How do you feel about Florida's Gay Adoption Ban?
153495
It is unfortunate that the majority of people in this country are still so scared of the possibility of gays living equal among them. Why else place such a ridiculous ban? Some will say that children raised by gay parents will have it a lot harder. I disagree. I am amazed at how open and honest the youth in todays schools are. The only ones I know of that are homophobic have learned the behavior and language from their parents. If the youth of today can accept each other, why can't the adults? Fear. My partner and I just placed a question on here about how to adopt. the answers ranged form "Yuck" to 'How dare we drag a child into our fantasy?" These answers just mirror the fear and ignorance of the majority of Americans. Gays are accepted as long as we are funny, and the life of the party, but as soon as we stop acting like the characters on a sit-com we become a threat. The ban doesn't surprise me. the real question here is what to do about? How do accepting, open minded, loving people fight against such fear?
1094771
I think it's a great idea.\n\nThe only real problem I have with homosexual marriage is that once you change the definition of marriage the freakshows will start coming out and demanding their right to marry animals and shoes and pieces of land ... how do you make the legislation so that consenting adults can marry but they have to marry other people. You know that as soon as you allow homosexual marriage but say it has to be between two people some guy is gonna sue for his right to marry a hole in a watermelon. The madness will never stop.
769285
I'm against gay marriage,I'm against preferential treatment to any1. I don't think my city ought to pay for special events for gays. They wanna be gay fine, just leave me and mine alone!\nBorn with it or becoming gay is not normal any way,shape or form. God created Man and Woman to be as one and reproduce and to love and live for him. Man what a mess we made of all that!
706942
Well, I'm not against it but my parents are.  When my brother finally came out of the closet, that did nothing to change their minds.  They were furious and my father told him he was sick in the head.  He was 19 at the time and had to move out of our home because my parents were being really horrible to him.  My Mom even 'disowned' him as a son at the time.  \n\nThey lost touch with him for a good 10 years.  My sister and I still kept in touch with him though.  It wasn't until recently that they are back in touch with him.  I guess they have somewhat accepted that he is gay but it is not discussed when they are around.  It still hurts him to this day and them reacting the way they did has messed him up a bit.  He knows he has the support of both my sister and I but sometimes I feel really bad for him not having the support of my parents.  Even though we are all adults now, it makes it no less hard to not have the approval of one's parents.  It's unfortunate because it's not like getting angry at your child and disowning them is going to make them any less gay.
484721
yes I think that they should be able to. those who argue that it is not natural, look at dolphins. dolphins are bisexual. humans are not the only ones who are attracted to the same sex. if it makes the couple happy who is anyone else to say if it is right or wrong? and for those who argue with not being able to reproduce, think on this: there are thousands of men who donate to sperm banks each year. why not use some of it to artifically inseminate so that a lesbian couple can have children? and for a gay couple, why not adopt? there are so many children who need homes, let a gay couple adopt them and give them a home. and there is nothing that says that a gay or lesbian couple who has children will have gay or lesbian kids, or be bad parents. my parents are straight, and I am bisexual. if anything the child will have a better understanding of the gender of the parents. \nI think that people who oppose the idea of same sex marriges are just close minded and afraid. they will legalize it eventually. those who oppose it are just prolonging the inevitable. the gay and lesbian community is growing at such a rate that they will make it legal just to get votes. but I support the cause, and I think that it is natural.
950433
It was so incredibly sad to hear the results of most of the gay marriage bans this election. I can't believe that as a country we seem to be so damn unaccepting of difference. As a ray of hope, though, I worked to defeat the gay marriage ban in Arizona, Prop 107. We managed to defeat it, so I think there's still hope for a better future. We just have to keep working on it. We'll show all those bigots that hate has no place in the world.
1037547
I think it is a good idea. After all, you pointed out that homosexuality exists whether we like it or not and we can't really keep kids heads buried in the sand for the rest of their lives. If you are a teacher, I also feel that you can do a better job of approaching this issue with objectivity than some parents can. I would just point out that it is a choice that some consenting adults make and leave it at that.
24769
Well, given that I’m gay I would have to say yes.  \n\nI find the arguments against gay marriage, and therefore gay rights, like the ones stated above amusing.  Yes marriage is the building blocks of the family unit, so why are literally hundreds of thousands of families across the country not extended the same rights of marriage?   \n\nThe original purpose of marriage was procreation, yes.  This in no way excludes gay couples.  Many use artificial means to have children (as many sterile straight couples do), and many more adopt children.  Others already have children from previous marriages.    Also, I don’t see anyone arguing that old people, and people who are sterile, shouldn’t be allowed to get married.  We also do not make people fill out forms declaring that they are planning to have children when they get married.  That’s because beginning in the 20th Century marriage stopped being centered around procreation and started being about love.  \n\nI also love the slippery slope argument mentioned above: “But, if we let men get married to men, what’s going to stop a man from trying to marry a horse?”  This has some variations, from trees, to horses, to dogs, to polygamy.  Well, to start I would like to point out that neither trees nor horses have been granted rights by the constitution.  Also, if everyone is so tolerant of gay people, and many are quick to point out that they have gay friends, why do we immediately associate gay marriage with bestiality and polygamy?  \n\nUnfortunately, my civil liberties are severely hindered by the fact that I can’t get married.  If my partner gets sick, there is no law protecting my rights to visit him in the hospital; if he dies, there is no law saying I have any rights to our owned property because as far as the government is concerned, “our property” doesn’t exist.  If children get involved this gets even uglier and more complicated.  There is more than one case on record of judges taking children away from a surviving partner and giving them to an ex-husband or ex-wife who has no connection to the child, simply because the surviving parent “had no legal connection to the children.”  This is all directly connected to the fact that we can’t get married.\n\nSo, I’m afraid people can’t have it both ways.  If you support gay rights, as I do, you have to support gay marriage.  Without gay marriage, we’re second class citizens, and are only accorded the rights of second class citizens.
