Blog
Statement on Gay Marriage
As President of the University of York Students' Union, the comments of our Archbishop John Sentamu to the Telegraph about gay marriage were extremely disappointing. It is sad to see such a prominent member of the Anglican Church fall back on arguments of tradition and language to warn against the end of legalised discrimination of gay couples.
As a representative of 14,000 students in York, I find it deeply distressing that the Archbishop of our city would speak out so boldly in favour of such an archaic view: same-sex couples should not enjoy the same rights and privileges of hetro-sexual couples. Whilst the Archbishop may say that it is not the place of the government to define what marriage is, I would argue that it is the state’s responsibility to ensure that all UK citizens can enjoy equal rights regardless of their sexual orientation. It is not the place of the church to use outdated and homophobic rhetoric to deny citizens of their right to marry.
As society changes, so does the meaning of language and relationships. Marriage in its essence is about two people committing themselves to each other on a permanent and exclusive basis. In the past marriage has been restricted to a man and a woman but in this day and age, as we develop a better understanding of sexuality, it is time that the Church of England realised that love and devotion is not gender specific.
I hope that the government realises in its consultation in March, that the continued discrimination that gay couples face in the marriage system is not acceptable and should be tolerated no longer.
Tim Ellis
YUSU President
