Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Gay marriage: It's about time!


As I sat scrolling through the wire photos of people getting married today, the first full day that gay couples could get married in California, I almost started bawling at my desk. Everyone seemed to glow with happiness as they received marriage licenses or kissed after completing their vows. I think it's awesome they now have the option, and I'm optimistic about this step we've taken toward total equality in the U.S.

Just as many black Americans thought they'd never see a black man with a serious chance at becoming president in their lifetime, many gays thought they'd never have the legal right to get married. It's been quite a year, huh? And we're only halfway through it!

It was particularly touching for me to see photos of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom as he performed ceremonies and celebrated with newly wedded couples. (He officiated at the wedding of Del Martin, 87, and Phyllis Lyon, 84, in the photo above. Del and Phyllis have been together for over 50 years and were the first gay couple to marry in San Francisco.) Years ago, I watched while Newsom, then a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, stood onstage with 100 or so couples (two of my good friends included) as they were legally given domestic partnership status.

I was later best woman when those same friends had their commitment ceremony. The room overflowed with love and support as we rejoiced in their union. I doubt my friends will get married any time before November; ever cautious of their future, they'd want to be sure the legality of the marriages would stand. But I bet they'll be partying up a storm this weekend in San Francisco. I only wish I could be there with them.

How do you feel about the legalization of same-sex marriage? Are you as thrilled as I am? Are you over the topic and ready to move on? Or do you think allowing gay marriage takes the country in the wrong direction?

75 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm happy for anyone who gets married, especially for people who were told it would never happen.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, I don't see this as a step forward. If two people want to be together (date, live together, sleep together), that's their business....but MARRIAGE was designed to be between a man and a woman...period.

Anonymous said...

Yippee!! Equal rights what a crazy concept!

Anonymous said...

Marriage between a man and woman predates Christianity. Never before has a civilization progressed by allowing couples of the same sex to get married. They cannot reproduce, which is the natural order. The fall of this country continues....

Anonymous said...

It makes a mockery of holy matrimony, i.e., marriage as a covenant between man, woman, and God. Something that secular government should have never begun to regulate in the first place. And so for people who view marriage by that definition, then this isn't marriage.

But for those who view marriage as a civic and legal recognition of a lifelong union between two persons of either sex, then this is marriage. And so by that standard, then I suppose that gay couples got what they wanted, right?

I'm just not sure how many minds have been changed about whether this is right or wrong. To know that, politically we would have to be a democracy, where the issue is put to a public referendum. And so for gay couples, it's a good thing our country is not a democracy.

I wish everyone peace and happiness no matter who you sleep with.

Anonymous said...

Anytime judges impose policy, everyone loses.

Anonymous said...

The divorce rate in this country already makes a mockery of holy matrimony.

Anonymous said...

Are you kidding me? This is one of the worse things that has happened to this country. The end is near.

Anonymous said...

What a terrible precedent. Although I believe in civil unions for gay couples so that they may have the right to inherit property, see their loved ones in the hospital, etc., marriage is and has always been between a man and a woman, and this will never change in my mind. This opens the door for more "alternative lifestyle" couples to get married. Soon, we will be seeing people marrying their dogs, marrying two and three people, whatever. Where does this madness stop!!!?

Anonymous said...

Truly, I am not a gay supporter, nor a gay basher. I do believe in equal rights for all! However, I don't believe in gay marriage, simply because if we start to change the definition of marriage, and allow same sex, what is to happen when people want to marry their horse. They will fight for their equal rights, and so on.... My biggest gripe though about this is that people have got to stop involving the government in our everyday lives. The government & religion, do not mix. I blame lawyers for this non-sense, all about getting the popularity, notoriety, furthering their careers, and the almighty $$. Homosexuals should be hiring lawyers to draw up wills, and other legal papers just as heterosexuals have to when their are deaths.

Anonymous said...

"Marriage between a man and woman predates Christianity."

