This & That, Ceci et Cela

I agree. I've pondered this before and realized that marriage is not a strictly heterosexual/religious domain; sexuality (heterosexuality AND homosexuality) HAS been around long before religion. Also, they are many atheist/agnostic people who care not a fig about religion but have the greatest regard for the sanctity of marriage. Because gay couples wish to get married does not necessarily mean that they're defining themselves by heterosexual yardsticks. ...

Shopping centres, paulistanos’ favourite weekend refuge, are becoming favourite places to make political statements. About 150 students from São Paulo’s poor periphery came to Páteo Higienópolis, one of the city’s smarter malls, one recent Saturday night to pique shoppers’ consciences. They sang the Brazilian national anthem and a song explaining to “comfortable consumers/we come in peace/we want to be included/and nothing more.” Some asked shopkeepers how many blacks they employ. ...