Gay Marriage: Avoid the religious-secular divide

By Kevin Kervick
Which is a trap set by Progressives who wish to paint those that are against gay marriage as religious zealots.

My position on marriage is thus:

I believe the marriage between a man and a woman is the primary building block of a healthy community. Society has an investment in privileging this complimentary relationship because it provides an essential public good. Unfortunately, state laws sometimes undermine the marriage institution rather than reinforce its value. I will vote for bills that strengthen this important institution and against bills that I believe would undermine the institution of marriage.

I have worked extensively as a marriage and family therapist and community builder to promote healthy marriages as an integral aspect of healthy communities. Marriage is a protective factor that reduces the incidence of poverty, intimate partner violence, child abuse, substance abuse, and child anti-social behavior. I have helped many couples avoid the tragedy of divorce. I have also helped people in abusive marriages find their way out of them when that is the only alternative. Rebuilding a healthy marriage culture in New Hampshire and the United States is at the top of my list of priorities because I believe it would solve many of our nation’s problems.

I believe it is still important to take a stand in favor or preserving one-man one-woman marriage. I love and respect my gay friends and family members, and respect the opinions of those that see this as a civil rights issue. While I do not support changing the definition of marriage to include gay and lesbian partnerships, I do support full legal partnerships (civil unions) for any consenting adults.

Kevin Kervick - Candidate for State Representative, District 30, Portsmouth