Partially true--marriage predating Christianity--and after--often was one man and the number of wives he could support. And maybe a couple of concubines thrown in for good measure

"They cannot reproduce, which is the natural order."

So heterosexual people who cannot have children due to health reasons or age shouldn't marry either?

"Soon, we will be seeing people marrying their dogs"

Where do people get this stuff? My dog could never make enough money to help pay the mortgage...

Anonymous said...

First of all for those people who say that allowing gay marriage will lead to multiple partner and animal weddings you are far from ignorant your are downright stupid. There are already laws on the books banning such practices and the last time I checked laws were put in place for people to follow not animals, so unless some talking horse shows up wanting to marry a human I think you have nothing to worry about. And don't give me that "Sanctity of Marriage" bull, divorce has already made a mockery of that so before you go trying to preserve marriage you should start by getting the national divorce rate down to 0%, then you can tackle the gay marriage issue. And for the idiot who said gay marriage is the worst thing to happen to this country, excuse me but do you live in some sort or rainbow filled, gold paved street, money growing on trees neighborhood I know nothing about? Because if gay marriage is worse than the war in Iraq, 9-11, Katrina, Poverty, outsourcing, Flooding, Hurricanes, Murder, earthquakes…etc etc etc then my perspective must be way off. There are bigger things to worry about than what 2 loving committed individuals are getting married

Anonymous said...

Civil unions...yes. Gay marriage...no.

Anonymous said...

The percentage of the population that are homosexuals has mostly been presented as 10%

Our country has ~ 300 million people - So that would mean ~ 30 million homosexuals

I could really care less if they marry or not - none of my business but I think the real winners are

The divorce lawyers - they just boosted their client base.

Anonymous said...

Do you people listen to yourselves? We are suppose to have a separation of religion and state in this country. Most of the reasons being given on this board are based on religious beliefs. You have every right to believe that homosexuality is wrong. However, your religion does not give you the right to decide who is worthy of their "in inalienable rights". Religions change over time; how many of you "Christians" would say that someone should not be allowed to divorce, even if in an abusive relationship? That has only relatively recently been allowed.

And for those of you making blanket anthropological statements about family and marriage definitions; please pick up a book.

Anonymous said...

A few thoughts from a fellow law-abiding, Christian, Asheville-born taxpaying gay citizen:

1. Let us get married, straight people, then we will stop marrying you.
2. If you don't like gay marriage, then don't get one.
3. The US of A runs on a Constitution which has no affiliation with any church. Marriage is a legally binding secular contract between two people in love who want to legally commit to each other. No dogs, horses, washing machines allowed. Such arguments are sensationalistic and insult me personally (do you even know the topic?) Marriage IS a civil union and more, but we aren't going to settle for part of it when it comes to protecting our spouses and ourselves. Does that make us evil? There is no Slippery Slope, unless you want to consider that women have managed to crawl up the slippery slope of "you are property and cannot vote" less than a hundred years ago, or want to talk about the history of "age of consent" in the Deep South. Several Christian denominations enthusiastically support Gay Marriage. If your church or personal beliefs don't, fine. You don't get to decide for everyone (see point 2.)
4. We don't recruit or corrupt children, we raise (mostly your unwanted orphans) in loving homes and we do it at least as well (if not better) than you do. So please stop the marriage/procreation argument if you truly care about children. Check the studies or ask ANY social worker with experience.
5. Trying to disguise this simple disgust for people and situations that you don't understand just isn't working. Please check with a gay family member (we all have them.) Or, please read the opinion of the California Supreme Court, which consists by the way of seven Republican appointees to the court. The logic of the court's opinion stands against all of the inflammatory right-wing radio talking points. We won't disappear and we won't stop fighting for our rights, which are "special" only in that they are equal to yours and therefore protected by the Constitution. That is what the Judiciary branch of government is for.

Anonymous said...

This argument about people marrying animals is dumb. Animals can't enter into a contract. That's all marriage technically is, a contract. Atheists (like me) get married all the time.

