Do you Support Gay Marriage ?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

I dont mean to ask if its one of your priorities in your democratic candidate or even that it be a consideration when you vote for someone. Instead I want to know if you personally support it. Or if you dont.

[meegbear]

1. Why yes. Yes I do.

And so does my state judiciary and legislature. Thank you Massachusetts!

[William769]

6. Yea go ahead, rub it in.

Heres a better question. Have you partaken in it?

[meegbear]

36. I can't even score a date on a Saturday nite ...

but if/when the time comes, yes I will.

[William769]

44. What the hell is wrong with the men in your State?

On DU it sounds like you would be a great catch!

[davidinalameda]

234. move to California

:)

[wicket]

58. Hi neighbor!

:hi:

[meegbear]

63. Howdy!

:hi:

[wicket]

65. Somerville here

Not too far from you :D There are so many DUers in our area, we totally need to do a meet up!

[meegbear]

142. haven't had one in a while

[sniffa]

148. indeed

:D

there's a raLLy on sunday. i'd Love to wreck mitten's photo-op

[Marrah_G]

176. Attleboro here !

We have the country's very first legally married gay Mayor!!! Woowoo go Mass :)

[Synnical]

209. Sure - if you want to be legally bound to another person

go for it.

Tried it once, didn't like it.

[GreenPartyVoter]

249. I do too, but fwiw I think all 'marriages' should be called civil unions

in terms of rights. To me marriage is a religious term that has no bearing on a legal contract between two people who choose to become a family.

[William769]

2. I support it, I'll carry it, I'll prop it up, I'll even carry it on my shoulders!

Does that answer your question?

[Marnieworld]

3. 1 million percent

And I support MARRIAGE not civil unions or any other separate and inequal terminology. Marriage laws are on the books that's what should apply. Federally, State-wise everywhere. Completely.

:pals:

[H2O Man]

4. Yes.

Of course.

[Sapphocrat]

5. Unequivocally, yes.

But you probably knew that already. LOL

[Cerridwen]

7. Yes.....

and it's in my top 10 list of priorities politically and personally. If someone can't understand that their rights are not threatened by others having the same rights; and I can't educate them otherwise; they're not someone with whom I'm likely to have much social interaction.

[JackBeck]

8. Sure I do.

So much so, that I got "gay married" in San Francisco during the whole gay marriage frenzy. Unfortunately, my marriage was deemed void, but we still have our marriage license. I recently moved to NJ, so here's to having my fingers crossed.

[William769]

13. Just don't cross your legs!

Oops, did I just say that out loud.

[JackBeck]

16. Yes you did!

:spank:

[IntravenousDemilo]

116. Well, if you ever holiday in Canada, your status will be considered a legal fact. So come visit us!

Well, stay away from Alberta, though. They're a little funny in the head there.

[JackBeck]

144. I love Canada.

I hate the cold. If it didn't get cold, I'd move to Canada in a heartbeat.

I was just in Toronto for the International AIDS Conference. Very nice people, but lots of homeless.

[swimboy]

9. Indubitably and incontrovertibly, madam!

;)

[SutaUvaca]

10. Yes, absolutely.

Two of my best friends, Sue and Lisa, got married (a Union Ceremony - best that could be done in Florida) a few years ago. It was my privilege to sing at their wedding. Now I live in western North Carolina. If you know any gay couples out this way that need a singer for their wedding, let me know. :)

It's not just for equal rights. It's for the heart's delight!

[kcass1954]

11. Absolutely! I saw the crap my brother had to deal with 10 years ago when my

brother-in-law died.

[TheWraith]

12. Yah, any particular reason you ask? NT

[swimboy]

20. Why does anybody ask anything in General Discussion?

Why, for the purposes of general discussion, I guess! :P

[La Lioness Priyanka]

31. there have been several controversial threads about gay marriage

i feel we deserved one where people got to say yes or no, without taking political backlash into account.

[Big Sky Boy]

14. Support equal treatment under the law for ALL Americans?

Absolutely.

[swimboy]

21. Welcome to DU, Big Sky Boy!

:hi:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

15. Absolutely. 100% The fact that it's even up for debate with some people is absurd.

[Fleshdancer]

17. YES YES YES

With all the hate in the world I don't understand discriminating against two consenting adults who love each other. It makes absolutely NO sense to me.

I also find it odd that those who are against gay marriage concentrate SOOO much on the act of gay sex. Do they concentrate on the sex lives of hetero married couples? Some how I doubt it. It's just so weird and neurotic to put all the focus on sex and no focus whatsoever on what marriage truly means.

[Bassic]

18. Yes.

[ThomCat]

19. Yes. Absolutely.

Two dear friends of mine would still be living here in the US if they could get married here. The one who is a US citizen could have sponsored the other to stay here when his student visa expired.

But instead, they are both in Canada where they are married and have permanent resident visas.

[abluelady]

22. Yes, absolutely.

[Mabus]

23. Abso-fucking-lutely yes!

I personally support gay marriage. Better yet, I support marriage for all my GLBT friends and relatives. I support gay marriage because I firmly believe that a person's sexuality and gender are part of their biological make-up. I don't believe that two consenting adults should be prohibited from marrying based on their biological make-up or their gender.

edited subject line to reflect my ardent support. ;)

[Momgonepostal]

24. I do

I've never quite understood why gay marriage is supposed to weaken my heterosexual marriage. :shrug:

[RevolutionStartsNow]

25. Of course I do!

I've always been flabergasted by the position that gay marriage somehow threatens hetero marriage. That argument makes no sense to me, I imagine it's just hate, fear and ignorance.

