Who Needs a License?

One of the more self-righteous pieces of legislation passed by the Legislature this year was the same-sex marriage ban. This explicitly prohibited same-sex marriages made in Hawaii (the only state to offer them) from being accepted in Colorado. Fortunately, Governor Romer vetoed it, though he indicated his support for marriage as a legal contract only "between a man and a woman."

I think this bill was a terrible and mean-spirited idea, unfortunately typical of Republicans, who claim they want less government intrusion only until they see a chance to impose some facet of their personal values on everybody else by using it. Why shouldn't gay marriages made in Hawaii (or anywhere for that matter) be considered just as valid as those of any sort contracted in Colorado? Besides, Article IV of the U.S. Constitution says: "Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and Judicial Proceedings of every other State..."

But the underlying question seems to be: who says the blessing of the state is required in order to enjoy a committed intimate relationship? While I think anyone who wishes to apply for a marriage license ought to be able to get one, I also think the law should not discriminate against those who choose not to apply at all.