Redefinition and Proposition 8

First, I must openly state that I support California's Proposition 8 which will restore traditional marriage by defining it in the California Constitution as the union between a man and a woman.

What has precipitated the current debate over same-gender marriage in California is the California Supreme Court's overtly stated ruling that marriage must be redefined. The Supreme Court even suggests that the legislature may want to seek definitions that would allow domestic partnerships to be called marriages while still allowing religious groups to use a word that would distinguish their marriages from the more general type to be allowed by the state.

Since redefinition of a word to mean something vastly different from its original meaning is at the core of the debate over Proposition 8, I think that it would be useful to illuminate, at least, the shifting meanings of some key words associated with it, then explain how I plan to frame my own discourse.

Gay
"Gay" has long ceased to mean "happy or joyful." It almost always means "homosexual" as both a noun and an adjective. It usually means male homosexual, but it may include females, especially when it is used in a political context. The expression, "That's so gay," is considered hate speech because it usually implies the idea that something is bad, and it conveys that badness by associating it with homosexuality.

"Gay marriage" has come to mean same gender marriage. Because of its political connotations, I avoid its use. I prefer the more specific "same-gender marriage."

Homosexual, bisexual, homophobic
"Homosexual" as a noun ought to mean a person that has sexual relations exclusively with someone of the same gender. It is often used to refer to someone who has only desires for sexual relations with the same gender. I believe this latter definition is incorrect; homosexuality ought to refer to the actions not the desires of people.

Because "homosexual" frequently becomes a label for someone who desires sexual relations with the same gender, or who has physical characteristics that are stereotypically associated with homosexuals, the label is difficult. I am certain that it has the danger of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

"Homosexual" is often mistakenly used to mean "bisexual." "Homosexual" is exclusive same-gender sexuality; "bisexual" is non-exclusive; for political reasons, many bisexuals are called "gay" or "homosexual" when they have actually practiced bisexuality. People who marry the opposite gender and successfully conceive children should more properly be termed bisexual.

Bisexuality creates problems for those who would argue that homosexuality is an immutable characteristic. Bisexuality means choice, and those who suggest that people may choose their sexuality are usually shouted down. Furthermore, pederasts are frequently bisexuals, though homosexual apologists prefer to characterize them as heterosexuals.

"Homophobia" originally meant "unreasonable fear of homosexuals or homosexuality." As long ago as 1992, a large US school district defined it as "intolerance of homosexuality." There is a vast difference between the two definitions, but the difference is rarely clarified.

Resolution
I think it's important to be specific when discussing the issue, and to avoid vague, multi-definitional words. I use "same-gender marriage" to refer to the proposed redefinition of marriage. I use "bi-gender marriage" to describe the historical marriage between man and woman. I prefer "same-gender attraction" when I refer to the condition that causes homosexuality.

If someone asks me if I'm homophobic, I ask them to define the word. Am I afraid, rationally or not, of homosexuals and homosexuality? No. Am I intolerant of homosexuality? Yes. I am intolerant of anything that is destructive of individuals or humanity, and homosexuality is destructive of both.

In the heat of rhetoric, it is important make sure what you agree to or disagree with is properly defined and very specific.

Frankly, it would be easier if meanings of such simple words as "marriage" would not change.