The definition of marriage has been greatly contested by progressives who want the delineation changed from a union between a "man and woman" or "husband and wife" to a union between "two people."
Now, a group of anonymous artists are taking matters into their own hands and literally changing the definition, one dictionary at a time.
These artists, working under the mission title "HACKmarriage," have been going to bookstores and libraries around San Francisco and covering the formal definition of marriage with a sticker featuring an amended version, according to Animal New York.
Currently, the Oxford American Dictionary defines marriage as "the legal relationship between a husband and wife." Merriam-Webster includes "the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage."
HACKmarriage's new, concise version reads: "mar•riage /’marij/ n.1 the formal union of two people by which they become partners for life."
In a video posted to Vimeo, the modern-day, pro-marriage equality Robin Hoods can be seen walking into various venues and literally changing the definition.
"We envision a city where every library and every bookstore has a hacked dictionary that reflects this more accurate meaning of marriage,” a representative for the group told Animal New York. “Because when our definitions change, we change. As a people, as a culture, as a society.”
HACKmarriage isn't necessarily the first movement of its kind. A Change.org petition was created last year by New Hampshire resident Mike Raven, who implored supporters to ask Dictionary.com to change its definition. The petition has since garnered more than 117,000 signatures.
"But how could correcting the definition create the positive change we wish to see in the world?" he wrote. "By correcting the definition, we could affect legal arguments. We could affect naysayer's perception. We could raise awareness in a positive way and reinvigorate the energy of those who'd like to see a different, better world. And we can finally call 'gay marriage' what it should be called: Marriage."
If you want to join HACKmarriage's cause, the group's Tumblr provides a downloadable PDF form that can be printed.
Before You Go
