Taking a break from trying, how about you?

[xanphylus]

Love is love no matter how you look at it- gay straight or otherwise. I think it''s crap that my friends have to "consider themselves married". They had a wedding ceremony, probably nicer than mine, and yet they are only "considered married?" What's that supposed to mean?!?! It is not right that a loving couple who can adopt a child together and raise that child as their own can not be legally married to one another simply because they are the same sex. Yes, they can still be a family, but they can't share the true bond of marriage. And as for the religious people, yeah, I go to church too, but I don't think my friends are going to Hell- you don't go to Hell for loving someone. I like to think God is a little wiser than that!

 

[hematite153]

And as for the religious people, yeah, I go to church too, ...

I actually think that this is the part of the fight that bothers me the most. Yes, I go to church, too. In fact, I met my DW at church. It REALLY REALLY bothers me that people are being allowed to destroy Christianity by perverting its public face to something so far from its core. My DW believes that it's important for the majority of Christians to start standing up and telling the world about OUR faith so that we don't get tarred with someone else's beliefs.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Billy, you are a good soul and I hate to see you upset. I just have two points: first- fighting so all Americans have equal rights is HUGELY important and I completely support you in that fight. Second- for your own health and well being- just remember to differentiate between the good fight and fighting with a brainwashed zealot hiding behind an anonymous internet persona who may or may not be posting from prison

Taking a break from *that* is a good thing, IMO.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I actually think that this is the part of the fight that bothers me the most. Yes, I go to church, too. In fact, I met my DW at church. It REALLY REALLY bothers me that people are being allowed to destroy Christianity by perverting its public face to something so far from its core. My DW believes that it's important for the majority of Christians to start standing up and telling the world about OUR faith so that we don't get tarred with someone else's beliefs.

True. My good friend passed away from HIV related complications recently and he was a great Christian- cut hair for the homeless for free, was married in a committed relationship, etc. and did not deserve half of the things he had to endure, including comments about his "lifestyle" not being Christian. He was a better Christian than all of them put together.

 

[TagsMissy]

....as a woman married to a man for 27 years...I never pass up the opportunity to support gay marriage. I'll be damned if anyone tells me that your love is less valid than mine.

Same for me... I am a woman married to a man who lives in a country where gender is irrelevant in the eyes of the law when it comes to marriage - I do hope that everybody gets that opportunity within my lifetime!

Never say never -- I have seen some things occur in the past years that I've never thought I'd have seen so soon so there is always hope

 

[rpmdfw]

To be fair, it's not ALL people of faith that are trying to keep us from gaining full equality.

I certainly don't make a blanket statement like "all religious people are bad because . . ."

It's not true. I know MANY MANY people of faith who are actively working to help us gain full equality.

My problem is with the closed-minded and bigotted people who think that because they have a personal objection to gays and lesbians, they should be allowed to dictate how many rights I should have. That's not the way America works. Equality means equality for ALL, or we haven't fulfilled the promise of our great nation.

If you object to gays and lesbians for religious reasons, that is your right. It is NOT your right, however, to deny me MY full and equal rights as an American citizen. It's as clear and simple as that.

I'm an American, I'm a patriot, I pay taxes, I want full and equal treatment under the laws of our land.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

The Joy Church here in Orlando has some of the most devout Christians I've ever met. They understand that loving in the way of the Christ, is meant to be for ALL G-D'S CREATURES regardless of NOTHING.

Not judging is a good thing, eh? I don't accept all forms of being (for humans) myself, but I don't deny anyone their right to be who and what they are. It's nothing to do with religion, it's simply good manners.

It's tiresome having to explain over and over again why I/we are every much as human as the next person and deserve the same civil liberties...

But, as you've said, Rob. I'll carry on with the "education of the masses" because I really have no other choice.

Sysiphean task if ever there was one.

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

Billy, you are a good soul and I hate to see you upset. I just have two points: first- fighting so all Americans have equal rights is HUGELY important and I completely support you in that fight. Second- for your own health and well being- just remember to differentiate between the good fight and fighting with a brainwashed zealot hiding behind an anonymous internet persona who may or may not be posting from prison

Taking a break from *that* is a good thing, IMO.

Lulu, I'm so very touched by this, thank you so much. As to that last part, yes, I think taking a break from anonymous internet zealots could be extremely productive. And I know you know... well. Thanks...

If you object to gays and lesbians for religious reasons, that is your right. It is NOT your right, however, to deny me MY full and equal rights as an American citizen. It's as clear and simple as that.

I'm an American, I'm a patriot, I pay taxes, I want full and equal treatment under the laws of our land.

