Gay marriage views?

[Howe_zat]

One curious thing is the way gay couples, specifically, are excluded from adoption. In many jurisdictions (such as New Zealand, for example) it's perfectly legal for a single parent to adopt a child when the gay couple can't. The odd thing about this is that you clearly can't "check" if the single person is gay or not, or whether they will later enter a long term relationship.

[GIMH]

Haha, that is a bit odd

[PhoenixFire]

It's not odd, it's absolutely outrageous.

[Top_Cat]

Originally Posted by silentstriker

Haha, I almost didn't do it. And when I did, I had to go and take a shower. Twice. I sure hope I don't have to do it again.

I'm sure I'll feel the need to shower twice if we ever meet, tbh.

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by FaaipDeOiad

Incidentally I don't think the state should be involved in marriage in any way at all. If the church wants to have a ceremony and only let straight couples or people with blonde hair or people named Julio or whatever participate and they call it marriage, that's their business. Once the state is involved, you offer every couple the same title for their married state, as well as the same legal rights, or it's discrimination.

This is an outstanding point. For all those that think that “marriage” should be defined as the union of one man and one woman, they should strongly lobby to get the state out of the marriage business altogether. For as long as the state is involved, then there can be no differential between the union of homo or hetrosexual couples. Individuals or groups can make those distinctions, the state should not.

[FaaipDeOiad]

Originally Posted by Redbacks

Have always been a supporter of civil unions but as time passes my the view against marriage has becomes weaker. Always felt, even thought not religious, that marriage was between a man and a woman, and also was aware from studies of mathematical logic, such a debate is not solved by reason alone (e.g. postmodernism for the humanties type) the main thing tipping the balance for is the harm principle, it doesn't really do anything to harm me. The main shift in opinon due to becoming more aware that the 'equality in financial' terms via legislation is only one aspect of the issue.

There really seems to be a disconnect for family friends who are gay can only really announce there sexuality dependent on their career. For example, one academic and an artist lead a life as openly gay, yet a doctor and teacher still don't feel comfortable, or don't feel it's necessary for their employers to know as parents and patients will become concerned. This type of problem doesn't really get solved by a legal loophole, and pigeon holes people into certain sectors of society where it is ok or not so a shift in the legislation could aide this process.

Attitudes will change over time and I think that even if viewed as mearly sybolism to some, the step towards giving equal recognition will lead to greater freedoms than just a piece of paper and lead to a more accepting community for future generations. As SS has made the point on, things like interacial marriage are generally accepted as the norm as we grew up in a time when it was accepted. I doubt current conservatives who claim they would have supported the issue then really would have, it's in conflict with their value system which requires constant challenge (but also provides a useful handbreak at times against the loopy left and crazy right).

This is great post, and sums up the main reason why there is a meaningful difference between marriage and civil partnership.

[silentstriker]

NY state just passed a historic bill and the governor immediately signed it into law. Passed through with the support of a couple of republicans who decided at the last minute. New York now the third state (and by far the most populous) to legalize gay marriage. Awesome stuff. 47 states still to go though - California being the next big prize.

[FaaipDeOiad]

Yeah, good news.

In a few decades, people will look back on this issue with utter disbelief, as they do now with civil rights issues of the past, like the fact that women couldn't vote a century ago, southern blacks couldn't attend university less than 50 years ago, and that homosexuality was considered criminal, a mental illness or both in many parts of the developed western world less than 30 years ago, and still is in other parts of the world today. These abhorrent forms of discrimination were kept in place via the logic of protecting traditional values, separate but equal, protection of children from being raised in abnormal environments, and the other tired defences of bigotry people use for gay marriage today.

Luckily, times change. I look forward to the day when politicians try and hide from the fact that they used to opposed gay marriage, like they did with these other things later in their careers.

[SirBloody Idiot]

Awesome quote from Roy McDonald who was one of the Republicans who voted in favour:

You get to the point where you evolve in your life where everything isn't black and white, good and bad, and you try to do the right thing. You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, **** it, I don't care what you think. I'm trying to do the right thing. I'm tired of Republican-Democrat politics. They can take the job and shove it. I come from a blue-collar background. I'm trying to do the right thing, and that's where I'm going with this.

[cover drive man]

Brilliant quote sbi.

Gotta love the 'Date a policeman' ad for uniformdating.com at the bottom of the screen though

[Spikey]

The rest of Roy McDonald's life, two weeks top

[Goughy]

My thoughts have been consistent for years on this topic, Ie. It is an issue that does not concern my day-to-day life. Of course people should be allowed to marry if it makes them happy. Of course it should be a non-issue. In the same way that if people want to snowboard then they should be able to. I dont understand the attraction with homosexuality or snowboarding for that matter but just because it has no relevance to me doesnt mean that I would want to prevent others from doing it and nor do I presume my lifestyle is the only way to live. I have no stake in the issue but others do. I am happy for those to get a provision they desperately want rather than be blocked by people who dont.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by Goughy

My thoughts have been consistent for years on this topic, Ie. It is an issue that does not concern my day-to-day life. Of course people should be allowed to marry if it makes them happy. Of course it should be a non-issue. In the same way that if people want to snowboard then they should be able to. I dont understand the attraction with homosexuality or snowboarding for that matter but just because it has no relevance to me doesnt mean that I would want to prevent others from doing it and nor do I presume my lifestyle is the only way to live. I have no stake in the issue but others do. I am happy for those to get a provision they desperately want rather than be blocked by people who dont.

This.

[duffer]

Heh

[GotSpin]

Indeed