Anonymous said...

If you've ever loved someone and worried about being allowed to get information from the doctor should something happen to the person you love (or vice versa) or if something happens to you, that your affairs will not be seen to as you wished because you're not legally married to the one you love, then you'd understand why this is such an important step forward. If people don't want to call it marriage, that's fine. I'm perfectly happy with civil unions or domestic partnerships or whatever. Call it whatever you will, but people should be allowed to live their lives as they wish and make living arrangements as they see fit. I've been with my partner for six years, and I see myself with him for many years to come. I love him with all of my heart, and it tears me up to know that there are people claiming to be Christians yet that are filled with such hate in their hearts that they'd rather spit on us because we love one another than just let us live our lives in peace, who would condemn when the Good Book that they use to condemn us says "Judge not, lest ye be judged." We don't want to destroy the institution of marriage. We're certainly not on a "crusade" to "convert" people to homosexuality. We have no agenda besides just wanting to live our lives as we wish and make our arrangements as we wish. Is that really so much to ask?

Anonymous said...

Bravo. It is great to see injustice rectified and bigotry in decline. My younger generation just doesn't see why there is still resistance to same-sex marriage. We are used to having close bisexual and gay friends, going to the prom with gay couples, and even having gay parents and family members. My church even blesses same-sex marraiges. Times are changing for the better, and we are privileged to be part of the progress.

Anonymous said...

Current polls (CBS, Field Poll, Gallup) show a significant increase in people supporting same-sex union. The polls note that most young and well-educated people support same-sex unions. It looks opposition is strongest amongst the uneducated, older, rural, and Deep Southern population, ie, the most backward, unenlightened portion of society. In contrast, the most enlightened and educated portion of society largely already support same-sex unions. Prejudice is so primitive.

Anonymous said...

I think gay people have such a deep profound problem. Something went badly wrong somewhere. You know, the bible clearly forbids this kind of behavior. I'm not perfect and nobody else is perfect. This cuts the cake. Keep your problem to yourself and stop saying it is so unfair. Alot of things are unfair. What's next? Letting people have sex in public because why? There's nothing wrong with it. God bless all of you gays!

Unknown said...

Why is everyone anonymous in here? I don't mean to be all ad hominem, but if you're ballsy enough to have an opinion, at least have a visage to go with it.

I'm a white male living in Louisiana. I'm heterosexual. I am in no way threatened by gay marriage. My thoughts are not intended to speak on any behalf of my sexuality, a line that I'm afraid gets blurred in these manners of argument.

Obviously, concepts of marriage differ, especially amongst Christians, Muslims, and other adherers to certain religions, but also to people who've been educated solely by talking heads on television. I won't bother to argue on that front. Better people have tried, my patience is too short, etc.

The point I'm trying to drive home is for a willing acceptance of an open mind. I don't even propose that you accept gay marriage, but consider all aspects of it from every possible angle. To have an opinion makes you human, to accept that opinion makes you responsible. To have that opinion logically smashed and NOT have it be taken as a defamation or attack, I would say, makes you wise.

Anonymous said...

BRAVO! This country is on its way to true EQUALITY. California today; Carolina tomorrow.

True love: What a concept!

Anonymous said...

Hey dcdude, you mean like your predjudice against the deep south. you liberals are clueless.

Anonymous said...

Hey observer, this is why mcclatchey is laying your asses off.

Anonymous said...

Oh that gay marriage is so terrible. It became legal and we have $4 gas, a war in Iraq, a mortgage meltdown, flooding in the mid-West, and George W. still in office. Those gays have some agenda don't they? Oh wait, all those things existed BEFORE gay marriage became legal. Oops, my bad. And by the way, the sun came up again today in spite of gay marriage.

Anonymous said...

Yes, we gays do have a deep profound problem...it is called homophobic, narrow minded bigots!

Anonymous said...