I wish it wasn't a right to object to us for religious reasons. That's a right I just can't guarantee that I will ever learn to defend or protect as a tax-paying American. Especially since I am a Christian, and no where in any of Jesus' teachings does he underscore objecting to us. I can't defend the right to hate, I just can't.

 

[rpmdfw]

I wish it wasn't a right to object to us for religious reasons. That's a right I just can't guarantee that I will ever learn to defend or protect as a tax-paying American. Especially since I am a Christian, and no where in any of Jesus' teachings does he underscore objecting to us. I can't defend the right to hate, I just can't.

Oh, no! I would fight and die (were I allowed to serve in our country's military) to defend their right to speak against me. The freedoms of speech and religion are VERY imporatant. Those are the same freedoms that allow us to be free FROM religious persecution, which is essentially what many are trying to push through. They object to our rights on the basis of their religious beliefs. Those beliefs, however are not sufficient for them or the government to discriminate against us. Make no mistake, they ARE discriminating against us, and the very right that allows them to object to our marriages, is the same one that will win it for us.

Do I wish, they'd shut up and go away? You better bevlieve it! Will I tell them they have to? Nope. They're exercising their guaranteed rights. Good for them. I just ask for the same chance. The chance to be treated equally under the law.

So let them hate to their hearts content. I doesn't affect us at all. But scream bloody murder every time one of them tries to use that hate to oppress you, or deny you full and equal treatment under the law.

When they ask you why you should be allowed to marry your S.O. the answer is simple: "I'm an American, I pay taxes, I demand equal treatment under the law." How can anyone argue that?

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

Oh, no! I would fight and die (were I allowed to serve in our country's military) to defend their right to speak against me. The freedoms of speech and religion are VERY imporatant. Those are the same freedoms that allow us to be free FROM religious persecution, which is essentially what many are trying to push through. They object to our rights on the basis of their religious beliefs. Those beliefs, however are not sufficient for them or the government to discriminate against us. Make no mistake, they ARE discriminating against us, and the very right that allows them to object to our marriages, is the same one that will win it for us.

Do I wish, they'd shut up and go away? You better bevlieve it! Will I tell them they have to? Nope. They're exercising their guaranteed rights. Good for them. I just ask for the same chance. The chance to be treated equally under the law.

So let them hate to their hearts content. I doesn't affect us at all. But scream bloody murder every time one of them tries to use that hate to oppress you, or deny you full and equal treatment under the law.

When they ask you why you should be allowed to marry your S.O. the answer is simple: "I'm an American, I pay taxes, I demand equal treatment under the law." How can anyone argue that?

See, there's the rub -- at least with me. I will defend the right to disagree, but I will not defend the right to hate. That makes me un-American, which I understand. But that's just the way it is, for me, right now, on my journey.

 

[inkedupmomma]

To be fair, it's not ALL people of faith that are trying to keep us from gaining full equality.

I certainly don't make a blanket statement like "all religious people are bad because . . ."

It's not true. I know MANY MANY people of faith who are actively working to help us gain full equality.

My problem is with the closed-minded and bigotted people who think that because they have a personal objection to gays and lesbians, they should be allowed to dictate how many rights I should have. That's not the way America works. Equality means equality for ALL, or we haven't fulfilled the promise of our great nation.

If you object to gays and lesbians for religious reasons, that is your right. It is NOT your right, however, to deny me MY full and equal rights as an American citizen. It's as clear and simple as that.

I'm an American, I'm a patriot, I pay taxes, I want full and equal treatment under the laws of our land.

Oh, no! I would fight and die (were I allowed to serve in our country's military) to defend their right to speak against me. The freedoms of speech and religion are VERY imporatant. Those are the same freedoms that allow us to be free FROM religious persecution, which is essentially what many are trying to push through. They object to our rights on the basis of their religious beliefs. Those beliefs, however are not sufficient for them or the government to discriminate against us. Make no mistake, they ARE discriminating against us, and the very right that allows them to object to our marriages, is the same one that will win it for us.

Do I wish, they'd shut up and go away? You better bevlieve it! Will I tell them they have to? Nope. They're exercising their guaranteed rights. Good for them. I just ask for the same chance. The chance to be treated equally under the law.

So let them hate to their hearts content. I doesn't affect us at all. But scream bloody murder every time one of them tries to use that hate to oppress you, or deny you full and equal treatment under the law.

When they ask you why you should be allowed to marry your S.O. the answer is simple: "I'm an American, I pay taxes, I demand equal treatment under the law." How can anyone argue that?

beautifully stated!

 

[rpmdfw]

See, there's the rub -- at least with me. I will defend the right to disagree, but I will not defend the right to hate. That makes me un-American, which I understand. But that's just the way it is, for me, right now, on my journey.

