Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

In recent years this subject has become a hot-button issue for those that have chosen to weigh-in. It's a sensitive issue and one I don't recall ever being discussed here. David Tyree has predicted anarchy in the event SSM is made legal [I would assume he means in all 50 states] I wouldn't go quite that far.

[url=http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=09000d5d82058921]NFL.com news: Tyree warns of 'anarchy' if gay marriage is legalized in U.S.[/url]

Those who say yes:
1 Denying them is a violation of religious freedom (civil and religious marriages are two separate institutions).
2 Marriage benefits (such as joint ownership, medical decision-making capacity) should be available to all couples.
3 Homosexuality is an accepted lifestyle nowadays with most evidence strongly supporting biological causation.
4 Denying these marriages is a form of minority discrimination.
5 It doesn't hurt society or anyone in particular.
6 The only thing that should matter in marriage is love.
7 The number of child adoptions should increase since gay couples cannot pro-create (although some might see an increase in gay adoptions as an argument against same-sex marriages).
8 It encourages people to have strong family values and give up high-risk sexual lifestyles.
9 The same financial benefits that apply to man-woman marriages apply to same-sex marriages.

Those who say no:
1 Most religions consider homosexuality a sin.
2 It would weaken the definition and respect for the institution of marriage.
3 It would further weaken the traditional family values essential to our society.
4 It could provide a slippery slope in the legality of marriage (e.g. having multiple wives or marrying an animal could be next).
5 The gay lifestyle is not something to be encouraged, as a lot of research shows it leads to a much lower life expectancy, psychological disorders, and other problems.

Your Thoughts....

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

My thought is it's silly this is such a big deal. Let them get married and let's get on with more important things.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

I'm with Matty. Live and let live. To each his own.

I don't really get the argument that SSM will create anarchy or destroy the institution of marriage as traditionally understood. Are there really that many gay people trapped in hetero marriages, so if SSM is legalized there will be a stampede? I think not. Most people are still happily hetero.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

I have no real issue with it. If two people are in love, living together, even adopting kids together, why shouldn't they be afforded the same benefits of marriage as a straight couple?

Good example- my mom/stepdad's next-door neighbors are a gay couple in their mid-40's. One is a successful realtor, the other a social worker with a PhD. They are the nicest guys, and 5 or 6 years ago they adopted a boy and a girl from Guatemala who otherwise would have grown up in extreme poverty. No reason on earth in my mind those two great guys should not be allowed to marry.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

The whole "institution" of marriage thing is silly at this point anyway. It's up to each couple to define what their marriage will be. With a 50% divorce rate amongst straight couples, it seems kinda dumb to use the institution argument anymore.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

Waiting for first and buster...internet must be down in Mayberry.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

I hate the concept of gov't sanctioned marriage anyways. It can only be an exclusionary practice by defintion which, to me, makes it problemtaic. Get rid of the gov't sanctioned marriage and allow for civil unions, or whatever, and let's move on.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=mredskins;807405]waiting for first and buster...internet must be down in mayberry.[/quote]

lol!!

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=GMScud;807404]The whole "institution" of marriage thing is silly at this point anyway. It's up to each couple to define what their marriage will be. With a 50% divorce rate amongst straight couples, it seems kinda dumb to use the institution argument anymore.[/quote]

Good argument!!

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

I'm in agreement with most here. "Marriage" is a reigious related sacrament. Let each church figure it out.

Govt. should have a simple civil union. Essentially a state sanctioned contract between two people to act partners in all family management issues.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;807417]I'm in agreement with most here. "Marriage" is a reigious related sacrament. Let each church figure it out.

Govt. should have a simple civil union. Essentially a state sanctioned contract between two people to act partners in all family management issues.[/quote]

it's amazing how simple somthing can be, and how complicated the government can make it. i couldn't agree with your post any more.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

Im actually going to the pride parade in baltimore this saturday. This will be my second time. I have no problem with the gay marriage, civil union issue. Let them do it.

