gay marriage?

Answer 1

Absolutely! I volunteer for a charity trying to legalize it.

This is all about civil rights. We need: tax benefits, health benefits, survivors rights, visitation rights, adoption help, immigration help and equal treatment before the law.

Answer 2

So far the only US State to fully legalize it is Massachusetts, and even there, only to Mass. residents. It has been legal for a little over two years and so far, no walls have come tumbling down.

Under the concept of equal protection under the Law, the Bush Administration and the other 49 states are currently violating the rights of gay and lesbian citizens. (Vermont has a civil parnter act)

The problem however goes back several centuries to a time before Columbus discovered his route to the New World. At one time, marriage was a civil contract between two individuals. It spelled out how both couples brought property into the new family, and how that property would be passed at the death of both. Life was simpler then. We didn't have emergency room consent forms, intensive care, generation skipping tax consequences, child custody cases, etc, etc. At some point along about the 12th century, somebody thought that sanctifying marriages in the church was a way to cement the family to the church, and church weddings began to take place. And since churches often outlasted government, the written record of marriage was often kept only in the church.

Now today we have this complicated system by which the state issues a marriage license (often done by the city or county, but as an arm of the state) and then the ceremony is officiated over by a clergy person. Each state has alternatives for those choosing a non-clergy official; judges, justices of the peace, notaries, ship captains, it varies by location.

So now comes the political right, needing an issue, and they kidnap the religious right, and convince them that if gay marriage were legal, male squirrels would have to be welcome to use the women's washrooms, and that the "institution of marriage" itself is at risk. Had the church waged as strong a war against divorce as it has against gay marriage, the institution would be quite healthy.

In reality, while I disagree with those Christians who feel that gay marriage is wrong, I support their right to not hold gay marriage ceremonies in their sanctuaries, and to not authorize their ministers to perform these ceremonies anywhere. But I whole heartedly applaud those other Christiams who embrace gay people as children of God, and affirm the love that a gay couple has for one another and God by performing gay marriages (in Massachusetts) and gay commitment ceremonies in the rest of the country.

My solution to this dilema is simple. Make everyone who wants to be married, gay, straight or whatever, obtain a civil certificate by having their vows recognized by an official of the state. Then those couples who want a church marriage, go ahead and do that in a church which welcomes them. There is a UCC minister in Asheville, NC who is voluntarily enforcing this policy in his own congregation (with the consent of his membership) and it's working just fine.

Answer 3

Look at the statistics. Marriage does not work for straight people. One of every two FIRST marriages end in divorce within whatever period of time the statistics covered. I seriously doubt anyone is even bothering to track the success to failure ratio of 2nd or 3rd (etc) marriages and if the study had covered a longer period of time I suspect the ratio would have been higher than 50/50. These statistics are of course based on heterosexual marriages since legal marriage among gays is prohibited. In light of these statistics I say turn marriage over to gay people and see if they can do any better and perhaps it's straight people that should not be allowed to marry. :-) Better yet, abolish marriage altogether since marriage is a religious institution sanctioned and enforced by the government and therefore quite possibly the highest violation of the separation of church and state.

Answer 4

Because I don't believe in the church or one almighty god when i think of my wedding day its not a declaration to god its a chance for me to stand up and tell my friends and family that this is the man i love and the man ill spend the rest of my life with so i think no matter gay straight whatever if you love each other and want to spend the rest of your lives together then why shouldn't it be seen in the eyes of the law and what does it really matter whether 2 men 2 women or a man and a women get married

Answer 5

"Gay Marriage", no............... Civil Unions, Yes.

As a gay man I dont believe in Gay marriage.... However, to do believe in a legal civil unions between same sex partners. ..... We need to force leglized unions that will support and ensure that we have the same "rights" that a man and woman would have...

Answer 6

I don't just want a gay marriage...I want a Gay Catholic Marriage!

I know...I set my sights high.

Answer 7

Gay marriage should be legal in every state...I believe that people have the right to pursue happiness!

Answer 8

Totally for it!!! But you know they say that if gay marriage is approved then we'll all start marrying animals next. LOL!!!

Answer 9

I think it should be valid, just like a straight marriage, like in Canada

Answer 10

Nah...I'll pass ..and I'm gay
The str8's ruined the institution of marriage therefore since they have they can keep it.
I don't need a piece of paper to tell me I have a life partner and soulmate. As long as no one f*cks with my rights then I'm happy.