The fight for gay marriage is only the start of a long struggle

The fight for marriage equality must not be construed as an end in itself, but only the beginning of a much longer struggle, writes Dr Laurence Davis.

TWO ideological positions currently dominate the public debate on gay marriage.

The first is conservative opposition. Consistent with values of support for tradition and commitment to ‘natural’ hierarchy, authority, and property, conservative critics of gay marriage have portrayed it as a symbol of a permissive society. They have also depicted it as a mortal threat to one of the most venerable social institutions (‘traditional’ marriage and family) stemming an historical post-religious tide towards individualism and moral relativism.