I am hopeful that we will see gay marriage legalized eventually, but it should be a no-brainer.

[porphyrian]

26. I don't necessarily support any marriage...

...however, I support everyone's right to marriage, gays included.

[Orsino]

27. Heck, yeah.

I wouldn't want my own marriage put up for a vote, so I don't see why any other taxpaying and consenting adults should have to lobby for that right. Marriage has brought me great happiness, and I want more people free to seek it.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

37. thats a great way to put it

[bowens43]

28. Yes.

[ismnotwasm]

29. Yes

Bone deep. It's of the things I feel so strongly about it shakes my very soul.
No kidding.

[Double T]

30. Equal Rights For All People of This Planet

[Saphire]

32. You bet!

[JeffR]

33. 100%

[Nimrod2005]

34. Si...

[lukasahero]

35. Absolutely

I was at Government Center in Boston handing out flowers the day it became legal here. :)

[helderheid]

38. Yes I do but I wish that the government would get out of the marriage business

I'd like to see EVERYONE get civil unions (with all the benefits that current marriage provides) and leave marriage ceremonies to the churches - the way they do it in the Netherlands.

[gollygee]

39. I support the right of any person to marry the person he/she loves

regardless of gender

[everythingsxen]

40. Yes I personally support the idea of gay marriage

I generally try to convince people who don't believe in gay marriage to see things the way I see them, which is something like this:

"I'm not gay, I don't plan on being gay, so why the fuck is it any of my business if gay people get married? If they wanna get married, let them get married. The Constitution says you get Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness; to me that means you can do pretty much whatever you want as long as you ain't huting anyone."

Option One: The Logical Homophobe; typical arguement: gay marriage screws up benefits and health care etc. etc.

"Why does it matter though? If they weren't gay, but were straight instead and got married wouldn't they still be sapping the same resources that you are concerned about?"

Option Two: The Religious Zealot; typical arguement: it's a sin.

"If it's a sin, then let God deal with it. Judge not lest ye be judged."

but it is an abomination.

"So is eating shrimp."

[cassiepriam]

119. Bingo, you are right on the money.

I never understood how straight people can make decisions for gay/lesbian couples. Not right to control other human beings
who are engaging in loving personal relationships. I am not gay,
so it is none of my business.

And let God decide what is a sin or not. Wrong to marry someone you love? But OK for the govt to torture, rape and murder innocent women and children in Iraq. Yah right.

In the future people will shake their heads about how persecuted
and unfair we straight folks have been to gays/lesbians.

[ripple]

223. Perfec t!

:rofl:

[MrSlayer]

41. Certainly. I'm all about equal rights for everyone.

That's what it comes down to for me. Do you support equal rights or not? Do you support the American ideal or not? It's quite ridiculous that this discussion should even be taking place, it's a no-brainer.

[Ediacara]

42. Since I'm planning on getting married to another guy, yes of course!

[AngryOldDem]

43. Yes, I do.

It is not for me to deny anyone happiness. It is not for me to judge who a person loves and wants to spend his or her life with. Life is too short for that shit.

[Bjornsdotter]

45. Yes I do

...and my 17 year old will be attending a gay marriage next month.

BTW, it is one of my priorities, it's in the top 3.

Cheers

[sui generis]

46. I'm married to somebody right here in this thread.

he's my baybeee.

I guess that means yeeeeee haw! Yes ma'am. ahem. :blush:

;)

[caseycoon]

47. Definitely!

And I do mean MARRIAGE!
What part of equality don't people understand?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

the part where gay people are involved and elections may be lost

and americans arent ready for it

and a million other crappy excuses

[Fleshdancer]

55. The way I see it.....

Those crappy excuses were the same crappy excuses people gave for why slavery should still exist, women shouldn't have the right to vote, discrimination should be tolerated and women shouldn't have the rights to their own body. Another similarity in all of the civil rights movements has been using the bible to defend bigotry.

In all the ugliness in our past battles, I am optimistic because the ultimate outcome has always been equality. The same will happen for Gay rights. Yes it will take time and the battles will be ugly, but we are on the side of what is right.

[LostinVA]

102. Great post n/t

[GliderGuider]

48. Of course! Why should gays be spared the misery and tedium of marriage?

Seriously though, I see this as an issue of universal human rights. It's morally repugnant to me that social and economic benefits are conferred or denied based on sexual orientation.

[Strawman]

49. Yes. And I feel like the exclusion of gays from marriage degrades the institution.

[HockeyMom]

50. Yes. I want BOTH my daughters (gay & straight)

to be able to marry the person they LOVE.

[NanceGreggs]

51. Absolutely!

Unconditionally, unequivocally, 100% - and then some!

[KAZ]

52. Absolutely. 100% n/t

n/t

[bullwinkle428]

53. Yes - I don't think there's any question that this is an equal rights issue

and as long as we continue to speak out about it, the tide will slowly continue to turn in our favor.

[LeftHander]

54. Yes!

[Solly Mack]

56. Yeppers

[wicket]

57. Yes - absolutely!

Live in Mass. too :D

[LilyLibber]

59. Abso-frickin'-lutely. 100%.

Without a doubt!

[myrna minx]

60. Absolutely.

All people are created equal in this country. Just about everyone in my life is gay, so of course, I support gay marriage for all of my loved ones.

