I still like 'tax the churches'. It has a nice ring and a solid history.

I'm still with you Chris. The ridiculousnessnessness of it offends me. I abhor such symbolism and I really cant for the life of me understand why it is a matter of 'equality'. I mean really.

What's going to happen. The next day after gay people are allowed to marry all bigots and homophobes will suddenly see the light, and gay couples who have loved each other for 20 years will suddenly get married and it will make their relationships complete? Give me a break!

I'm not religious, and I don't really care that much, but I CAN see the stupidity of it all. I'm a good spotter of stupidity I am.

Once again, I feel I must take this opportunity to highlight the inequity in me not being recognised as the mother of my children. Sure I am their father,I am their parent, but to be the mother, well that brings with it a more genuine and legitimate connotation of being a nurturer of children, and I want that title. If the government refuses to acknowledge the motherly relationship I have with my children, and recognise me as a mother, even though I am male, I just cant go on. I want equality!

I suggest this string be given the chop - it's getting beyond stupid

Well, mother is just a word. Words change meaning all the time.

I'm sure all the mothers out there wont find it upsetting at all. How does it affect their mothering of their children for me to become a mother? It's bigotry I tell you! Of masclaphobia! They just don't like men and they don't want men to be able to be societally accepted as nurturing mothers.

See, if I could be called a mother, the next time I take photos of my kids at the beach, nobody would be at all suspicious I was a filthy pervert. It's part of having my relationship with my children become truly acceptable, and the government must help with some symbolism.

From the responses I know you've elicited from some/many posters in the past, Houellebecq, I don't understand why they're not rushing at the opportunity to call you a real mother-... ?

>>If the government refuses to acknowledge the motherly relationship I have with my children, and recognise me as a mother, even though I am male, I just cant go on. I want equality!<<

And I fully support your right to equality, Houllebecq! But do bear in mind the Horace quote.

I think you'll find that even with a big stamp of approval from the Man, calling yourself a mother won't make people perceive you as a mother. They'll just think you're a weirdo. Whereas I regard committed long-term relationships between homosexuals as marriages in everything but the strictly legal sense. It is a usage which regulates the laws and conventions of speech, not a government decree.

>>See, if I could be called a mother, the next time I take photos of my kids at the beach, nobody would be at all suspicious I was a filthy pervert.<<

Why not just lose the shabby raincoat and brown-tinted aviator sunglasses? They're a bit of a giveaway.

It would take way less effort than single-handedly trying to change patterns of English usage.

Cheers,

Tony