A Marriage Manifesto...of Sorts

[Shana A]

A Marriage Manifesto...of Sorts
by Meteor Blades
Tue Nov 25, 2008 at 07:42:20 PM PST

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/25/22205/855/641/666505

Normally, I write my own Diaries. But tonight, I've given over most of my space to photographer Tom Ackerman, who gave me permission to reprint his November 17 essay published at religion dispatches, A Marriage Manifesto... Of Sorts.

I no longer recognize marriage. It's a new thing I'm trying.

Turns out it's fun.

Yesterday I called a woman's spouse her boyfriend.

   She says, correcting me, "He's my husband,"
   "Oh," I say, "I no longer recognize marriage."

The impact is obvious. I tried it on a man who has been in a relationship for years,

   "How's your longtime companion, Jill?"
   "She's my wife!"
   "Yeah, well, my beliefs don't recognize marriage."

Fun. And instant, eyebrow-raising recognition. Suddenly the majority gets to feel what the minority feels. In a moment they feel what it's like to have their relationship downgraded, and to have a much taken-for-granted right called into question because of another's beliefs.

[lady amarant]

What a brilliant idea. I think I'll adopt that.

~Simone.

[Shana A]

An Interesting Social Experiment
Filed by: Waymon Hudson
November 26, 2008 1:00 PM

http://www.bilerico.com/2008/11/an_interesting_social_experiment.php

I recently came across an interesting blog post over at Religion Dispatches. Tom Ackerman published his "Marriage Manifesto", which is a fun little social experiment and statement that I think I might try during this holiday season.

Ackerman decides to launch an experiment with language love, and the law:

    I no longer recognize marriage. It's a new thing I'm trying.

    Turns out it's fun.

Fun indeed! Ackerman decided to no longer recognize the marriages of those around him, much like what happened in the last election. It's an interesting idea.