[zippy890]

61. Yes and I would go into Boston tomorrow

to try & ruin Romney's big PHOTO-OP at the anti-gay marriage rally
except they(the Romney/gay hating crowd) would use any expressions supporting gay marriage to their own propaganda purposes.

[RaleighNCDUer]

62. No,

but that's only because I'm not too hep on the whole "marriage" thing in the first place.

OTOH, I can see no reason why gays should not be allowed to be as miserable as everyone else.

[Bluebear]

98. THAT is funny :)

[lapislzi]

64. Completely. Utterly. 110%

I honestly can't get my mind around why people don't.

[troubleinwinter]

66. Totally and adamantly.

[cwydro]

67. Absolutely. / nt

[bulletsandspikes]

68. Yes

[babylonsister]

69. Yes, I do. Why should we have all the 'fun'?

:rofl: Gays are people, too, last I checked. We should all have the same rights.

[benddem]

70. of course

I thought I lived in a country where everyone was supposed to be equal. I know we aren't but denying people rights is un-american.

[YankeyMCC]

71. Yup (Another proud Mass citizen)

Went to the wedding of my neighbors last year took my son too. Very low key but nice wedding, one of the best services I've been to though.

[Oeditpus Rex]

72. Naturally

Not long ago I leaned toward, "Well, maybe they should settle for civil unions now, then push for full 'marriage' when the dust has settled."

Then I was prompted to look at it from the eyes of a gay person. It was quite clear that that attitude was tantamount to black people in the '50s settling for seats nearer the front of the bus — to being told, "You're still second-class, but we'll make some concessions."

Pretty embarrassing that I didn't realize that from the beginning. Thanks to those who led me to it.

[MamaBear]

73. Absolutely.

I don't understand the objections to it, and I don't see where kids would be any worse off with gay parents than with straight, and perhaps in lots of cases they would be better off.

[NNadir]

74. Of course. Why should people who love each other be denied marriage.

I'm married. I love my wife. I can't imagine trusting my life to anyone else. I can't imagine why gay people should be denied the same rights I have. It must be horrible.

[let us vote]

75. Couldn't care less

Marriage is a religious thing.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

76. no its not. marriage is a legal thing.

[helderheid]

79. see post 38

[La Lioness Priyanka]

86. thats the netherlands though...in the us heterosexual unions that come with full legal rights

is marriage not a civil union

and yes i agree that the state should only issue civil unions to everybody

[helderheid]

94. I know it's the netherlands... I like how they do it and think we should adopt the way they do it.

[mondo joe]

243. It's not that different than what we do - they call it a civil union, we call

it a civil marriage. Either way, it's the state that recognizes it.

[let us vote]

82. Civil unions are legal relationships. Marriage is religious

The problem is that religion has too much influence over law. Marriage is an example of religion being written into law.

[helderheid]

95. I agree and welcome to DU

:hi:

[mondo joe]

101. Not in the United States. Here "Marriage" is the name for both

the civil and religious institutions.

[LostinVA]

107. Not in the UNited States n/t

[ThomCat]

108. Almost everything is an example of religion getting

written into law, given that religion came first. :P

The question is how do definitions change over time, and how to we manage the process of transitioning from religion to law.

And let's not forget that the marriage ceremony is the only part of marriage that is religious. Everything else is law. All the tax benefits, inheritance benefits, custody benefits, proxy benefits, etc. are all legal benefits, not religious benefits.

So, to be a little blunt, your statement is a bit simple and doesn't take into account a lot of the basic structure of what a marriage is.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

109. In the US, we have civil marriages.

We don't call them civil unions, we call them marriages. Unless U.S. marriage law is completely rewritten declaring heterosexual marriages "civil unions," a costly undertaking, then anything same-sex civil unions are not equal to marriage.

[helderheid]

126. you are absolutely right.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

133. Thanks!

:thumbsup:

[gollygee]

110. There is nothing religious about the word "marriage"

Churches are able to perform marriages but that doesn't make marriages intrinsically religious.

[flvegan]

128. Tell that to the IRS. "Spouse" only comes from one place

and that's a marriage.

[ScreamingMeemie]

188. And yet I "married" my husband in a civil service at the courthouse...

with no God in attendance, but with the evidence in the form of a "marriage" license. I think religion has really nothing to do with marriage.

[Warren DeMontague]

220. Really? So... I'm not religious in the slightest, but I'm still married.

And I want to be married. And I'm glad I'm married. And I have a gov't issued marriage license to prove it.

So what's up with that?

[mondo joe]

99. In the United States marriage is a LEGAL thing.

[LostinVA]

104. No it isn't, it's a secular contract

Which makes a non relative into your closest "blood" relative.

[noamnety]

77. Yes

Not only is it a matter of equal rights for gays, but also it's a matter of regular old sex discrimination as well.

It's a matter of contract law, and there's no reason a man should be able to enter into a contractual relationship with Person A, but a woman is denied the right to enter into the same contract with Person A (or vice versa).

In any other contract law scenario I can think of, such a prohibition would be blatantly illegal, and I don't understand why it isn't already illegal.

Maybe that's a backward way of looking at it - that it's not so much that gay marriage should be legal, but rather I think prohibiting people from signing contracts based on the gender of the signer should be illegal.

[Ms. Toad]

182. The oddity is that it is a three party contract

and the state (the third party) chooses not to enter into the contract unless the other two are of opposite gender (and also in most cases chooses not to accept an assignment of rights and responsibilities from another state {to grant it full faith and credit} if the other state happened to enter into a contract with two people of the same gender.

