This piece for The Stone argues that we as a society are already well underway in redefining marriage. Conservatives often use the terminology “redefining marriage” as political code. The piece argues for a sociological view of the institution of marriage. The courts do not have the power to define institutions, since they are typically only partly affected by legal doctrines. More important are the social practices that create the institution. Fortunately, we already have changed many of our social practices regarding same-sex marriage. We as a society have already redefined marriage, for the better.
New York Times Opinionator Blog, Feb. 16, 2015