Question

I'm having a debate about gay marriage. & I'm arguing that people should have the right to marry who they please because church & state are separate & the constitution grants people rights, including marriage rights.
If my opponent says then if everyone has rights, why can't a 35 year old man have the right to marry a 17 year old or cousins have the right to marry each other? What would be a good thing for me to respond?

Answer 1

In the case of the 35- and 17-year old, that depends upon state law. In most states 17-year-olds can marry with parental consent. Age laws are designed to protect children. Gay and lesbian marriage has nothing to do with protecting kids.

First cousins are allowed to marry in a few states.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States_by_state

The reason behind the cousin laws is that cousins are more likely to produce handicapped children. Again, the law is in place to protect children.