Gay Marriage

[zgalhardo]

What's your stance on Gay Marriage? It shouldn't even be an issue, but it is, so I want to hear everyone's thoughts, especially those in opposition.

[Abrupt]

I am of three minds on this.  The traditionalist part of me is entirely against gay marriage (stipulation here and it is only the use of the word 'marriage').  The libertarian part of me says that what someone else does is none of my business so long as it has no burdensome effect upon me.  The greedy *bleep* part of me says that if a group can get special privileges for themselves based upon their definition then I also want these same special privileges based upon my definition (I want the same benefits without involving a spouse where I can just pick someone to have the legal powers).

[sigmapi1501]

STICKLER ALERT.... It's actually "Same-Sex" Marriage. Not Gay Marriage.  

[falcon9]

STICKLER ALERT.... It's actually "Same-Sex" Marriage. Not Gay Marriage.  

It's good that you made that distinction since we all 'know' that "marriage" shouldn't be "gay", merry, carefree, happy, cheery, joyful, vivacious, light-hearted, chipper or jovial.  Instead, it ought to be as serious, grave, solemn, joyless, staid, sedate, unhappy, morose, grim sad, depressed and melancholy as any opposite-sex marriage, aye? *
 

* - definition of "gay" and it's antonyms from dictionary.com

[dreamyxo]

I don't care one bit.

[gamerpeeps]

I think everyone has the right to be with the one they love and have all the same benefits (including the miserable ones) of a committed relationship such as marriage. The present laws discriminate against those rights because of the same-sex issue which is not fair. Do they actually define marriage as being between a man and a woman in the laws? The dictionary I used defines marriage as an "intimate association or union" but it does not specify that it is to be with a man and a woman. Sexual preference should not be an issue when it comes to rights of individuals committing to an intimate union aka marriage!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

[tzs]

As long as people are happy, It really doesn't matter to me. Its the same as a man and a woman getting married!!!!

[falcon9]

I think everyone has the right to be with the one they love and have all the same benefits (including the miserable ones) of a committed relationship such as marriage. The present laws discriminate against those rights because of the same-sex issue which is not fair. Do they actually define marriage as being between a man and a woman in the laws? The dictionary I used defines marriage as an "intimate association or union" but it does not specify that it is to be with a man and a woman. Sexual preference should not be an issue when it comes to rights of individuals committing to an intimate union aka marriage!    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

"State law and/or constitutional provision limits marriage to relationships between a man and a woman:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming"
-- http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/human-services/same-sex-marriage-overview.aspx

Such laws do not normally prohibit "civil unions", "hand-fastings", or "domestic partnerships" however, the legal rights of those is often more restrictive, (not equivalent to), opposite-sex marriages.  Specifically pertaining to certain property, estate and tax laws.  For some "reason", many right-wing religious adherents perceive the word/institution of "marriage" as an exclusive religious domain which pertains only to the union of a man & a woman when it actually excludes many "civil unions", "hand-fastings", or "domestic partnerships" from the same rights in the legislative language of several state laws.

[zgalhardo]

Being gay myself, I'm completely for it, and would be even if I were heterosexual. Virtually everyone in opposition cites religion, which has no place in the law. The argument shouldn't have to go any further, but it does, and there are plenty of points to be made past that. If anyone is strictly against it and wants to delve into discussion, I'm bored.

[sofistak8ed]

I am a gay marriage supporter!!! I feel that anyone who loves another person should have the right to affirm their love in the way the feel best for them...Not to mention my sister happens to be gay...

[diala84]

I think anyone should have the right to get married with the same benefits. However I do understand that not everyone agrees with this and I believe pastors and churches should have a say in what types of ceremonies are preformed in their churches. To be fair states that are mostly against same-sex marriage would still allow same-sex marriage in a government sanctioned services, out of state or at a church that allows for same-sex marriage. 

[kords21]

If it's what makes 2 people happy, then go for it. I think the whole debate is kind of silly. The anti-same sex marriage side argues that it'll destroy marraige, which I don't get, how can having more of something destroy it? If they're that into the "sanctity of marriage" why aren't they out protesting divorce? I really don't care what people do in their own homes, own lives as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else or damage anyone else's property. I thought it was the land of the free and all that. Homosexual soldiers are told to go fight and put their live on the line for freedom, only to be told when they come back they can't marry who they love, crazy.

[gamerpeeps]

Thank you falcon9 for clarifying about the laws. I was so angry with this one hospital that would not let a friend of mine visit his significant other in the ICU because he was not a "relative".  The couple had been together for 20 years and there were no other relatives around to visit. It was so very sad. That is just not right!

[falcon9]

Thank you falcon9 for clarifying about the laws. I was so angry with this one hospital that would not let a friend of mine visit his significant other in the ICU because he was not a "relative".  The couple had been together for 20 years and there were no other relatives around to visit. It was so very sad. That is just not right!

You're welcome. My position has long been that the same "rights", priviledges and laws should apply to any civil, (or 'uncivil'), unions according to the informed consent of the parties involved and not according to specious religious strictures and precepts.

[mardukblood2009]

I am all for Gay marriage and just the gay thing in gerenal. There are just to many unwanted people and it has to stop some how.