh, never to be separated ( Egelko, 3/2000 p1). And West Virginia Governor, Cecil Underwood, just asked the legislature to put on all marriage licenses and applications: "Marriage is designed to be a loving and lifelong union between a woman and a man" (Bundy, 1/2000 p1). The debate comes over whether or not these definitions are ...
