What do people think of domestic partnership?Should gay men and women,have a right to get married.?
441355
The government should not be in the business of deciding who people can get married to, barring very compelling reasons. Certainly, the government shouldn't be discriminating on the basis of gender. "You can marry him, because he's male, but you can't marry her, because she's female." \n\nThe Supreme Court threw that kind of logic out 30 years ago in in Loving v. Virginia (1967) when the states tried to apply it to race. The states tried to argue that it wasn't racial discrimination, because blacks could only marry blacks, and whites could only marry whites, so it applied equally to all races. It was nonsense 30 years ago and it's nonsense today.\n\nThe problem with domestic partnerships or civil unions is that they are not the same as marriage. Even if they happen to provide the same rights as marriage in the home state, those rights are nor portable.\n\nA married (heterosexual) couple could go to any other of the US states or any US federal territory, as well as many other countries, and all of their legal rights and privileges for being married automatically go with them. If they are married in one state, they are married in every state. That's what the Constitution guarantees with the Full Faith and Credit clause, and the Privileges and Immunities clauses.\n\nBut, if a homosexual couple gets a civil-union , then as soon as they leave their home state, in 47 other states they have no rights whatsoever. Civil unions are not recognized as marriages, nor are domestic partnerships. What's more, civil unions and domestic partnerships aren't even recognized as convertible, even though they have the same purpose -- to grant marriage-like rights to people who don't happen to fit the majority paradigm.\n\nThe question shouldn't be: do we think gay people should be able to get married?  Because if you think that's really the question, you should have no objection to two straight women getting married, just for the tax benefits and other legal advantages. Men and women get married all the time, without any romantic connection, just for the legal benefits that marriage provides (health insurance, survivor rights, community property rights, tax breaks, etc.). \n\nSo, if the issue was really sexual orientation, two straight people of the same gender should be allowed to get married. \n\nThe issue is that some people just like being prejudiced, and some people just like imposing their religious doctrine on others. And sadly, those people happen to be in the 51% majority at the moment. So, it's might-makes-right bullying.\n\nAny single consenting adult should be allowed to choose to marry any other single consenting adult. Neither gender nor race should have anything to do with it.
850864
Congrats on coming out!!...Although I totally agree with gay people being allowed to marry, we have to examine the political climate of what we're dealing with.  Anytime another group is pushed into a corner they are gonna be on the defensive.  This is what's happening with gay marriage.  Christians (being riled up by the Republicans) feel it's an attack on the "sanctity" of marriage.  I won't even try to get into all the ironies of that statement, but it is in fact how they feel.  The gay community feels that a fundamental right is being taken away and so the push for legalized marriage intensifies.  \n\nThe only solution for this situation is for the gay community to back off for "marriage" and to push for civil unions.  Having all the same legal rights, benefits, and legal consequences (divorce) as marriage..but not calling it marriage.  This would be a true separation of church and state, it would ease the Christians minds of marriage being on the attack and essentially take away any arguing points on the issue. It would allow the gay community to benefit form what straight people have been enjoying for centuries.\n\nUnfortunately we live in such a political charged atmosphere that such compromises have to made to get a solution.  It isn't necessarily right...but it's the best way for us to realistically achieve our goal of legal rights.  If the marriage push continues by the gay community it's only going to cause increased tensions  and our ability to enjoy equal rights will be a long time away.
799250
Gays should have the same rights as straight couples..if they are 2 people who love each other who cares what they do in the bedroom?  My rights are not governed by what I do in the bedroom!
608184
i don't see a problem in two people that are in love with each other, not just having sex. but two good honest, loving people who are the same sex should have the right to marry just like anyone else. \n\ni don't see whats so wrong in it, if it has nothing to do with you or I? just cause they want to get married though doesn't mean they should get special privileges and I'm sure most gay people know this. they should have to pay taxes and whatever else goes along with being married. \n\nnow their are tons of orphanges  out their with children that have no home or parents, or any kind of love. if they can get adopted by two loving parents, even if they are the same sex, it really shouldn't matter, if their being taken care off and loved just like any other children.\n\ni mean i saw an episode of MTV once where they had children from a gay family. they seem normal and happy in their situations, neither of them looked ashamed to have a two moms or two dads. \n\ni just think society needs to relax a bit on this whole thing. its not that big of a deal, i really don't think god or Jesus cares who we marry, with sex, color or age. he would want us to be happy and loved by those we choose to love.
1068992
I personally think it is silly to want the state involved in any marriage either straight or gay. Marriage is a formal ceremony stating your intentions before God it is a travesty and an abomination to invite the state to take part in such a union. I have a marriage license but only because my minister required it. I think if I was to get married now I would find a minister who would agree to do it with out the states intrusion. Regardless of if I was marrying a man or a woman. Although as a bisexual I don't think I would ever get married again.
365328
I think gay marriage is the least of our problems right now.\n\nLet 'em get married if they want.  If you don't believe in gay marriage- don't marry one!  Seriously.  \n\nAs someone once said, "I think gay people should be allowed to get married.  They deserve to be as miserable as the rest of us."\n\nBTW... England now allows for same-sex unions.  They don't seem to be doing bad.  In fact, their economy is MUCH better than ours!
