"homosexual relations is [sic] a dangerous health risk"

Blogger/commenter Jonathan had this to say about one of my gay marriage posts of a few days ago:

After reading this post, I feel that it is my duty to water down some of your main points regarding same-sex marriage. Let me answer all of your objections here so as to crumble some of the ground you are standing on:

You are misguided on the polygamy vs. gay marriage point. It is a bit like saying "it is okay to fall in love with many different people, but not more than one at a time." Well, I do not see the problem with the state condoning polygamy when it does condone people cheating on each other. That is, if I go cheat on my girlfriend, what is the state going to do about that? Nothing. Thus, the discrimination against polygamous people is arbitrarily enforced -- not merely against homosexuals.

To say a law is wrong because it is arbitrary is treading on risky ground. Law IS arbitrary. Prison sentences are arbitrary. Taxes are arbitrary. With regards to "equal rights," why am I allowed free speech that is limited through laws against libel and defamation? You cannot justly speak of an unlimited right. Why is equality any different?

Next, people without a good sense of history seem to think that marriage and romance were always linked at the hip. The result is that people think marriage is and has always been about love. That said, your challenge " I have yet to hear an argument as to why it is any less valid than heterosexual love" misses the point. Heterosexual marriage is not unique due to its validity or even love elements. Thus, your point is answered ("Namely, but for the fact that they are homosexual, there is no criterion that straight partners wishing to marry one another must meet in order to obtain a marriage license that gay partners would fail to meet.")

Marriage is unique because it is a biological fact. Marriage enshrines this fact, this one union flesh -- consummation -- into law. A man and a woman unite together to form a unique principle that cannot be attained in other relations. Homosexual relations cannot achieve this union due to the biological reality of two men or women.

With regards to your "practical reasons" for keeping incest and polyganous marriage illegal, you should also consider adding homosexuality to that list if you wish to follow that type of reasoning.
1) homosexuals are not immune from abuse and rape
2) homosexual marriage does not produce birth defects, but the statistics show that homosexual relations is a dangerous health risk:

- "Of the 298,248 men (of 13 years or older) who were living with AIDS 57% were men who had sex with men (MSM)" - CDC (http://www.avert.org/statsum.htm).

- "Homosexuals account for 3-4% of all gonorrhea cases, 60% of all syphilis cases, and 17% of all hospital admissions (other than for STDs) in the United States" despite only making up 1-2 percent of the total population. ("Changes in Sexual Behavior and Incidence of Gonorrhea." Lancet, April 25, 1987)

- "The median age of death of homosexuals is 42 (only 9% live past age 65). This drops to 39 if the cause of death is AIDS. The median age of death of a married heterosexual man is 75." (numerous studies)

- The Medical Institute of Sexual Health reports [ Executive Summary, "Health Implications Associated with Homosexuality," 1999]: - "Homosexual men are at significantly increased risk of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, anal cancer, gonorrhea and gastrointestinal infections as a result of their sexual practices." - "Women who have sex with women are at significantly increased risk of bacterial vaginosis, breast cancer and ovarian cancer than are heterosexual women." - "Domestic violence is...probably more common among homosexuals than among heterosexuals." - "Significantly higher percentages of homosexual men and women abuse drugs, alcohol and tobacco than do heterosexuals."

Fisking to follow.