My thought is "you hate me for being gay?" That's fine. I've been hated by better people than you for much better reasons. I don't worry about what bigots and ignorant idiots think of me.

And a lot of the people will tell you that it's not "hate", they "hate the sin, but love the sinner" which is the most condescending thing I've ever heard. That love of any kind could be sinnful is absurd.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

I hope it all works out for you and your SO.

And, if it helps at all, Billy, but I've been reading your TR, and it's just plain hilarious!

 

[zeitzeuge]

I know it gets really frustrating, but I guess the way I look at it, is did the gay men and women who came before us and fought for all those years for the rights we have today give up? Not on your life. They fought so hard for too long to get us to the point we're at today, for me to give up.

 

[KathyTX]

And a lot of the people will tell you that it's not "hate", they "hate the sin, but love the sinner" which is the most condescending thing I've ever heard. That love of any kind could be sinnful is absurd.

I agree- that statement always makes me . And don't get me started on the whole "defense of traditional marriage" business! Sorry, but this is one old straight married lady who can't see how a marriage between any two loving people would be a threat to anyone else's marriage.

It makes me sad to see so many good and loving people denied these basic rights and simple dignity.

The first time I'm able to attend a true and legal wedding/marriage ceremony for two loving men or two loving women will be a day of real celebration.

(Plus, some of my gay friends throw the BEST parties!!! )

 

[rpmdfw]

And don't get me started on the whole "defense of traditional marriage" business!

The thing about "traditional marriage" is that it wasn't a romantic situation at all. It was a way of preserving and transferring wealth and property. People didn't get to choose who they married, then the woman was subservient to the man almost to the point of slavery. A married woman couldn't work outside the home, couldn't own property, and it was acceptable for her to be beaten by her husband as long as the stick he used to beat her was no thicker than that of his thumb. Can you imagine? No women doctors, no women politicians, no women scientists. And even more frightening . . . no battered wives shelters.

The institution of marriage has evolved so much over the last 100 years or so, that the outcry over "redifining marriage" is complete nonsense. There is no legally valid argument to deny marriage equality to gays and lesbians.

I wonder if all those who defend "traditional marriage" want to go back to the days where women were property. Something tells me they don't.

Plus, some of my gay friends throw the BEST parties!!!

You better believe it! And WebmasterKathy, you're welcome to any of ours!

 

[RAPstar]

I wonder if all those who defend "traditional marriage" want to go back to the days where women were property. Something tells me they don't.

The women, probably not. But some of the men might. And some of them already have......well at least to where the women are subserviant and never leave the kitchen.

 

[DVCDan36]

Only ignorant people stand behind religion to promote hatred. Those that quote the Bible should study it rather than be taught it incorrectly.
As for Gays in the Military, I proudly served my country and most of my fellow soldiers knew I was gay and didn't care. I did my job, I worked hard, and I shared my life with my brothers and sisters. I am proud to be a Gay American Veteran.

 

[wtccheermom]

I find it very amusing so many are against gay marriage and their only argument is the “traditional marriage” one. Look at our countries divorce rate for traditional marriage!!!!! I am so sick and tired of people and our law makers putting their nose in where it does not belong. There should be no questions or concerns when it comes to two consenting adults who know what’s best for them. Besides do you know what legalizing gay marriage would do for our economy right now!!

 

[cmpdw4me]

I have yet to meet anyone who doesn't support gay marriage with a valid point without the old standby "well the Bible says its wrong".

I always remind them that the Bible also condones selling your daughters into slavery, stoning people who choose to work on Sundays, and being a huge sin with mixing two clothes fabrics. I even ask, "so which one am I going to hell faster for? Being gay, or working a 16 hour shift on the cancer floor at the hospital on Sundays?" Usually leaves them without an answer.

It makes me so angry that my drug addict/alcoholic 20 year old cousin gets better health insurance benefits and rights because he knocked up a 19 year old girl and got married while I am here being a full-time employee and have been in a monogamous relationship for the past 7 years and I still can't put the SO on my health insurance.

I SO love this post. I too work for a hospital, but I'm very fortunate, they offer Domestic Partnership ins. Luckily DP has a great Fed job and has her own ins. But I agree, if someone's ONLY arguement is that the bible says so...there are SO many comebacks. As an ex- evangelists' wife, I KNOW the bible and KNOW how full of ******** laws it has in it. Law NOBODY follows anymore. My arguement to them is, "How do YOU get to decide which of these laws you abide by and which ones you overlook?" Seems very hypocritical to me. Maybe THAT is why I've left the church and questioned the whole organized religon thing?