gay-marriage, civil union? do you think gays should be able to marry?

Answer 1

*sigh*

For the 10000000000000th time: Yes.

Thanks for 2.

Answer 2

Marriage is not a holy ceremony. It is a civil ceremony that is viewed as holy by some members of society. Marriage does not belong to religion. People don't have to get married in a church, and loads of marriages are between non-religious people and have no mention whatsoever of a god in the ceremony or the vows.

Marriage didn't originate with religion either. According to the Bible is was ordained by god, but according to actual historical fact, marriage was a social construct designed as a social and financial union between a couple, and by extension, their families. It wasn't even for love back then.

The nature and purpose of marriage has constantly been redefined over the centuries. First it became an expression of love and commitment, then it became about procreation or raising a family, then taboos about interracial marriages were challenged and ended. The same taboos regarding marriage between two people of the same gender are also being challenged now.

Marriage has meant different things to different people, but one constant is that is has always been a civil union. Every other element of meaning in marriage has been an additive, born from culture or religion.

While marriage has most commonly been between a man and a woman before the last decade, it doesn't mean that's the best or fairest way. Allowing interracial and same gender marriage has not affected anyone negatively, it has merely increased acceptance of those discriminated against in the past and allowed them the same right enjoyed by those who has previously been able to marry without question.

It will not increase the proportion of homosexuals in society, which has remained fairly constant over history (and is theoretically a means of natural population control, as the world is overpopulated).

Marriage has not been mainly about procreation at some points in history, and plenty of people today choose not to marry but still procreate and raise families. Same sex couples can also choose to raise a family by way of adoption, should the state not legally discriminate and block this action.

Having been adopted I can say that it doesn't matter whether or not you are raised by your actual relatives, your aunt and uncle, your older sibling, or an unrelated guardian. All that matters is that there is unconditional love and respect in the relationship, and on the part of the guardian or guardians, the ability to teach and instill this love and respect in the child they are raising.
I love my parents the same as I would if I were their biological child; biology doesn't affect your relationship with people in the slightest. Being related to somebody may give you the perception of being closer, but that is all it is, a perception. Blood relation doesn't magically make you emotionally closer, it is your actions that make you closer, not how or where you were born, or who you were born to.

Answer 3

YES. I could spew out a lot of facts on the legal benefits of marriage that gay people can't get because they can't marry, or the community recognition of marriage that we're denied, but basically what it comes down to (for me) is that when I fall in love with someone, I want to be able to express that love to them through marriage, despite the fact that we're both women. Why should the government keep me from doing this? Like straight marriages are "valid" anymore (I'm not saying that all of them aren't, but the divorce rate is crazy.) Sorry, I could go on forever, but I won't. Sexual orientation shouldn't be the basis of whether or not you marry someone-- it should be love and commitment. I mean, isn't that what marriage is supposed to be about?

Answer 4

My take on the desire for 'gay marriage' is this.
It's not about the commitment being official- (for most couples it already is.)
It IS about the rights that go along with that commitment being legally recognized.
In heterosexual relationships, marriage grants rights to committed couples.
In homosexual relationships those rights are denied.
So call it something else... but find a way to offer equal rights to all persons.
Maybe it's simply a matter of not wanting to admit that gays commit to relationships.. after all, how long has the gay community been accused of being promiscuous?

Answer 5

I believe it to be a matter of religious freedom, and the answer therefore is yes. Those faiths that support gay marriage should be able to perform gay marriage and have those marriages recognized.

Kind thoughts,

Reyn
[e-mail]

Let me note that the extremists like Andre above would be so much more convincing if they allowed some method of contact -- posting inflammatory things -- and seeming to claim to speak for all people of faith when they actually only speak for a fraction of us; while at the same time hiding behind profiles without email or IM -- is very common, and very pitiable, at the same time.

Answer 6

Let them marry. I keep hearing "gay marriage will destroy the sanctity of marriage".

Britney Spears 55-hour marriage
Between Mickey Rooney and Elizabeth Taylor, 16 marriages
The concept of morganantic marriage

And people are worried about gay marriages?

Answer 7

There are over 1000 civil rights and responsibilities that are tied to marriage in the Federal register. Civil unions supply none of them. Marriage does, when Congress gets its act together and rescinds the inaptly named "Defense of Marriage Act."

Answer 8

in a free and democratic society if marriage is condone by the state, then it should not discriminate based on race religion or gender. Leave that to the churches.

Answer 9

Im really not sure why people keep asking this question in this section. At the very least a large majority want gay marrige legal. Why wouldnt we. Its a tad bit biast. Maybe asking in another section would get you better results.

Answer 10

yes,yes I can hardly wait. Then i hope for the rest of the world to see,we love the same and jus as much.marriage is a serious thing and so are feeling

Answer 11

In this country marriage is a legal contract between two people - and I think that any two consenting adults should be able to enter into that contract regardless of gender.