I have been around straight folks that "shack up" and never get married. I have seen homosexual couples that provide support and parental guidance to their children. I have seen the divorce rate hit 50% of married heterosexual couples. I beieve in what was written in the Bible. That being said, I think that committment is the key here. The straight, living in sin as a nonmarried couple with no committments and the "gay", living in sin, because of their homosexuality. Which one is more wrong? I think that it is neither. God teaches us to forgive and to ask for his forgiveness when we committ a sin. I for one am the farthest away from being free of sin. Those of you without sin be the first to cast the stone. I believe that it is not my department to judge others. Maybe my words will let my God know that he will be the judge and not me.

Anonymous said...

One can only assume that the comment made by someone masquerading as Elton John is a very closed minded, bigoted, poor soul who doesn't know any gay people. Or understand the power of a true loving relationship. As a good Southern lesbian, all I can say is "Bless your heart"!

Anonymous said...

Getting closer and closer to proving that this is not a lifestyle choice but a birthright. You religious wacko's are just a bunch of Tools.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1815538,00.html?cnn=yes

Anonymous said...

I bet divorce lawers think is is a great step forward.

Anonymous said...

I have no problem with gays getting "married" and having equal rights, etc. I just want to continue to have the right to tell my children that homosexuality is wrong. My fear is that this will soon be classified as "hate speech". And comparing being gay to being black or another race is the stupidest argument ever. Homosexuality is a chosen behavior, not a genetic characteristic.

Anonymous said...

"And so for gay couples, it's a good thing our country is not a democracy"

"Anytime judges impose policy, everyone loses."

If this country had voted for women's rights and black's rights I am sure that they would not have passed in the time the "judges" helped with these rights as well.

Sometimes the best decisions for this Country we live in have been made by judges and not by popular vote.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Lots of ignorance and bigotry in these comments.

Gay marriage is a beautiful thing! Equal rights for all!

Anonymous said...

What a shame!! I am not homophobic but this is CLEARLY against God's design. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Fine, it's a legal union but it is certainly not a SACARAMENT (there is a HUGE difference!!!) and therefore not a recipient of God's grace and blessings.

Anonymous said...

"First of all for those people who say that allowing gay marriage will lead to multiple partner and animal weddings you are far from ignorant your are downright stupid. There are already laws on the books banning such practices..."

Don't look now but there are also laws already on the books in the majority of states that ban same-sex (aka gay or lesbian) marriages.

Anonymous said...

Homosexuality is disgusting. We are going down the same road as the Romans, hope the country survives this century.

Anonymous said...

This isn't about "marriage" as in the sacrament in church, it's "marriage" in the eyes of the State. One has to do God, the other has to do with legal rights and responsibilities. This is a pretty clear distinction folks. It's not like California is holding a gun to priests and ministers heads and making them marry homosexuals; it's the state that is marrying them via a judge or the clerk of court.

Perhaps homosexuals aren't too concerned about getting the blessings of the various gods people believe in and are instead focused on getting the rights most of us seem to forget we have.

Anonymous said...

U people need to mind your own business and allow people to live their lives the way they want to live. Marriage is a part of religion but it was performed way before christianity was even "mainstream".

Anonymous said...

If we want to treat people equally, we should allow brother and sister to marry, as well and father and daughter. If they are in love, who are we to say they can't be married.

Anonymous said...

Oh and one more thing. Homosexuality was practiced way before the collapse of the Roman Empire. You could almost argue the other point in banning gay marraige was the downfall of the Roman Empire!

Anonymous said...

This is why our circulation is dieing.

Anonymous said...

Sexual orientation is inborn, partially a result of heredity and partially a result of hormonal exposure in the womb. It is the same as any other inborn trait such as skin color or blood type. Over a hundred species of animals have been shown to engage in homosexual behavior, showing that it is indeed natural. Logically, people should not be denied their rights because of biological heritage. The bigotry shown by many people here is EXACTLY like the bigotry shown toward interracial marriages in the past. Same sex marriages don't harm anyone. Children raised in such families are documented to be as well-adjusted as children raised in heterosexual marriages. The only hope for justice in the USA is for the bigots to age out of the population. Fortunately, demographic data show that this is gradually happening.