625476
No, there is nothing wrong with it.  If a gay couple is in love, they deserve every right a hetero couple has. Marriage rights are exactly that, rights. And ever American is entitled to them. Some liberals even buy the conservative rhetoric against gay marriage. A common conservative tactic against liberal proposals is to convince the public that it would be  devastating financially. Similar arguments were made about abolishing slavery, workers unions, raising the minimum wage, and environmental protections. Gays represent about 5% of the population. Considering the number of hetero couples that get married and divorced, and the overall makeup of the economy, including the hundreds of billions spent on wars, corporate welfare, social programs, and numerous other government programs, the impact would be minimal and the economy would adjust without serious consequences.\n\nIt has more to do with religous idealogy and bigotry - they often go hand in hand. It's not only the idea of a gay couple being together they don't like, or the pretense that it would somehow cheapen their marriage. Along with marriage rights they would have the right to adopt, which also goes against their personal/religous beliefs.
435319
Vote for gay rights and gay marrage.... For all the straight people out there... wouldnt you be upset if you couldnt marry the one you love or wanted to spend the rest of your life with... YES I thought so... thats where this falls into play for the gay and lesbian communities who want to be married. VOTE YES FOR GAY MARRAGE AND RIGHTS. Its the year 2006 shouldnt we be ending this fight!!!
667224
Gays should be allowed the right to marry. There's nothing morally wrong with it! If too people are in love then why not? If they're happy together and are already going to share there lives together, why not give the same rights as everyone else. Everyone who's so against it needs to just back off. If you're so against them, don't go to a gay wedding. Pretend that they don't exist like you normally do. Go bury your heads under the covers and read your precious bible. Believe it if you will, but don't ruin other's peoples lives over it. Does the bible preach about loving thy neighbor or something like that? Then why are christians and the like so close minded? If they have an all accepting God, then why aren't they? Let the gay people have their marriages and their lives. It isn't hurting you any!
1088449
Marriage, straight or gay, should not have anything to do with any government.  Period.  It is a decision to be made (or not made) between the individuals involved.\n\nNice avatar, btw.
1174446
I'm perfectly fine with the idea of gay marriage. Perhaps those against gay marriage just done want to be outdone by spectacularily fab weddings that are sure to be the result of gay weddings. On the downside, if gay weddings would be lavish, tastefull affairs can you imagine how nasty a gay divorce would be! Yes, I am being silly, but in all seriousness I think that whoever wants to get married should be able to.
807444
A big yes! They should comply with the guide lines that they can offer a stable home, personal references and the desire to raise a child. What difference does it make if they are of the same sex. \n\nI know several people who grew up with gay parents & none of them are gay. There are to many children who need homes. If someone is loving enough and able to care for them, why not let them.
955131
I have no arguments against the right of two consenting adults to live together, love & support each other and have a happy life.\n\nIsn't this what everyone wants?
965254
Good morning, dearheart. Good for you. here's my take on gay marriage. I've been married to the same wonderful lady for the last 26 years. She drives OTR semi for a living and I'm a housewife. We both wear wedding rings and feel as married as the next heterosexual couple but I can get none of her health benefits. How my union is hurting society I can't fathom as our relationship has been monogamous for all of it's 26 years and that same union has lasted longer than many heterosexual marriages. There are couples on the LGBTQ site here that have been together for over 40 years (which is a great thing in its own right) How can their love be hurting anyone? Good luck and Blessings on you.
631533
Anyone who loves one another should be able to marry.\n\nIt is sham marriages without love that should be illegal. And divorce, too. Same sex marriages are less likely to end in divorce than straight marriages. Why don't all the people who claim to be standing up for "family values" try to make divorce illegal? I think that they are all thinly veiled gay bashers because if they really cared about family values they would try to reduce the divorce rate.
555593
I think if civil partnerships are legal, then any two people should be allowed to be civil partners if they want, even family members.  It should be completely up to the two people involved, no restrictions.
1119301
Probably the same reason a lot of US states won't.  They say it's wrong because God created man and woman to be together.  and the devil created homosexuality.  People in general just don't accept things that they don't understand and what they have been taught and always have thought was wrong.  I think if two people love eachother who cares.  Does the governor or all these protestors or the judge of the courthouse have to go to the wedding or go to their house?  NO they don't.  I think there are bigger issues than this that states and countries should worry about.  This shouldn't even be an issue.  Its not fair that when two people of the same sex want to get married they get a protest outside their wedding but if two people who have a 60 year difference want to get married they can without any problems from the outside world...Its just sad to think that a 80 yr old man can marry a 20 yr old woman and its ok, even though the woman is only marrying him for his money but two people, of the same sex...which shouldn't even matter, who love eachother want to make a commitment to one another the entire world thinks its their right to come in between it just because God says its not right.  Let God do His job and they should do theirs.\n**by the way I'm not a lesbian...I'm married to a man**