The second part is why my marriage (to which British Columbia is a party) is not honored in my home state.

[noamnety]

208. That's an excellent point

and one that I sometimes remember and sometimes forget - that the contract is sort of between two people, but also it obligates a whole bunch of others (the state, the employer, insurers, hospitals, etc.) to provide services as part of the contract. And in some states, those services from third parties can be terminated if it's proven that a penis didn't make it inside of a vagina to seal the deal (consumate it), even though there's nothing in the contract itself that says that has to happen. That's considered a key part of the contract - but think of the reaction if that were actually stated bluntly in the wedding vows. :)

[Career Prole]

78. Absolutely.

It's the rights thing to do.

[ms liberty]

80. yes...

To allow one group of americans to enter into a legal union, and to deny another group of americans that same right based on their sexual orientation is the very definition of discrimination. It's the heart of our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

[HughBeaumont]

81. That's a big fat Yes.

That is all.

[AdvancedProgress]

83. Yes

[Coexist]

84. Yes I do.

Two consenting adults who want to join into a contract with each other, love and care for each other, should not have to get permission from me.

[anarch]

85. yes

[jesus_of_suburbia]

87. YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

I support gay marriage. Anyone who doesn't is heartless.

Two people of the same sex marrying only strengthens the family. Allowing gay marriage
WILL NOT reduce the number of heterosexuals in the world, but it might reduce the number
of divorces in the world (fewer "fake" marriages with more accpetance of gays).

[jesus_of_suburbia]

88. Thank you to all my straight friends......

Your empathy is much appreciated in a hate-filled world. May God and/or Karma bless you.

[movie_girl99]

89. yes I do..100%

I think if two people are in love and committed to one another and choose to seal it with marriage, then more power to them.

[rhiannon55]

90. Yes I do, absolutely

Love is love is love is love....

[buddhamama]

91. 100%

and I insist on the term Marriage for Equality.

The same applies to Common Law Marriages. If a Gay couple lives together for a certain number of yrs predetermined by the Laws of the State, they will be considered Married. No exceptions.

[Felix Mala]

92. I'm gay and I'm a modernist...

I think being gay has quality that transcends tedious out-dated institutions like marriage. I think all marriage should be banned. The breeders aren't making much use of it. They can get in and out of them like they were bumper cars at the carnival. Marriage has no meaning anymore. We should be challenging the neo-cons and theo-cons to outlaw divorce if they think marriage is so important. Watch their popularity with the public fizzle then.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

97. while academically i agree with you, this is not a practical solution

marriage has certain rights that your partner needs and these rights need to be fair to breeders and queers.

green cards, visitiation rights, child custody, tax exempts, health care blah blah

[Ms. Toad]

184. My parents who just celebrated 50 years,

and my spouse and I who just celebrated 25 beg to differ.

[City of Mills]

250. Excuse me?!?!

Breeders??? :mad: Jeez, thanks a lot. As one-half a happily married NON-BREEDING hetero couple, I'd like to say I support gay marriage and honestly don't understand any argument otherwise, but in general I also agree with your assessment of the worth of marriage these days. I also agree with your point about pushing those who further the 'sanctity of marriage' argument to also support outlawing divorce as it seems a natural extention of their argument. Of course, they'd never do that because they would have to admit their true homophobic reasons.

[InvisibleTouch]

263. I would hate to see divorce outlawed.

Too many people are stuck in marriages that they need to get out of - for reasons of physical or emotional safety, or simply because they've grown apart. There's no stigma, to my mind, of acknowledging that this phase of your life is over, and it's time to move on. It should be as easy and painless as possible, in a legal sense.

[mondo joe]

258. And I think it's about being an individual - not being straight or gay.

[williesgirl]

93. Yes, I do as well as adoptions by gay couples.

[grizmaster]

96. of course, gay rights are human rights

and I don't care what anybody says, it should be a priority in personal as well as party politics

[bob4460]

100. It is all about rights

Which is something the moralist have seem to forgotten about! The right to do whatever you want with your own body! It is the same rights that congress used for the Drug War so we can't have that overrun.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

103. Of Course...

[mdmc]

105. I support civil unions for all, I think that marriage is a religious thing

As a catholic, I think of marriage as an unbreakable union between a man and a women, a union that has been solidified by God.

I don't think that man can undue what God has created; I do not agree with the concept of divorce.

So everyone should be allowed to join a civil union.

Marriage would be left to spiritual traditions; if you want to be able to get divorced, get married in a baptist church. If you want to marry your gay partner, get married in a cool leftist church. Some churches will only marry people of the same race; rock on, you spiritual bigots!

civil union = full civil rights.
marriage = union as defined by a wisdom tradition (same rights as a civil union, but with a twist of religion or spirituality).

:hi:

[Stinky The Clown]

106. I completely support it

Unequivocally.

No shading, no caveats.

[IntravenousDemilo]

111. Why, yes, because I'm not a total knob. n/m

[Broken_Hero]

112. Absolutely....

Its a step in equality for all...although, in that regard, we are still many steps behind were we should be, for equality across the board.

[Gelliebeans]

113. ABSOLUTELY!

[kevinbgoode]

114. YES

The legal right to make my OWN decisions about what happens to me in personal experiences is paramount to the definition of freedom. At the same time, when those personal decisions involve my CHOICE of a partner in life, those legal rights should be my ENTITLEMENT as an American citizen, not some piece of amendment denial paper thrown in my face by a bunch of strangers who think they possess a golden peepee because it points at a set of boobs.