Anonymous said...

" Homosexuality is a chosen behavior, not a genetic characteristic." I beg to differ. Why ever would a person choose to be a minority, or choose to be part of a group that people think are "bad" or wrong for loving someone of the same sex? Being gay is NOT a chosen behavior but rather a part of our genetic

Anonymous said...

Scott M -- I have nothing left to say. Thank you for so eloquently saying what is on the mind of every rational, level-headed citizen in this country.

Anonymous said...

It still didn't happen. It will never be fixed correctly because the plumbing does not match. It will always leak no matter what they tell you.

Anonymous said...

A lot of posts have been removed. I wonder why? Don't fit the agenda?

Anonymous said...

It’s so unfair, I have been an intimate relationship with a goat for five years, but we can’t get married. I don’t understand why people are so goataphobic. Why are they so mean to us? I want to marry my goat to show the world what true love really is. We need legal rights, not only can we not get married, but something so simple as going out to eat at local restaurants is impossible because of discrimination. We need combined health insurance, we need welfare, my goat can’t work and I have to stay home to take care of her. We long to start a family, there are so many babies who need a home, but adoption agencies will not talk to us.

Won’t someone have pity on us, why is the world so unfair and filled with such ignorant and bigoted people?

Humm sound familiar? Gay marriage is yet another example of the breakdown of our society. Not only from a moral perspective, but simply a workable social order and breakdown of the family. I doubt it can be stopped, and we will all be paying the social impacts of letting confused people do whatever they want because they feel like it and don’t think they’re hurting anyone else.

I am not homophobic, I am well educated, I support diversity. However, I am completely against a legal homosexual union.

Anonymous said...

If you can't reproduce then it's not natural!

Anonymous said...

I guess the last few (well, actually several) "We Can Relate" blogs have pretty much been ignored, so they must have decided to bring up the gay marriage thing just to attract some traffic - looks like it worked.

Anonymous said...

no they cant relate thats why their circulation is going going gone

Anonymous said...

It is very telling that the pro gay marriagne comments have been polite and issue oriented while many of the anti gay marriage comments (including the disgusting ones that have been removed) have been hateful and bigoted.

Unknown said...

The problem with allowing marriage for some and disallowing it for others is that the US has allow all sorts of legal and financial benefits to accrue to married couples.

Frankly I think that marriage is a strictly religious thing, and the churches should be able to do whatever they want to.

But since the government has stuck its fingers into marriage, then the only solution is to permit everyone to avail themselves of those attached government benefits.

Anonymous said...

Well, I won't be reading this blog anymore!

Anonymous said...

To david7: Churches to not have to marry anyone they wish to not married, regardless of their sexuality. Marriage is a legal, civil action and has nothing to do with what a church wants to do.

Anonymous said...

"
Frankly I think that marriage is a strictly religious thing, and the churches should be able to do whatever they want to."

Ridiculous. Marriage is a civil thing, with some also recognizing religious significance to it. Atheists marry all the time, as do agnostics, and non-religious people of all types. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau notes that non-religious and atheist people are the fastest going religious category in the nation, and a growing number of people are not having religious ceremonies at all.

This debate is about marriage as secular civil right, not as a religious matter. My church happens to recognize and bless same-sex unions, but that is not relevant to a discussion about the law. Neither is it relevant that some (ignorant) people still have religious objections to same-sex marriage. Your religious views are your business, but should have no influence on people who do not share your particular religious beliefs. Therefore, hurray! Equality has been realized in California! I applaud these couples for their commitment and love.

Anonymous said...

Funny how this has become an election issue again. It will be overturned and will bring out a lot of voters.

Anonymous said...

It IS about time. I fail to see how two people who love each other, getting legal recognition for their commitment to one another, can bring down society. No one's forcing anyone to marry someone they don't want to; no one's even asking you to change your beliefs -- just allow others their own beliefs. I thought that's what America was about. (naive, I know)

Anonymous said...

