The short answer is no, you do not have to be gay or straight or anything between to marry.
Except in the very few states where lines are now blurred, the marriage laws in every state will vary somewhat but essentially come down to this:\
1. The marriage contrqct must be signed by a certified person: minister, ship's captain, jusitce of the peace, or whatever persons are authorized to finalize the contract by signing it.
2. Only two people can be included in the marriage contract: one man, one woman.
3. The parties must not be in another legal marriage in order for the current marriage to be legal.
4. The parties must be of legal age: generally 16 or older. Some exceptions have been made but only as a result of a legal hearing before a qualified judge.
5. In some states a blood test is done to help identify any communicable diseases that may be present.
6. The parties must not be closely related.
7. In some states there is a required waiting period between the time the marriage license is issued and the marriage contract can be completed.
Every single one of these laws is intended to protect children. Take children out of the equation and there is absolutely no need for any of the laws included in a typical marriage contract. Every state applies the law without prejudice and without respect to race, ethnicity, country of origin, sociopolitical or economic standing, or sexual orientation.
There is no requirement in any state to declare a sexual orientation or profess love for one another or that they even have sexual relations if both are happy not to have sexual relations.
Except in the very few states where lines are now blurred, the marriage laws in every state will vary somewhat but essentially come down to this:\
1. The marriage contrqct must be signed by a certified person: minister, ship's captain, jusitce of the peace, or whatever persons are authorized to finalize the contract by signing it.
2. Only two people can be included in the marriage contract: one man, one woman.
3. The parties must not be in another legal marriage in order for the current marriage to be legal.
4. The parties must be of legal age: generally 16 or older. Some exceptions have been made but only as a result of a legal hearing before a qualified judge.
5. In some states a blood test is done to help identify any communicable diseases that may be present.
6. The parties must not be closely related.
7. In some states there is a required waiting period between the time the marriage license is issued and the marriage contract can be completed.
Every single one of these laws is intended to protect children. Take children out of the equation and there is absolutely no need for any of the laws included in a typical marriage contract. Every state applies the law without prejudice and without respect to race, ethnicity, country of origin, sociopolitical or economic standing, or sexual orientation.
There is no requirement in any state to declare a sexual orientation or profess love for one another or that they even have sexual relations if both are happy not to have sexual relations.