I do have some reservations about a gay couple adopting a child. Whether being gay is a choice, genetic roll of the dice or a quasi mix; I have some reservations about a young child/baby being adopted into that lifestyle.

We are good friends with a lesbian couple who have a child from one of their prior relationships with a man. They act and maintain a great loving and structured home. The girl is real smart, polite and doesnt seem to have any reservations about her mothers preference. i.e. is a well adjusted normal child imo.

But when it comes to adoption, i kinda have a lil trouble with a baby/young child having no choice in the manner in which he or she will be raised.

Kinda funny, i met my lady and her gay friend at the bar after work the other day. We were talking about pride day, where we were gonna met up, etc. The topic turned to how several butch lesbians made comments to me (white guy) and my black girlfriend holding hands at Pride last year. He said the gay community is divided.

The funny part, so its like 3:30 pm, I wasnt really trying to drink hard. He orders a shot and I say Ill do one to. I was expecting a kinda fruity easy going "hey the sun is still up" shot but it was jameson, 4 fingers of hotter than room temperature jameson.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=Mattyk;807401]My thought is it's silly this is such a big deal. Let them get married and let's get on with more important things.[/quote]

Agreed. Really though, to me the bigger issue is that they be given proper benefits.

I think I had mentioned this a few years ago, I did a story on the local news on a gay person whose partner of the past 20+ years had died in 9/11. And she couldn't get certain benefits because they weren't married, because they couldn't be married. That was unfortunate, to say the least

But at the end of the day, and I don't mean to be callous when I say it, the issue is not a huge deal for me. But when I see GOP candidates making it a huge deal that discourages me from my party of choice. Though I tend to believe (hope?) that they just say it to get certain votes but if elected, they wouldn't make it such a prominent issue. Same-sex marriage that is, more specifically the notion that there needs to be a constitutional amendment banning it.

And saying it would lead to anarchy is ridiculous, a prolonged NFL Lockout is more likely to lead to anarchy

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=Mattyk;807401]My thought is it's silly this is such a big deal. Let them get married and let's get on with more important things.[/quote]

Pretty much this.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=over the mountain;807429]Im actually going to the pride parade in baltimore this saturday. This will be my second time. I have no problem with the gay marriage, civil union issue. Let them do it.

I do have some reservations about a gay couple adopting a child. Whether being gay is a choice, genetic roll of the dice or a quasi mix; I have some reservations about a young child/baby being adopted into that lifestyle.

We are good friends with a lesbian couple who have a child from one of their prior relationships with a man. They act and maintain a great loving and structured home. The girl is real smart, polite and doesnt seem to have any reservations about her mothers preference. i.e. is a well adjusted normal child imo.

But when it comes to adoption, i kinda have a lil trouble with a baby/young child having no choice in the manner in which he or she will be raised.

Kinda funny, i met my lady and her gay friend at the bar after work the other day. We were talking about pride day, where we were gonna met up, etc. The topic turned to how several butch lesbians made comments to me (white guy) and my black girlfriend holding hands at Pride last year. He said the gay community is divided.

The funny part, so its like 3:30 pm, I wasnt really trying to drink hard. He orders a shot and I say Ill do one to. I was expecting a kinda fruity easy going "hey the sun is still up" shot but it was jameson, 4 fingers of hotter than room temperature jameson.[/quote]

Adoption does appear to be an issue aside from the marriage aspect that draws a frown from many straight people who have wrestled for an opinion. They ask themselves the question....would I be comfortable with my child being reared in that type environment...how much ridicule would he/she be subjected too in it's early years of schooling and development.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;807417]I'm in agreement with most here. "Marriage" is a reigious related sacrament. Let each church figure it out.

Govt. should have a simple civil union. Essentially a state sanctioned contract between two people to act partners in all family management issues.[/quote]

yes.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=SmootSmack;807430]Agreed. Really though, to me the bigger issue is that they be given proper benefits.