I think it just contributes to the moral decline of our empire. Great empires collapse from within. Such as the Romans. Why are we going down the same path?

Anonymous said...

Wow!!What is our country going to do next?? Gay marriages is so wrong and is a "mockery and abomination to the "word of God". I feel so sorry for the people that indulge in this type of behavior. Reminds me of the story in the "Holy Bible" about "Sadom and Gamora". I hope and pray that whoever indulges into such an immoral act, will truly see what they are doing is "so, so wrong".

Anonymous said...

Interestingly, what is always ignored in this debate is that this is one area in which both creationism and evolution agree. Homosexual relationships are not normal to the human species.

Creationism assumes we were made male and female for a reason... to pro-create (reproduce and grow the species).

Evolution assumes the same thing. Further, evolution teaches that any species which is incapable of reproducing would become (and should become) extinct!

Therefore according to evolutionary theory, homesexuality, if normal, would be bred out over time because they wouldn't reproduce.

I'm aware of studies that try to prove that there is a fundamental physiological difference between the brains of heterosexuals and homosexuals... however, every one of those studies relied upon research on the brains of those who died from HIV and HIV itself is known to alter brain tissue... therefore those studies are invalid.

The bottom line is that the great debate is between those who believe in the evolution of the fittest and those who believe in intelligent design. In the one case, homosexuality is a genetic flaw that would be bred out... in the other it is an abhorent behavior that is condemned.

In neither philosophy, would it be seen as a cause for celebration.

Anonymous said...

This is not a step forward....at least not in the right direction. It's a step toward the end. Marriage was and always will be recognized between a man and a woman, as it was originally designed and intended. I can't see two grandmotherly figures getting it on, much more than two grandfatherly figures doing it. That's just wrong.
Deidre is right - it's about time - about time we took back this country and get it back on the right track. Right now we're on the path to hell.

Anonymous said...

Since when is marriage only about "getting it on"?

Anonymous said...

Are you kidding about approving this crap. It's gross and it's even on TV now. One more thing to cover my kids eyes for while watching TV. Let's just love everyone all the time and say yes to everyone. The U.S.A. is fading fast and asking to be another country's door mat.

Anonymous said...

This issue is driven by generational and edcuational differences. For the most part (with some exceptions mainly in rural areas), young people support same-sex marriage, older people tend not to. Also, for the most part, people who are highly educated tend to support same-sex marriage, whereas those with very little education tend not to. That is why same-sex marriage is popular with Yale and Harvard students, but not so popular in rural Alabama, one of the least educated states. The growing support for same-sex marriage is reflective of an increasingly well-educated, sophisticated society that is urbanizing and rejecting the old prejudices of the past. Also, as older anti-gay people are literally dying out, they are being replaced by a quite gay-friendly younger generation that embraces their bisexual and gay brethren. The tremendous progress we are seeing on this issue is largely driven by demographic changes taht will only solidify in the future.

Anonymous said...

blah, blah, blah, blah, blah

Anonymous said...

I'm well educated, went to college, and not old. I can add, spell, read...I got skills.
It's still wrong.
When people are married, they get it on. You know, sex? The parts on two women and two men just don't work. So...tell me how the human race will naturally evolve. It won't.

Anonymous said...

"The parts on two women and two men just don't work."

If it didn't work, I don't think so many people would do it and come back for more. In fact, from what I hear, they enjoy it quite a lot, so it works for them!

Moreover, procreation is not the litmus test of whether something is morally correct or should be accepted. In modern societies, we have evolved from the procreation-focused notion of marriage, the property-focused notion of marriage, to a relationship emphasis. Many married couples do not want to ever have children today. Further, in an overpopulated world, not having children is considered a good thing. Thus, gay couples fit right into the modern notion of marriage.

