In a July 2 news brief e-mailed to CitizenLink subscribers, Focus on the Family gripes that the Chicago area has begun to treat gay domestic partnerships fairly — charging gay couples the same $30 certificate fee that married couples are charged.
In my view, if government is going to be involved in marriage at all, and if we really want to put teeth in public policy toward marriage, then the government should charge all couples far more to ensure a strong commitment. Perhaps the fee — say, $10,000 — could be refunded at the 10-year anniversary, with much smaller amounts returned for marriages that end early.
Focus on the Family’s defense of a cheap marriage fee for heterosexuals cheapens marriage.