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Fights over same-sex marriage-- and now, polygamy-- have generated plenty of heat. But they've also shed light on the many kinds of kinship and flavors of family. Last summer a handful of activists, under the banner "Beyond Marriage," came together to argue for broadening the gay marriage battle, which still rages in the US. Why not seek recognition for all the diverse ways people organize their lives together-- for companionship, affection, sex, love, care, offspring, and economics? What follows is the summary. For the full statement-- or to sign on yourself-- browse to Beyondmarriage.org .

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The time has come to reframe the narrow terms of the marriage debate in the US. Conservatives are seeking to enshrine discrimination in the Constitution through the Federal Marriage Amendment. But their opposition to same-sex marriage is only one part of a broader pro-marriage, "family values" agenda that includes abstinence-only sex education, stringent divorce laws, coercive marriage-promotion policies directed toward women on welfare, and attacks on reproductive freedom. As well, a 30-year political assault on the social safety net has left households with more burdens and fewer resources.

Meanwhile, the GLBT movement has recently focused on marriage equality as a stand-alone issue. While this strategy may secure rights and benefits for some GLBT families, it has left us isolated and vulnerable to a virulent backlash. We must respond to the full scope of the conservative marriage agenda by building alliances across issues and constituencies. Our strategies must be visionary, creative, and practical to counter the right's powerful and effective use of marriage as a "wedge" issue that pits one group against another. The struggle for marriage rights should be part of a larger effort to strengthen the stability and security of diverse households and families. To that end, we advocate:

· Legal recognition for a wide range of relationships, households and families-- regardless of kinship or conjugal status.

· Access for all, regardless of marital or citizenship status, to vital government support programs including but not limited to health care, housing, Social Security and pension plans, disaster recovery assistance, unemployment insurance and welfare assistance.

· Separation of church and state in all matters, including regulation and recognition of relationships, households, and families.

· Freedom from state regulation of our sexual lives, identities, and expression.

Marriage is not the only worthy form of family or relationship, and it should not be legally and economically privileged above all others. A majority of people-- whatever their sexual and gender identities-- do not live in traditional nuclear families. They stand to gain from alternative forms of household recognition beyond one-size-fits-all marriage. For example:

· Single parent households
· Senior citizens living together and serving as each other's caregivers (think "Golden Girls")
· Blended and extended families
· Children being raised in multiple households or by unmarried parents
· Adult children living with and caring for their parents
· Senior citizens who are the primary caregivers to their grandchildren or other relatives
· Close friends or siblings living in non-conjugal relationships and serving as each other's primary support and caregivers
· Households in which there is more than one conjugal partner
· Care-giving relationships that provide support to those living with extended illness such as HIV/AIDS.

The current debate over marriage, same-sex and otherwise, ignores the needs and desires of so many in a nation where household diversity is the demographic norm. We seek to reframe this debate.

Author Profile:  Bill Andriette
Bill Andriette is features editor of The Guide
Email:	theguide@guidemag.com