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful step forward, and long a long time over-due. For anyone that doesn't see what a wonderful thing equality is, I feel for. I believe that they are shrouded in fears that maybe even they don't realize, and they live their lives with blinders on which only allow them to see one path. It is a sad place when one's hearts and minds are limited to pre-created notions we are expected to live by without question nor expansion. I believe for anyone with a true belief in human equality, this is only a positive step, and not a negative one.

Anonymous said...

A sin is a Sin and the bible shouldn't be used to set laws. Imagine all the freedoms and rights everyone would lose if we were to use the bible as a template for which laws we should follow. You can disagree with homosexuality on a religious level that is your right, but it does not give you the right to discriminate or deny someone elses rights because of what you feel is wrong in the Bible. If that were the case Marriage (again) should not be legal for people who get divorced etc etc you can't just pick and choose which things you want to count and which ones don't. Religion was used when women wanted a right to vote and when african americans wanted equal rights. Fortunatley goverment law was on their side and hopefully will be on ours soon.

Anonymous said...

And just one more note to my previous comment...for those that are saying that because gay couples can't reproduce it's not natural...what about a women or man that can't reproduce in a heterosexual relationship? You see how ridiculous that is? All of the excuses or reasons that people throw out in fear are just crutches for being predjudice. And marriage is not only for Christians, so the Christian bible is not the only thing that governs marriage for all of Americans. Marriage is a legal action, and in one's personal life and culture can be religions...but we must separate church and state when it comes to equality issues. We all have different beliefs, yet we all deserve equal rights.

Anonymous said...

First of all, you don't have to be in a marriage to reproduce - heterosexuals have proven that. Second, the remarks made about homosexuality in the Bible are incorrect. If you study pre-Christian history there were instances of homosexual acts between two people but it was not about love, it was about power. The Greeks and Romans used homosexual acts as a way of showing power over a subordinate person. That's why the Bible said it was wrong because in that way, it was a form of violence. And still is. What is the rapist doing? Taking power over another person. What the Bible refers to are homosexual acts driven by power. Homosexual love wasn't recognized until a century or so ago. And, homosexual love may or may not involve sex, but it certainly involves emotions. Heterosexual love between two older people may not involve sex, but certainly the emotion is there. I'm a lesbian because of the gender of the person I fall in love with. I can have sex with a man but it won't make me a heterosexual. I can fall in love with a woman and never have sex with her, and still be a homosexual. We're putting too much emphasis on the sex, and not enough on the emotional part.

Gay marriage is finally giving respect and equality to hundreds of thouands of long-term gay and lesbian relationships. And we deserve the same benefits as our heterosexual counterparts.

Anonymous said...

It is about time! For all of those who say "marriage should only be between a man and a woman" - they're probably the same people who not too long ago said "marriage should only be allowed between a white man and a white woman- never a mixed race marraige". Wake up people - we're all human, we all love and we all deserve equal rights under the constitution. Homosexuals are NOT dogs, horses, other animals that these people compare them to and say what will we allow next? They are HUMAN BEINGS and deserve the same things that we should give all human beings - the right to marriage, equality, respect and love.

Anonymous said...

this is insane, all this is doing is making a joke of a sacred thing called marriage. No wonder that the divorce rate is higher than the rate of successful marriages, no one takes the union seriously anymore like we used to. I guess people will just have to get used to it the world will never be the same again, we are all going downhill

Anonymous said...

At what point in time will everyone wake up and realize that the ONLY argument that anyone is making against legalizing "gay marriage" is a religious argument. State sanctioned marriage is purely a legal status granted by the state/government that conveys certain legal rights to the parties. No one is saying you have to allow non-heterosexuals to be married in your churches, the state sanctioned rights DO NOT impact how your church addresses the issue....we have a little thing called the Constituton that dictates a separation of church and state. If your only argument against the state granting marriage licenses to non-heterosexuals is a religious one, them maybe we should do away the separation of church. It boils down to the old "cake and eat it" issue. Got you thinking yet?