Cultural warriors

Huh -- never thought of it in quite these terms:

Some couples, including longtime partners and those with children, have rejected marriage for economic, philosophical or cultural reasons.

“I just don't really see the point in it,” said Michelle Smith, 51, of Truro, who has two children with Terri Humes, 51, her partner of 27 years. “I don't need that paper for any type of validation. I know what her and I have.”

Ms. Kauffman considers marriage a “patriarchal institution” that “politically, kind of makes me queasy.”

To Clint Wolbert, 28, marriage is too “assimilative.” Being gay is like belonging to an “exclusive club,” Mr. Wolbert said. “I just worry that the drive to marry will end up kind of chipping away at the culture.”

I guess that makes gay marriage like a Cochlear implant, which many reject because it "dilutes the deaf culture." Patriarchal institution? Crap. The main purpose of marriage is rein in men's baser instincts and civilize them. Given that, maybe Michelle Smith has a point.