In my opinion, if it is too difficult to extend basic rights to EVERY citizen to have control over the most personal experiences in life, then they should be stripped from everyone. I should be under no obligation to financially contribute institutions for heterosexuals only.

[cassiepriam]

115. Yes. nt

[Nicole]

117. Yes I do

[Lilith Velkor]

118. No, because it perpetuates discrimination against single people

Why should my neighbor have to pay a higher tax rate than me just because I'm half a couple and he isn't? That's bullshit.

[bliss_eternal]

197. I don't understand...

do you mind clarifying? No flames, just sincerly seeking to understand your perspective. :) How does this perpetuate discrimination against singles?

[Lilith Velkor]

238. Seeking 'marriage rights' is seeking couple privilege

I see no reason why any sort of sexual relationship should have any bearing on taxes, or whether you can visit somebody in the hospital or jail or any of that.

People should be allowed to have any kind of economic partnership they choose, and who they live and love with should be their own business, and not any damn business of the government.

In other words, marriage, whether gay or straight, creates and perpetuates a privileged class which should be abolished. People make unfortunate partnerships and go through unecessary heartache and sorrow attempting to join this privileged class. Why not eliminate the pressure to do so by revoking the privilege and making it irrelevant?

[mondo joe]

246. Because marriage is a formal contract between two people, merging

their assets and liabilities and bestowing on each certain authority to make decisions for each other.

If people want to form partnerships there must be some legal recognition of the contract.

What do you oppose about that?

[Lilith Velkor]

248. So is incorporation

Incorporation is a legal contract between any number of people, regardless of whether their relationship is sexual or not.

For example, four people could form a small corporation called "The marriage of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, LLC" or something like that, shortened in informal parlance to, "our marriage," and there's nothing the churches could do about it to make it illegal, without pissing off the business community. Why not do something like that?

[mondo joe]

256. Because a corporation doesn't carry the full scope of rights or responsibilities

that people assume in a marriage.

[Lilith Velkor]

271. Why should married people have those rights, then?

Does getting married automatically make you more responsible than your single neighbor?

That smacks of superstition, to me. I don't like it when the state buys into superstition.

[gollygee]

247. It's two people who are not related making themselves legally related

they form a new family. As a new family unit, this partner becomes the next of kin. I can't imagine my mom and dad still being my next of kin. That would be madness at this point. A madness gay people are still living with, of course.

I don't understand your negativity about marriage.

[Lilith Velkor]

251. Why should the choice of next of kin

have anything to do with marriage at all? That is a madness we all live with, and I see no reason why we should continue to do so.

[mondo joe]

257. Why? Because that's part of what marriage IS - it's endowing each other

with certain rights within the context of your relationship.

[Jamastiene]

254. If the question had been should single people have to pay higher

taxes than married couples, I can see your point, but in this case, the question is should gay people have equal rights to straight people in this country. I see your point about the tax burden being higher for single people comparatively, but if gay people are not allowed to marry, then we'll always be paying higher taxes anyhow, which won't solve your scenario anyhow.

[Lilith Velkor]

272. I'm saying couples and singles should have equal rights

Gay, straight or whatever. That way it doesn't matter if anybody's allowed to get married or not, since it would not confer a special privilege.

[riona]

120. Yes

[Parche]

121. support

I support anything gay just to piss off the right wingers
what is it of their business anyway?

I support gay marriage, gay divorce, gay equality,gay housing, gay anything.

We are all together in the human race, its about time everyone knows that!!!!

[sabbat hunter]

122. civil unions for all

anyone who wants to be recognized under the law and get equal rights a such (next of kin, insurance, SS benefits etc) get a civil union.

if you then want to get a religious marriage, that would be up to the couple and any church (or whatever) they attend.


call them ALL civil unions.

[bliss_eternal]

186. Why should they be called civil unions?

I'm not trying to flame you, I'm sincerely confused as to why the glbt community should be any different than anyone else. :shrug: I don't have a 'civil union certificate' I have a marriage license.

Why shouldn't a same-sex couple have the same thing?

[sabbat hunter]

187. i said call all unions

civil unions, gay and straight

[bliss_eternal]

194. Oh, thanks for the clarification.

Sorry for the misunderstanding on my part. :)

[terrya]

123. Of course I support same-sex marriage.

We have the right to marry and to have our marriages legally recognized.

There are no reasons whatsoever to deny us these marriages. No legal reasons, no moral reasons, no ethical reasons.

Period, end of discussion. This is a no-brainer.

[Richard Steele]

124. Yes I do. eom

[Duncan Grant]

125. Yes, I do. Want to see a photo of my wedding at SF City Hall?

I can never resist an opportunity to post these pictures. It's my way to make a lurking fundy/freeper's day. :D

My husband and I on March 11, 2004:



Below are two wedding photos that were taken in February 2004. Look at how happy they are:

[terrya]

137. Nice pictures. I believe I know who the lesbian couple are.

I believe...they're Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon. This lovely couple are pioneers in the gay rights movement...they started an organization called the Daughters of Bilitis in the 1950's. It can be safe to say that we owe them a LOT.

