The Antient and Honorable

John Adams Society



March 24, 2003
University Club, Saint Paul
Click Here for an interative map to the location.


"Marriage isn't supposed to make you happy, it's supposed to make you married."

- Frank Pittman

 

Social movements in the United States, are impossible to stop if the opposition is weak. While opposition to gay marriage may seem strong, the will to actively oppose gay marriage is weak. Many conservatives have difficulty opposing gay marriage because, while the reasons to oppose marriage seem distant and complex, the contradictions, such as the suppression of liberty, in opposing it are more simple and reminiscent of previous injustices. Gay marriage is inevitable because the average person cannot understand why it should be opposed.

 

Further, because opponents to gay marriage do not have the will to impose severe punishments for these law-breakers, civil disobedience to marriage laws will become common until the disobedience is ignored and socially accepted. Gay marriage is inevitable because opposing it takes too much work to thwart a potential threat.

 

on the other hand, proponents of gay marriage want more than just a legal document; they want their marriage to be socially accepted in generally the same manner as heterosexual marriage. But current polls show that gay marriage will not be accepted, and courts and civil disobedience cannot force the average person on the street to change his or her attitudes. Social legislation often fails because it has no active support. For gay marriage to be accepted it will require the average person to actively endorse it, and because men and women are forever different, so will traditional marriage remain forever different from “gay marriage.”

 

The chairman , in a happy, but not gay, marriage himself, has called for a debate to settle the question:

 

 

Resolved: Gay marriage is inevitable

 

The Debate will be held on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o'clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. While there is no dress code for attendance, gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies should adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen who arrive tieless yet wish to speak, fret not: the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand at least one of his quite remarkable ties for just such an eventuality. Questions about debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at 952-546-3513 or the Secretary at (952) 937-7630.

If you would like to receive email announcements of upcoming debates, email the John Adams Society with your name, email address, and a simple statement requesting future "Whip Sheets" via email.