Language Change Frightens Clark DeLeon

Clark DeLeon’s Metro column today avoids defending the little guy and instead attacks him (and him and her and her) by explaining his opposition to gay marriage.

Unlike others, DeLeon’s opposition to gay marriage isn’t because of religious or squeamish reasons. At least that’s not what he says. It’s due to the fact that, well, letting two people of the same sex marry would just confuse him:

I don’t know why the state decided that one man can’t marry two women, or that two women can’t marry a 12-year-old boy, but I agree with those prohibitions on an intuitive level. … Forget the arguments, both legal and emotional. Consider the fate of the language. Remember when “partner” meant a co-equal in business or tennis? Subtlely, noticeably, people don’t use the word “partner” the way they used to. Without knowing why, I always hated the word “queer.” Now it’s in the name of a TV show. The rules of language — the meaning of words — changes. But certain words have immutable definitions.

You hear that gays! You’ve already ruined the word partner and Clark DeLeon doesn’t want anyone thinking his tennis partner is his gay partner! You selfish bastards, wanting this whole “gay marriage” thing without thinking what it does to poor Metro columnists.

State of marriage complex enough [Metro]
May 30: Goliath vs. Goliath