And that's a nice pic of you and your husband. :-)

[Duncan Grant]

154. You're right! I think they've been together for over 50 years now.

50 years...can you imagine? :hi:

[terrya]

157. I know...I think they were the first couple to get married, right?

And here's a vow...let's both of us be together with our guys for 50 years...how about that? :-)

:hi:

[Duncan Grant]

158. Only 40 years to go...

How's 'bout you? :D

[terrya]

162. Only 44 years for us

:-)

[Ms. Toad]

196. 25 for us. n/t

[ThomCat]

171. Wow! That last photo is historical!

They all are, and they're all wonderful photos. But two of the icons of the early gay rights movement from back in the fifties finally having a wedding ceremony! That's fantastic!

I wish California was still recongnising those weddings. :(

[Justpat]

127. Yes.

I have a step brother who is gay and has lived with his
lover for over ten years.

Nothing would make me happier than to go to the wedding
of these two dear people.

[Turn CO Blue]

129. Absolutely - Why shouldn't gays be as miserable as the rest?

(That was a joke ba dumpt tum-- but it IS common knowledge that most marriages fail and that many married people are miserable in their legal long-term relationships - and stay miserable (and hostile) long after the relationship is dissolved)).

I just wish we could all find a partner to beautifully complete us -- where we grow closer, more supportive, and more cherished over the years. Whether that truly involves a ceremony with cake and flowers or legal documentation remains to be seen.

The marriage agreement itself does not make for a good partnership - that just signifies the beginning - something much deeper and more mature is needed to make it to the end.

----
P.S. In case it wasn't clear - I support human rights for gays, straight, all.

[flvegan]

130. With every fiber of my being, yes.

[Kerrytravelers]

131. YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES


:bounce: I think my position is pretty clear. :bounce:

[cadmium]

132. Yes. 101%. It is a civil right. It didnt matter to me at first. I changed my mind n/t

[Chorophyll]

134. I support gay marriage 100%!

And I won't even make the obligatory "if you want to be as bored and miserable as us straight people" joke. :)

[Blue_In_AK]

135. I personally do...

No reason why gay people shouldn't have the same rights and privileges as all the rest of us. All this anti-gay stuff is just stupid IMO.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

136. Absolutely.

The Republicans' use of this as a catalyst for their base has been one of the more depressing political developments of the past six years.

[Balbus]

138. Yes

[WritingIsMyReligion]

139. Uhm, duh, of course I do.

:D

:hi:

[countingbluecars]

140. Yes! eom

[Dora]

141. Yes. Marriage for everyone who wants it.

[Kazak]

143. I do...

You may kiss the...uh...each other.

:)

[Proud MD Liberal]

145. Yes, without any reservations

It's just the right thing to do. The arguments against sound just like a throwback to an earlier era when miscegenation laws and constitutional amendments were put in place only to fall later.

[Sugar Smack]

146. Yes, I do!

:toast:

[Solon]

147. YES, 100%! n/t

[boolean]

149. Yes (nt)

[MoonRiver]

150. Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I?

I'm a happily married heterosexual. Marriage is a financial and emotional commitment that should not be taken casually. That said, wtf difference does it make whether a person commits to somebody of a different or the same sex, as long as they promise to honor that commitment???

[G_Leo_Criley]

151. yes

...absolutely.


glc

[Hubert H. Hubert]

152. Heavens NO!!!!111

Because then our society will tumble down the slippery slope towards http://www.burntorangereport.com/archives/001855.html">box turtle matrimony!

[roguevalley]

153. yes I do, without reservation.

[zulchzulu]

155. Imagine the money the wedding industry could make with gay marriage

For that reason alone, I say YES!

:->

[ThomCat]

172. Do you work in the wedding industry?

:)

[zulchzulu]

207. I've played piano at some weddings...but that's about it

Seriously though, you'd think Hallmark or whoever would want gay marriage, if only for the new card lines...

[Zhade]

156. Yes, I'm not a bigot.

(Plus, I'm queer, so...)

[riderinthestorm]

159. Yes!!!

[stepnw1f]

160. My Sister is Getting Married within the Year

to her mate. So yes, I'm in full support of Gay Marriage.

[varun]

161. Yes

I know that it is not for all gay people to marry, but some may wish to, and they should get that right.

[paulk]

163. yes

and it sucks that my state just voted down civil unions and passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

But, you know, time is on your side. Polls show that 18 - 24 yr olds overwhemingly support the idea. It's a generational thing. That doesn't help much now, I know, but it will come.

[ScreamingMeemie]

164. If it's good enough for me...it's good enough for all...

I am interested in the results of your post, priyanka... So many say they support it, and then so many are willing to sweep it under the rug come campaign time. :hi:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

165. Hell no!

Made you look! :evilgrin:

Of course I support it. Hey, Pri! :hi:

[bliss_eternal]

199. You got me.

;) I totally looked.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

217. I saw the "hell no" and I was like, "I'm gonna kick this dude's ass, then I looked at the name and..

I was like, "That jackass is just trying to get people to click on his post." I was right!

:rofl:

:hi:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

219. Ha ha, gotcha!

And believe me, you'd kick my ass no matter the circumstances. :hi:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

222. LOL!

You're right!

[Starbucks Anarchist]

225. But I'll come prepared.

I'll bring a box of tarantulas with me. :evilgrin:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

227. Fine, I'll bring Dr. Gonzo. He has a taste for human blood.

He might be a gimpy three-legged lizard, but he's one badass motherfucker.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

228. Your fear of spiders trumps my fear of reptiles.

And I'll bring Raoul Duke, king of the spiders! :rofl:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

232. Actually, Raoul Duke is Dr. Gonzo's sister.

Here they are together (Raoul Duke is the smaller one):

[hunter]

166. Yes.

YES!

(I hope that's clear.)