I think I had mentioned this a few years ago, I did a story on the local news on a gay person whose partner of the past 20+ years had died in 9/11. And she couldn't get certain benefits because they weren't married, because they couldn't be married. That was unfortunate, to say the least

[B]But at the end of the day, and I don't mean to be callous when I say it, the issue is not a huge deal for me. But when I see GOP candidates making it a huge deal that discourages me from my party of choice. Though I tend to believe (hope?) that they just say it to get certain votes but if elected, they wouldn't make it such a prominent issue. Same-sex marriage that is, more specifically the notion that there needs to be a constitutional amendment banning it.[/B]

And saying it would lead to anarchy is ridiculous, a prolonged NFL Lockout is more likely to lead to anarchy[/quote]

Totally. I hate that the the conservative movement has been hijacked by the SOCIAL conservative movement. Why fiscally conservative and socially conservative have to go together I don't know. They actually sorta seem opposite to me from a philosophical standpoint.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=FRPLG;807464]Totally. I hate that the the conservative movement has been hijacked by the SOCIAL conservative movement. Why fiscally conservative and socially conservative have to go together I don't know. They actually sorta seem opposite to me from a philosophical standpoint.[/quote]

The fringe far far far far far right evangelicals among others were a huge reason Bush got elected twice so since then the Republican Party has pandered to their demands. It really is a shame. Romney seems alright though so if he gets elected he'll hopefully just worry about the economy and let the states vote on it which if done long enough will eventually result in legal gay marriage for most of the country.

I always kind of chuckle though at the concept of gay marriage, picturing a portion of the gay population thats against it. "Sorry....buddy I wish we could get married but it's illegal, damn Republicans" when inside they're thinking "Thank you God THANK YOU!"

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

Someone correct me here, but wasn't it actually Jimmy Carter's campaign and subsequent election that actually helped bring "the Christian Right" into the forefront of politics. Didn't his evangelical, "born-again" background get Christian Right voters to the polls and help him get elected over Ford?

I think I may be digressing a bit from the topic at hand

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=SmootSmack;807467]Someone correct me here, but wasn't it actually Jimmy Carter's campaign and subsequent election that actually helped bring "the Christian Right" into the forefront of politics. Didn't his evangelical, "born-again" background get Christian Right voters to the polls and help him get elected over Ford?

I think I may be digressing a bit from the topic at hand[/quote]

100% correct.

...and without get too off topic here, it was the Right, led by Jerry Falwell, and the Moral Majority that captured the movement and it's fervor to inject religion and faith into politics. They masterfully made the connection between personal responsibility, family values, and economic prosperity. The movement mobilized a coalition that ultimately ushered Ronald Reagan into office.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

As far as gay marriage goes, I think they should have the right to be just as miserable as the rest of us:)

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

There's no valid argument against allowing gay marriage. The only arguments against it are "it's gross" or "it's against my religion". Neither of which are close to valid.

Religion is one of the most divisive things on the planet. I ****ing hate it.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=Dirtbag59;807465][B]The fringe far far far far far right evangelicals among others were a huge reason Bush got elected twice [/B]so since then the Republican Party has pandered to their demands. It really is a shame. Romney seems alright though so if he gets elected he'll hopefully just worry about the economy and let the states vote on it which if done long enough will eventually result in legal gay marriage for most of the country.

I always kind of chuckle though at the concept of gay marriage, picturing a portion of the gay population thats against it. "Sorry....buddy I wish we could get married but it's illegal, damn Republicans" when inside they're thinking "Thank you God THANK YOU!"[/quote]

That statement is correct excepting the fact that Bush got elected only once.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

Another reason to hate the Giants.
[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=6667583]Former New York Giants WR David Tyree: Same-sex marriage leads to 'anarchy' - ESPN New York[/url]

Actually made me chuckle when I first read it. "Anarchy"

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=Dirtbag59;807499]Another reason to hate the Giants.
[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=6667583]Former New York Giants WR David Tyree: Same-sex marriage leads to 'anarchy' - ESPN New York[/url]

Actually made me chuckle when I first read it. "Anarchy"[/quote]

Somebody should tell Dumbass Tyree that white plantation slave owners had the same thought about black people back in the day. Anybody else see the irony of a black man openly discriminating against another group?

