posted February 29, 2004 12:00 PM         

Therefore let me start the ball rolling:

I have no problem with it, and would support others rights to freedom in a vote. This reflects both my social concerns, and the fact that I've been divorecd twice and realize that hetrosexuals don't necessarily make good examples of marriages either.

posted February 29, 2004 12:20 PM         

Marrage is a human made condition and doesn`t reflect the intent of the spiritual emotion.

It is a protective measure for the couple to have legal rights. Any legal right must be open to all on an equal basis, NO divisions or exceptions. IMHO

juniperb

posted February 29, 2004 12:33 PM         

Giving all couples the same rights is the only way for this country to remain true to it's ideals. I see very little difference between this movement and the civil rights movement and women's liberation.

I get warm fuzzy feelings in my tummy when I think about how San Francisco just started handing out the marriage licenses. Goddess I love that city.

I know that polls show something like 60% of the population is opposed to gay marriage and I'd like to point out this is a good example of when things shouldn't be left up to a vote. Don't get me wrong.. I'm the first one to be crying about the virtues of democracy.. however..
there are times when, just because the majority of the people believe something, it doesn't necessarily make the minority magically wrong.

If we left everything up to a vote it's likely women wouldn't be voting and we would still have segregation...maybe even slavery.

posted February 29, 2004 01:25 PM         

I don't know why it must be so complicated.

posted February 29, 2004 01:48 PM         

Hmm my thoughts?
First of all, I do not have a problem if some-one is gay.It is thier choice and no-ones else.I just dont agree with their sexuality but it is none of my business.

A marriage should be between a male and a female.But if a gay couple has proof of them being soul mates, and they want to get married, then they should go right ahead with it and get married.Maybe it will testify for that love has no boundaries and love conquers all.

posted February 29, 2004 02:29 PM         

Your opinion isn't taken seriuos.I like it when people are opposed to my opinions.

posted February 29, 2004 02:50 PM         

"The brain may take advice, but not the heart, and love having no geography, knows no boundaries: weight and sink it deep, no matter, it will rise and find the surface: and why not? any love is natural and beautiful that lies within a person's nature; only hyprocrites would hold a man responsible for what he loves, emotional illiterates and those of righteous envy, who, in their agitated concern, mistake so frequently the arrow pointing to heaven for the one that leads to hell."

--Truman Capote, in Other Voices, Other Rooms

posted February 29, 2004 03:47 PM         

However.. As soon as the government decided that marriage carried with it all sorts of benefits which are denied other non-married couples then the separation of church and state got muddy. Suddenly marriage became a broader social institution rather than just being limited to something that Christians do.

posted February 29, 2004 04:28 PM         

The idea its discrimination...
The idea that love is love....
I agree with all of this. I really can't believe how polarized this issue is in the media.

First off, I think its merely a distraction ploy. There are MANY things going on right now that deserve attention in the US, and I find this to be ridiculous. Probably, because I see no problem with letting homosexuals enter a legal union.

I don't believe in polls. Asking 1,000 people their opinion of this matter does NOT imply that 60% of Americans are opposed to gay marriage. I think that is spin. This is Bush pandering to his conservative voting base...even in Mass. "gay marriages" won't start being legal until 2005, so in effect Bush can bluster about it, but NOTHING is going to be accomplished until after the election. Its a game, and it saddens me that the rights of a perpetually discriminated class are being trotted out for personal and political gain.

A Constitution Amendment takes a LONG time to ratify. I predict if this remains a hot topic, it will suddenly be forgotten after Bush wins in November.

This is not, never has been, about gay rights. Its about the polarization between the Church and the State. Even the term "gay marriage" is a misnomer. Churches define marriage. The State only defines it as a "legal contract." I don't see that gays are looking to force Churches to marry them- I don't think thats what they are fighting for. They are fighting for LEGAL RIGHTS that married couples have. This is a STATE issue. If we allow them to marry, this will not suddenly make Catholic Churches forced to marry same sex couples.

But, I don't think the public sees thru this ruse. Thats why the press calls it "gay marriage." If instead it was called "legal anti-discriminatory unions" not only would it really pi$$ off newspaper editors, but it would diffuse some of the bitter hatred I see quoted from people in said papers.

Gaaaaah..this is one of those issues that fills me with rage- not for what it stands for (thats freedom, baby!) but by how its being manipulated- by the public mind, the press, and the government.

posted March 01, 2004 10:04 AM         

The motivation behind the act is what counts. And the way one partner treats the other. Lesbians abuse each other all the time. It's no fairy tale romance ever. I believe gay people ought to marry so they can have the legal right to have children and collect benefits, otherwise they are stranded and powerless in this society.

It's a necessary to have children and lots of people want this very much. Plus there are thousands of homeless children who would love to be adopted by loving couples.

BUT I want those couples to get counseling before marriage, it's mandatory for me when people ask me about marriage I insist on counseling beforehand, not just during.

posted March 01, 2004 11:08 AM         

Ya know.. it saddens me that this even has to be a QUESTION in our society.

God doesn't care... same sex, opposite sex.. love is love and rights of survivorship and health insurance, and the ability to have/raise a family should be BASIC to everyone. Of course your chosen life partner should be your next of kin and have some say about your end of life issues (assuming of course that you have shared those wishes) regardless of what the doctors and courts think.

In the light...
A

posted March 01, 2004 04:43 PM         

I wish everyone would see the light, and focus on sending out love than all this energy on hurtful things.

My stepdad tells me the reason that there is opposition is because people fear what they don't understand. And that ignorant people think if they legalize this, then next will be 40somethings trying to date 8 yr olds and say "but it's love" and that the question will be where to draw the line, that if they allow that people will keep pushing for more and more.

How people can be so ignorant is beyond me..I only hope that homosexuals can get the rights they rightly deserve.

posted March 04, 2004 01:17 AM         

anyone got change?- that's my nickel worth.