The Gay Marriage Debate: Tradition

Although the thought of legalizing gay marriage raises controversy due to its obvious refutation of tradition, it should be noted that several other "traditions" in society have also been overturned over the years. Here are just a few:

• Divorce (now legal and accepted)
• Acceptance of interracial marriage
• Allowance of contraception within marriage
• Women are no longer considered property of their husbands
• Polygamy has been outlawed

The Gay Marriage Debate: Social Argument

Whether we wish to accept it or not, in this country, marriage is often treated like a glorified business transaction. For this reason, gay marriage has received a critical eye. How productive can a gay couple be in society if they cannot produce offspring (and thereby contribute to society as a whole)? This argument has been undercut with counter arguments that by that logic, menopausal women or sterile men should not be allowed to marry. However, some still maintain that the social construct of marriage should remain male-female in order to preserve cultural traditions. Today, active steps are being made by policymakers and the public to reverse this thinking.

The Gay Marriage Debate: Religious Argument

Much of the gay marriage controversy stems from religious beliefs that state that marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. In essence this is due to the belief that much of marriage's purpose is toward procreation, and therefore the propagation of a larger religious community. The Roman Catholic Church is often thought to lead this manner of thinking, further stipulating that acts of sexuality between same-sex couples is actually immoral. However, more progressive religious communities have rethought this stance, asserting that the laws of early patriarchal religions do not apply to today's world.

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

An old joke is that you could identify a lesbian by her footwear. Comfortable shoes equalled gay woman. While to some extent this is true today -- you don't often see lesbians decked out in stiletto heels -- there is no reason why lesbian women can't be fashionable with their footwear. From sexy cowboy or biker boots to toe-revealing sandals, there are plenty for fashion-forward gay women to choose from. Trends to avoid are anything that stereotypes you as butch. Unless you're working on the farm or a construction site, stay away from steel-toed workboots!

Lesbian Hairstyles

Long gone are lesbian mullets, thankfully. These days, if you want the hippest lesbian hairstyles, have a look at popular lesbian shows like "The L Word." What seems to be the biggest trend right now is the long shag. Playfully butch, but not over the top, the long shag seems to offer the best of both worlds. It works great for the office as a business-appropriate look, but can also be spiked and teased a bit for nights out and casual encounters after hours. The best part about this cut is that it's easy to maintain. Who wants to spend hours in front of the mirror primping, anyway? The long shag is as easy as wash and go, with a little run-through of gelled fingers before you leave to separate the layers. Easy and sexy.