Gay marriages have been of rather intense discussion lately.  Gay Rights Activists vs. The Right Wing.  It's been Gays who want to live their lives vs. gays who think it's giving into the heterosexual ideals.  It's society vs. anti-society.  Everyone has a stance on it, everyone has an opinion as to wether or not gay marriage really has a place in overall society.

     I, myself, have been of mixed feelings on the matter.  Always.  When I was first introduced to the gay lifestyle, I thought it was a nutty idea, and had no place in society.  As I grew into our lifestyle, the idea settled more, but I still thought it was for those who had been together for years and years, and nothing was going to rock that foundation.

     Then I went to the opposite end of the spectrum, and thought that it was just another way to buy into the heterosexual regiment.  The idea of the house, 2 car garage, and 2.5 kids and a dog at my feet wasn't my idea of life.  Well, I mean, I was 22 also, and most decidedly against lifelong commitment.

     I'm no longer at a crossroad with gay marriages.  I have been proposed to recently, and took just a tad under a nano-second to say yes.  When we find, which I hope we all do, that one person that we know we can't live without, there's no question to it.  It's simply nothing more than an open commitment celebrated in the most traditional sense.  Had I not said yes, it would have made little difference, methinks.  We would still spend our lives together, probably go out some lazy weekend and buy rings, and wear them for the same intent.  We would live together, and lead a "married" life.

    It is my humble opinion, that as you are comfortable, including those closest to you is quite simply another detail.  To make a presentation of it, the commitment doesn't become more or less real.  It's the ideal of sharing with friends and family.  I can say that I think it makes for a more social moment.  Even a little scary to think about standing before those who matter to me most, and saying to all of them at once, I Love This Man, and We're Husbands Now.  

     So, ideals change as we grow as a person.  We give up the all nighters, the boys night out on a trim hunt, the little black books, the personal freedom.  We trade off for something more, I think.  Because we don't previously know that freedom is biggest cage of all.  That knowing someone is always there for you, and cares in a way no one else will.  That by being beholden to no one, and needed by no one is solitude, and that my friends, is the ultimate of cages.      

By: C. H. Huke, Jr.

My thoughts and Ideas on a weekly basis.  USA Today wouldn't give me a column, so... hehehe... I guess I'll have to do it on my own.  

The main purpose of this column is a place for me to RANT & RAVE about things I want to share with those of you who care enough to check back with it. 

Comments are welcomed, just E-Mail me your thoughts.