By Alex Vaughn

Apparently the biggest threat to marriage is the gays. Marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman. We have heard it all before, that gay marriage is “unholy and threatens to undermine the sanctity of the institution of marriage.” There is also a school of thought that believes if the US allows gay marriage, the moral fiber of the nation will crumble and there will be disaster. I am reminded, particularly this week, of a comment comedienne Wanda Sykes made a few years back:

“Gays aren’t the biggest threat to marriage. The biggest threat to marriage is divorce!”

As amusing as this is, it is the truth. Marriage used to be something “not to be entered into lightly” and should last “till death us do part.” Today, however that simply isn’t the case. In the past when you got married, you stayed married. Then as times evolved, if things weren’t perfect, you stayed together for the kids, then split up.

People who are against gay marriage have put forth many arguments. However a popular opinion, particularly attached to the stereotypes of gay men, is that they would just jump into marriage after five weeks together, making a mockery of the institution. A fair point, though not a reason to prevent gay people from getting married. But yes, there could very well be a rash of quickie marriages followed by even quicker divorces.

Luckily that doesn’t happen in the straight community. Oh no, wait, yes it does.  The media has been full of the subject of divorce. One divorce in particular, that of reality TV queen, Kim Kardashian and her dim husband, Kris Humphries. There has, in fact, been no way to avoid the stories and speculation about Ms Kardashian’s divorce. Will she give back the ring? How much money did she make from the debacle? Where is he? What will she do with all the wedding gifts?

As we all get swept up in the judgement and hoopla surrounding the ludicrous 72-day marriage (which began with a multi-million dollar wedding), no one has questioned what respect has been held for the sanctity of marriage.

The Kardashian Klan has stood by Kim in defending her against the idea that she got married for the publicity and the money. Now I am an old romantic at heart, so I am going to give her the benefit of the doubt. Even if she didn’t get married for anything other than love, she did revel in the publicity, the E! TV special, “Kim’s Fairytale Wedding” and the multi-million dollar photo deals. Now how respectful is that to marriage?

No DOMA supporters have come up with the idea that reality TV stars should have a constitutional ban on them getting married; that they should be prevented from profiteering from the “sanctity of a union between man and woman” or that they should work out if they love the person first. No, because apparently, and according to their ideals, Kim’s laughable 72-day marriage is acceptable, simply of course, because she is a woman and Kris is a man.

Anyone who watches “Keeping up with the Kardashians” with any regularity also witnessed younger sister, Khloé marry Lamar Odom after just five weeks together. We are more inclined to believe her wedding, first because as far as we know they are still happy; and second, and more importantly, they looked and acted like a couple.

In the case of Kim and Kris (the spelling of his name is just all too suspicious in itself, you expect it from an LA power family, not so much from a guy from Minnesota), their relationship seemed to be comprised of him whining at being seen as another castrated male counterpart to the media hungry Kardashian women, and poor Kim looking totally vacant during their whole whirlwind romance. She never seemed that into him.

There has been a backlash, granted. Cries of foul play and that the Kardashians have duped us.

Therefore, she hasn’t gotten off scot free so to speak, and, as I am being kind, she is also nurturing a broken heart. Yet, I find it appalling the amount of space and time given to this ridiculous marriage that no one has come up against, and yet gay people are still fighting for the right. All people are complaining about is the money, the publicity, and the potential that a subject on reality TV could possibly be staged. Really, what a surprise!

Furthermore, matriarch, Kris Jenner has been working the talk show circuit like a mad woman and with one breath telling the nation how upset she is, not only for the divorce itself but for all the bad press and accusations being thrown at her daughter.

Yet, at the same time, she has jumped on the divorce band wagon and is hocking her new book – a book which, I might add, contains details of the affair she had whilst still being married to the late Robert Kardashian.

These points alone show an utter lack of consideration for the sanctity of marriage and yet they are selling books. The Kardashians have gotten very good at selling things, products, lifestyles and ideas. So whilst gay people are being prevented from getting married, a flagrant abuse of the foundations of marriage is playing out on our TV screens all in the name of entertainment and to get us to buy stuff!
Furthermore Kim has already become guarded, yet a “statement” has been bandied around that is telling everyone they can see the breakdown of the marriage in the upcoming “Kourtney and Kim Take New York.” Mark my words, people will tune in, watch and absorb it all with morbid fascination.  Again where is the respect?

Worse, whether you like to admit it or not, Ms Kardashian is a role model and a popular person. This is the reason the family rakes in over $65m per year. She will influence people, people who will genuinely see marriage as something totally frivolous. Lest we mention, this is the second time down the altar for Kim (the first, admittedly lasted longer, but was not played out for the world to see, giving it a hint of credence).

I would like to know what the protectors of marriage think about this circus. Surely this money-making machine and PR juggernaut under the guise of a marriage is a bigger threat to the respect and sanctity of the institution then allowing people of the same sex to be joined together.

Alex Vaughn is the Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Agenda. He can be reached at editor@FloridaAgenda.com