The Marriage Act(22)
‘Uhuh,’ Jeffrey replied. ‘But studies by psychologists suggest polyamorous couples are less likely to remain in a long-term marriage than monogamous couples.’
‘We aren’t polyamorous, just horny!’ Noah laughed; Jeffrey didn’t. ‘Look, we might’ve dabbled occasionally but it hasn’t done us any harm. We love each other and we’re happy.’
‘That’s not what your Audite thinks.’
Noah was about to reply but appeared to think better of it.
‘The only way our sessions are going to work is with complete transparency,’ continued Jeffrey.
‘We no longer have an open relationship,’ admitted Noah and averted his eyes to the wall ahead.
‘And do I sense this isn’t something you’re happy about?’ ‘It wasn’t my decision.’
Luca cleared his throat. ‘It’s not something I want to continue exploring at present.’
‘If I’m being honest – which I’m assuming is what you want, Jeffrey – then I think marriage has mainstreamed us,’ said Noah.
‘Because straight couples don’t have threesomes . . . ?’ disagreed Luca.
‘No, but we’re in danger of losing our queer identity by mimicking heteronormative relationships. I don’t want us to become pseudo straights.’
‘I don’t think I’m mimicking anyone.’
‘I’m not saying you are; I’m saying we are in danger of it. I’d rather not play into the hands of the people who gave us equal rights because they wanted to normalize same-sex relationships. The best part of being gay is that we shouldn’t have to be “normal”. We should be making our own rules and living our own lives.’
Luca shook his head. ‘That might have been the case once upon a time, but there is no “us” and “them” any more. Match Your DNA levelled the playing field. Racism, homophobia, ageism . . . they went out with fossil fuel engines, wild elephants and the ice caps. I don’t want to be in an open relationship, not because I’m trying to play it straight, but because I no longer enjoy it.’
‘And I respect that’s how you’re feeling at the moment.’
‘Do you though, Noah?’ asked Jeffrey.
His directness uneased Noah. ‘Of course,’ he said. His sharply folded arms suggested otherwise.
In less than an hour, Jeffrey had already found a chink in their armour. And he quietly wondered to himself just how much work it might take to make the chink expand.
Will A Smart Marriage Give Us All The Support We Need?
By John Russell, Deputy Political Editor
‘Once you’ve chosen your one true love, we want to support you with the happy ever after.’
How many times did we hear this familiar slogan trotted out by Government ministers before the Sanctity of Marriage Act became law? Yet, three years later, many of us are still asking: how is our country really benefitting from these Smart Marriages?
Before the Act’s legislation was passed, the United Kingdom was struggling as a global industrial player. Single living had caused a housing crisis and years of pandemics were a gigantic drain on the public purse.
We were told family was the answer, and without family society is nothing. They said: ‘people don’t have a purpose or direction; they are selfish as there is no one to work for but themselves. Single and divorced people are more likely to have physical and mental health problems and to be a drain on the NHS.’
And if you believed the Government’s messages plastered across billboards, buses and social media, a country with more committed couples has a positive impact on its GDP. A more productive workforce equals less poverty, less crime and, as a result, better mental well-being for couples, parents and children. In theory, things should keep getting better from one generation to the next. Smart Marriages should be a no-brainer. Right?
Not necessarily. Because we have gradually seen that, by signing up and allowing those who rule us to control our behaviours, we are losing the essence of what it is to be free-thinking individuals. Ever-increasing numbers are being discriminated against and are having their fundamental rights eroded. The Government believes a hedonistic society is harder to focus. What they really mean is we are harder to control.
England has currently never been more divided. We are now a country made up of them and us. Surely that can’t be a smart idea?
18
Anthony
‘You know, most wives would be suspicious of the amount of time their husbands spend behind closed doors,’ teased Jada as Anthony invited her into his home office. She carried a wooden tray containing small bowls of sushi dishes and two bottles of Japanese beer. ‘But if you aren’t coming out for a late lunch then a late lunch is coming to you,’ she continued.
Anthony offered his appreciation with a kiss on her forehead. He didn’t deserve a partner like her, especially when he kept her at arm’s-length so much of the time. There was too much about his working life that he couldn’t explain. And then there was his relationship with Jem Jones. She would never understand that. It was better and safer for her to live in ignorance than under a dark cloud of honesty.
She placed their food on the desk.
‘Don’t go thinking I’ll be making a habit of playing the dutiful wife,’ she added, ‘but I know you have a lot on right now so I’m making an exception.’