[ourbluenation]

167. yep yep - civil equality for all. n/t

[madmusic]

168. I'd vote for and not against it.

[JoMama49]

169. I thought it was a bolster to family values, myself, i guess i must

be nuts?

[Gwerlain]

170. Sure. In fact, without hesitation or a second thought.

And it's a personal question for me... my sibling might elect to take advantage of it some day. And if s/he so elected, I'd be there if invited, and would enjoy it. And how could I support it for hir, and not anyone else?

[Unvanguard]

173. Yes. Absolutely.

There is no good reason at all to oppose them.

[rug]

174. Why?

[Cleita]

175. I do. If many of our means of getting things done and legitimized

is through marriage, then everyone should be able to partake of it.

[More Than A Feeling]

177. Yes, I do.

Life is so short, and if someone can share it with the one whom they love, what does it matter which sex that person is? Also, denying marriage to gays and lesbians, with all the rights and privileges attendant therein, amounts to creating 2nd class citizens, and I do not support creating 2nd class citizens. Not one bit.

[JerseygirlCT]

178. Absolutely nt

[hiaasenrocks]

179. Undecided.

It's not anywhere near a political priority of mine. Perhaps one day I'll hear an argument from one side or the other that will convince me. Both sides have relatively decent arguments, but none of them are convincing.

For the record, I voted "No" last Tuesday on South Carolina's ban of gay marriage. Not because I'm in favor of gay marriage, but because I didn't favor a "ban" on something that may make sense somewhre down the line. I think society really needs to think about this, carefully, before we decide one way or another.

But again, it's not a priority of mine, nor do I ever see it being one. There are far too many pressing issues that deserve center stage, in my opinion.

[bliss_eternal]

181. Have you considered...

that not supporting gay marriage is enabling others to deny human beings rights? Why not just think of those involved as "people" and human beings--which is what they are first and foremost. Should anyone really have the right to not prioritize the rights of others in civilization?

No need to respond. Just wanted to give you some other ways to consider the issue at hand.

I say this as a woman, who would not have the right to vote today if some brave people didn't consider me, or my rights a priority.

While you may not see it as high on YOUR list of priorities, what about those that go without such rights? Who makes the stand on their behalf if we do not?

[hiaasenrocks]

185. Yes, heard those points.

They're not bad ones. Still, not convincing or overwhelming, in my opinion. I don't think this issue is in any way comparable to women's suffrage or the rights of people of a certain race to enjoy the same Constitutional rights as everyone else.

Thanks for the civil response. :) I've responded to this type of question before and pretty much got nothing but troll-ish responses.

Now, I'm off to the movies! Have a good night.

[bliss_eternal]

192. No problem...

there's no reason to not be civil. :)

You are totally entitled to your beliefs. I'm not trying to change your mind--because no one's going to change mine on this issue. I just don't understand how this isn't the same as women's suffrage or the struggle of equality for people of color?

I see it as the same thing. Human beings struggling to be seen and treated as equal under the law.

[kiahzero]

202. Would you care to explain what decent arguments you've heard against SSM?

I've yet to hear one. I've looked for them, so that I can know how to argue against them, but I haven't found one.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

213. You're undecided on whether all Americans are equal? Wow.

That's impressive.

I'd like to know your reasons why you're undecided on this matter. I simply find it shocking that people can be undecided on the equality of all Americans.

[nofurylike]

214. "But again, it's..." (ie, EQUAL RIGHTS) "not a priority of mine..." nt

[gollygee]

241. Why does society need to think about it carefully?

what bad things do you think could possibly happen?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

242. Duh, the gays will get married and brimstone & stuff will rain down.

[Sapphocrat]

268. Maybe you haven't noticed the replies to your post...

...so I'll repeat the question:

What "relatively decent arguments" have you heard from the anti-gay forces?

I'd be satisfied to hear just one.

[2bfree]

180. Of course.

:)

[area51]

183. Yes.

It always amazes me that nazis think they have the right to vote on gay people's equal rights. If gays aren't given the same rights as straights, I don't think they should pay all of their taxes.

[Scout]

189. yes. n/t

[tinfoil tiaras]

190. Duh. Gay people are people too and they deserve the same rights as everyone else.

Nuff said. :hi:

[BootinUp]

191. Yes. n/t

[we can do it]

193. Absolutely, Equal Rights for All

[jgraz]

195. No, but that's cuz I'm against marriage

:evilgrin:

[Ekirh]

198. YES!!!

Enough said.

[kiahzero]

200. Absolutely. (n/t)

[bdamomma]

201. yes, and they make great parents too.

[adamblast]

203. As I live and breathe

I more than support it. I long for it.

[laundry_queen]

204. Of course, without question. n/t

[MacGregor]

205. Yes, and count me among the apalled that it's even still up for debate.

The idea that in America, in 2006, we would actively deny -- hell, even consider denying -- consenting adults one of the major rights of adulthood grieves me infinitely more than any potential gay marriage ever could. Frackin' South Africa allows gay marriage, fercryinoutloud.

[hsher]

206. Of course

[leesa]

210. Why would anyone NOT support it?

[davidinalameda]

211. no

next thing you know you'll have people marrying their pets and man on dog sex

sorry-was channeling fail Repuke senators there for a minute

need to up my meds!

[nofurylike]

212. absolutely. eom

[nofurylike]

215. respectfully, i am Lesbian, not Gay. Equal or Equality marriage,

please.
some of the more enlightened media in massachusetts are finally calling it equal or equality marriage, too.

even "same-sex marriage" works. but "gay marriage" does not.



thank you.


peace!