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

NCSkins,... I do but at the same time I don't.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;807417]I'm in agreement with most here. "Marriage" is a reigious related sacrament. Let each church figure it out.

Govt. should have a simple civil union. Essentially a state sanctioned contract between two people to act partners in all family management issues.[/quote]This. Plus what Longtime and OTM discussed on adoption and what SS and FRPLG mention on fiscal vs. social conservatives.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

....

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;807417]I'm in agreement with most here. "Marriage" is a reigious related sacrament. Let each church figure it out.

Govt. should have a simple civil union. Essentially a state sanctioned contract between two people to act partners in all family management issues.[/quote]

Agree.....There is a clear distinction between the religious rite of marriage and state-sanctioned civil marriage. The state's decision to allow same-sex couples to marry could never affect or change each religion's choices as to whom it will marry and on what terms.

The Roman Catholic Church will not marry a person who has been previously married and divorced. The fact that that person may divorce and remarry civilly does not, and cannot, affect the Roman Catholic Church's actions in any way. Similarly, when the government allows same-sex couples to marry, no church could ever be required to sanction such a marriage unless it chose to do so.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=MonkFan4Life;807502]NCSkins,... I do but at the same time I don't.[/quote]

How is discrimination against a black person and a gay person any different?

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

I think they should allow them to get married because why should all us straight guys suffer alone. Wait tell their bitch comes home and wants a divorce the house, cars, all their money, etc... The right far right says they want to protect marriage but at a 50% divorce rate they have pretty much done this on their own. I'm torn on rather it should be a state issue rather then a federal. If its left up to the states then it will probably never get passed.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

Let the gays purse happiness and let God worry about sins. Do you!

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

what a moron

[url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/20/david-tyree-would-trade-his-catch-to-stop-gay-marriage/]David Tyree would trade his catch to stop gay marriage | ProFootballTalk[/url]

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=Mattyk;807642]what a moron

[url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/20/david-tyree-would-trade-his-catch-to-stop-gay-marriage/]David Tyree would trade his catch to stop gay marriage | ProFootballTalk[/url][/quote]

Wow. I would throw him under a plane for the privilege of watching one of the greatest games of all time...even if it's to watch the Giants win the SB.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

[quote=Mattyk;807642]what a moron

[url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/20/david-tyree-would-trade-his-catch-to-stop-gay-marriage/]David Tyree would trade his catch to stop gay marriage | ProFootballTalk[/url][/quote]

The funny thing about that article is if he hadn't made that catch no one would give a damn what he thought. He was a good special teamer and that's primarily why he was on the roster, good for him for seizing the moment and making a great play, but really, he just jumped into Freddie Mitchell territory after making that catch.

Why the hell do people care about what professional athletes think anyway? I can't even really get upset about it, I just shake my head. Much like I do when I read something like this:
[URL="http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/06/13/tracy-morgans-anti-gay-rant-upsets-tina-fey-chris-rock-much-of-wider-world/"]Tracy Morgan: "I'd stab my son if he talked to me in a gay voice"[/URL]

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

New York joins the party.

[url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/25/gay-marriage-legalised-in-new-york?mobile-redirect=false]Gay marriage legalised in New York | World news | guardian.co.uk[/url]

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

Kudos to NY for getting it right. **** YOU DAVID TYREE YOU IGNORANT SON OF A BITCH!

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

Well howdy again guys! I'm back! Haha. At least for a lil but. The whole lockout thing has given me a case of the sads and thus I haven't been around. But I'm gonna try to come around more often cuz... I miss you guys!

I whole heartedly support gay marriage (surprise surprise) but I do feel it should be handled on a state level rather than a federal level. Of course there will be states that will completely vote against it (Think Bible belt) but I think more "progressive states" i.e. NY, MA, VT, maybe Cali someday, would have a good chance of allowing gay marriage. I just feel like the federal government have other things they should be handling.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

Dynamite Rave! Yay!!!!! Welcome back!

Re: Same-Sex Marriage!! Your Thoughts
 

Very proud of NY for this one.