How does giving the same rights to same-sex couples (enjoyed by married ones) constitute...?

Question

"A threat to families and traditional marriage values"?--as some Christian Family Coalition groups have charged in the past.

The city of Bellevue up here in Washington state has finally granted same-sex couples the same rights in employment and health benefits--as granted by married couples.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/318529_bellevue05.html

I think it's a good start in the right direction. Not towards gay marriage, but to the effect that gays and lesbians should be given the same rights as married couples have.

But does this action still pose a distinct threat to family and values, I ask? Or can we get past the racist and xenophobic attitudes we've been harboring towards gays and lesbians as of late?

Honestly, no matter what, change will always take place in our society. We can't escape it, we can't shield ourselves from it, nor can we write laws to make other people second or third fiddle in our nation's diverse population--just because we are scared, afraid, and not wanting to face these changes.

And popularily blaming one political group (liberals, Democrats, etc, etc, etc...) for wanting to support such rights is beyond childish.

You can't expect our nation to grow, change, and evolve--if a part of our society is still stuck in the late 19th, early 20th century's mode of thinking and value system.

The world is a scary place, but we can't face it by going backwards, now can we?

Answer 1

It does not pose ANY sort of threat. Of any kind.
That's just another red-herring that the conservative right uses. Any time you ask them HOW it's a threat, they stammer and quote some outdated book of bronze-age jewish mythology. They can't give you a REAL answer.
Because there isn't any.

Answer 2

I can see how some people would think it's a threat to "traditional marriage values" because usually traditional marriage values include 1 man+1 woman. But I don't agree with denying gays and lesbians rights. It's annoying how homophobic people are sometimes! I don't know how what they're doing is any worse than other families with one man and one woman...especially when you look at what happens in families like this all the time: abuse, divorce, etc. Don't know how it could be worse than that!

Answer 3

I never understood the logic behind that statement, especially if you look at heterosexual marriage today. There is a divorce rate of about 50%, 1 in 4 men cheat on their wife, 1 in 10 women cheat on their husband, domestic violence is rampant. I think the "traditional marriage values" went down the crapper long, long ago. And gay people in no way, shape, or form can be blamed for it because we're not allowed to marry!

Answer 4

My wife and I have been married for 29 years this month. I can not for the life of me figure out how giving marital rights to gay couples could possibly put our marriage in jeopardy. The fact is, the only people that can endanger our marriage is us. Granting full rights to G, L, B and T couples will do nothing but enhance our society. When I say full marital rights I mean exactly that. I consider it a crime that gay couples are prevented from being legally married. I am growing weary of the political cop out of candidates saying "no to gay marriage but I do support civil unions". While that is a step it is far from enough.

Answer 5

"Society" is spoon fed idiots that think less for themselves and follow the flock without thinking about the issue at hand.

If your same sex wife or husband is sick in the hospital, can you see them? Are you family? This issue goes beyond trivial things like the definition of marriage...it's about a person's rights. Gays and lesbians have no rights in many areas and this needs to change. There is nothing wrong with it. The world will not end. Crime will not increase. Roman vomitoriums and orgies will not pave the streets. Life will move on and people will have the rights they deserve. Period.

Answer 6

There is no threat.

The Christian Right has never defeated a constitutional law because "All Men Are Created Equal" in the U.S.

They lost when slavery was abolished, when women were granted the right to vote, when interracial marriages were legalized and they will lose their fight against gays. It's just a matter of time.

Answer 7

Thank you for being a voice of reason. Granting same sex couples all of the same rights and privileges does not nor will not affect the rights of the 'traditional' family, regardless of what the religious reich have to say about it.

In fact, those who claim to be so religious and spout off Bible verse after Bible verse should clean up their own houses first BEFORE spouting off about others.

Answer 8

What groups like "The Christian Coalition" and other similar groups are hoping is that if they confuse "Holy Matrimony" with LEGAL MARRIAGE enough times, the general public will be too ignorant to know the difference.

Unfortunately it's working

Answer 9

I fail to see how upholding the US Constitution, where ALL citizens are supposed to be given equal rights, does absolutely anything to "erode" families or marriage.

Of course, giving equal rights to all DOES erode hatred and bigotry. I guess some people just can't let go of those.

Answer 10

It doesn't. They just is it as an excuse to discriminate against, as if they even need an excuse in the first place. These over zealous religious fanatical organizations are the number one enemy of gay rights, and we must fight them all the way!!!