[bliss_eternal]

229. Thank you for the appropriate correction.

:hi:

[nofurylike]

231. thank you, bliss_eternal.

:hi:


peace and solidarity!

[Tatiana]

216. Yes.

I sort of feel like adding "Duh!" What right do we have to tell two people who love each other, who want their lifelong commitment to be recognized by the state and government that they can't?

It's a question of personal freedoms, in my opinion. Honestly, most of the gay couples I know who long to be married have been in committed relationships for 10, 15, 20 years. That's a lot longer than my marriage lasted.

Whatever happened to our civil liberties and the pursuit of happiness?

[Warren DeMontague]

218. Absolutely yes.

'Bout damn time, too.

[upi402]

221. of course n/t

[clyrc]

224. I support it

I have no problem with same-sex marriage.

[lies and propaganda]

226. fuck yes.

a human is a human, we should all be entitled to the same good shit, the same bad shit.

Though im not sure which category marriage falls into ;)

[loyalsister]

230. Equal rights

Yes I do

[MoseyWalker]

233. absolutely and without any hesitation

everyone should be able to feel and experience life the same as others without fear or any kind of humiliation.


absolutely.

[Redbear]

235. Yes.

Very much.

[and-justice-for-all]

236. It shouldnt be debated about...

..It should be a given on the bases of equality. For fucks sake, SOUTH AFRICA??! But we can not have that here in the "Most Powerful Nation on the planet"...WTF?

[SalmonChantedEvening]

237. Yes. n/t

[mandyky]

239. I believe in equal rights under the law,

which includes gays. Long term monogomous relationships should have the same tax, health and civil benefits and rights.

[rucky]

240. This is a no-brainer to me.

I can't even believe it's up for debate.

[Beelzebud]

244. I support it, but to be honest, it's not something I think about very much.

[KalicoKitty]

245. Yes. n/t

[Amonester]

252. Yes. Si. Oui. 是 Sì. да. Ja. ...

In English: Yes.
In Spanish: Si.
In French: Oui.
In Chinese: 是
In Italian: Sì.
In Russian: да.
In German: Ja.
In Greek: ναι

(And in all languages not listed here also.) :hi:

[Jamastiene]

253. Yes. I support it.

If the power vested in a preacher/priest/religious leader is vested by any state, then gay marriage should be legal. Otherwise, equal rights are not available to all people in our country. Equal rights should be available to all. I know if I meet the woman I want to stay with, I would want to marry her whether this state or this government recognizes it or not. It would be much better if the government recognized it though. I might feel like I'm being treated as an equal citizen if gay marriage and gay rights were legalized instead of just some second class citizen who is expected to pay taxes to support a straights only mentality like it is now. That sucks.

[THUNDER HANDS]

255. yes

I can't wait to get married. Not that I'm gay, but I'm really looking forward to marrying my girlfriend. I can't imagine denying someone that right.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

259. Of course I do. I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone, with humanity,

can be against it.

[Maestro]

260. I support it.

One of my wife's and mine best friend couple is a gay couple.

[Withywindle]

261. Oh HELL yes.

And it's not some kind of "side issue" either, it's a matter of civil rights, which is NEVER unimportant.

I've never heard an argument against it that didn't have bigotry at its core. I don't think I ever will, because there isn't one.

[InvisibleTouch]

262. Personally, I'm not a big fan of marriage of any kind...

...but I completely support the rights of any couple, gay or straight, to make that mistake if they wish. :)

[stlsaxman]

264. I have found the love of my life, and at the tender young age of 49...

for the first time in my life believe that marriage is the correct thing to do.

I happen to be a male and she a female. If any two individuals, regardless of gender, feel as my fiancee and I do about and toward one another, why shouldn't they have that option?

So, without reservations- yes!

[KitSileya]

265. You can be darn sure I do.

And I happen to be a practicing Catholic! Marriage to me is a sacrament that is indissoluble, and permanent - if I were to demand that marriage be according to my Church doctrine, a quarter of the adult population in the US would be behind bars for bigamy! In other words, no religious doctrine can be laid as foundation for any marriage recognized by the state, it must needs be a contract, between two or more consenting adults, which gives the individuals rights and duties recognized by the state. The religious sacrament of marriage can then be given by religious communities as they see fit - so that the Catholic Church can deny giving the sacrament of marriage to gay couples (tho' I'm hoping to change that too) while some religious societies give blessing to polyamorous unions. Anyone only married in the Church, will be married before the God they believe in, but not before the state.

[BuelahWitch]

266. Of course

Let people who want to be married be married.

[VelmaD]

267. I don't support marriage, period

I consider it an archaic artifact of a time when women were property and too many people are unable to completely divorce themselves from the mindset that goes with that. There are still ridiculously different expectations of wives vs. husbands and I've seen what has happened to my female friends when they get married. All of a sudden they're expected to cook every night and clean up after everyone and frankly I think it sucks on ice.

Rather than buying into a system designed and perpetuated by the patriarchy that oppresses them, I always kind of hoped that the gay and lesbian community could help bust the gender roles and help lead us in finding something more egalitarian than marriage.

[Lilith Velkor]

270. Thank you

:applause:

[Debbi801]

269. Yes, 100% support it...

So does the hubby.

[NMMNG]

273. Yes

I don't forsee myself ever taking the plunge, but I want the equal right to do so if I ever change my mind.