330580
GOOD BYE "LAUNCH".  I believe that same sex marriages should be outlawed by the Supreme Court.  And since Conservatives now have a majority on the bench I believe it will happen.
238711
I find it appalling that Homosexuality was only recently taken out of the DSM... The big book of mental disorders.\n\nI find it appalling that I cant donate blood because im gay.  The Red Cross has a ban on any male that has had sexual relations with another man since 1977.  Having sex one time in  33 years disqualifies you from ever donating blood.. amidst huge blood shortages.\n\nI find it appalling that i cant get married.. or even a civil union.\n\nI find it appalling that religious extremists are out there actively boycotting companies that show equality to gays.\n\nThe suicide rate among homosexual teens is the highest proportionally in the entire country.  Those bastards are KILLING them.. Killing them with thier "reparative therapy" and hurtful accusations, and outright lies.\n\n\nEDIT:\n\nI am actually quite suprised by the answers here... Actually suprised!\n\nThere seems to be a common misnomer running rampant in the minds of a few of you on here.  A gay male isnt some immoral being, with uncontrollable sexual tendencies.  I have successfully lived with/showered with/eaten with straight males all throughout college, and yes.. in those tiny tiny dorm rooms.\n\nThere are those that seem to think that just because there is a gay male in the room... he is automatically staring at thier crotches... and YES, of course i think there are a lot of straight males out there, and yes i glance at thier asses from time to time.. but, other than that, i keep the romance, and wishful thinking geared towards OTHER gay males.\n\nThere is a line that eventually every gay male comes across that a lot of straight males come to also.  It is when we become attracted to someone that is not interested, for various reasons, to us.  We can either A) press on reguardless, incurring wrath/disgust/criminal charges... OR we learn to let it go, and move on.\n\nA similar situation occurs for Gay males.  We have to realize that the "playing field" is a bit limited.  Sure.. there are many many males out there... but only a small percentage of them are even like us.\n\nWe have to train ourselves to mentally "cross them off the list"  before we become attracted.  This saves a lot of anger/misunderstanding/criminal charges. :P    \n\nAssuming that we are not in controll of our sexual drive is preposterous.  Assuming that we are not mentally capable of being "gay men in a straight society" is a common, hurtful misconception.\n\nOpening up your minds occasionally couldnt hurt :)
1178610
That's the point - so do a lot of straight people feel that way - and the amendment was turned down today.  \n\nThe Religious Right - the spiritually intolerant you might call them - feel they are poised for a big win and are pushing every button they can.  Frankly, this came up now, I think, to deflect people from realizing that as we speak, Bush is trying to have more of his like minded judges confirmed (link below).  That is the real danger - Bush knew he would lose but he played the card at just the right time do keep us all occupied while the real things happened.  He is playing us like children and we do not disappoint.\n\nYour problem is not with me and the millions of other straight folks like me, who ar happy for you to have the legal right to marriage - you are on your own for the spiritual side, but there are lots of faiths that do not care about your sexual preference, they care about your heart and soul.\n\nI think 75% of America just want to live their own life the way they want and they don't care what others are doing until it disturbs them (like loud music on saturday morning while you are sleeping, rudeness on the highway or in the office, etc.).  \n\nThe remaining 25% think that life would be perfect if everyone believed and did the same as they did and they work tirelessly in this pursuit, without thought for individuals or even what is right some times.  We are all persecuted by these intrusive, intolerant people in all levels of our lives.  I think that is where the team lines are divided more than gay and straight.
447325
I REALLY don't understand what the big deal is all about.\nThis world is a weird and scary place. If an adult can find true love and wants to marry someone, I don't care if they are gay or black, or Hindu or little people or WHATEVER. That will have absolutly NOTHING to do with my marriage. I do understand that marriage is a sacred thing but, isn't it up to us to keep our own marriages sacred rather than poke around in someone elses business?\n\n  The divorce rate is around 50% in this country. What is so sacred about that? Since Gays and lesbians arn't allowed to marry, the high divorce rate and the lack of respect for marriage is an obvious sign that most straight people don't honor marriage. Maybe if we allowed gays to marry, they could teach us straights a thing or two.\n\n  Could it be at all possible that people are afraid to let gays marry because maybe the gays will be more successful at it? Just a thought.\n  And as for the people that quote bible passages against gay marriage, I can pop my head into the bible and find tons of quotes advocating slavery, incest and all that jazz.\nThe fact is that this country was founded on the principal of "Separation of Church and State" Look it up if you don't understand. I appreciate other peoples religous views but,\nIf we do not see eye to eye, it is because we have different opinions and NOT because one of us is right or wrong. To behave in a self-ritous way like that is ignorant and just plain rude.\n  Also, There are THOUSANDS of orphans and foster kids living in institutions. They are sent out into the world without a family once they turn 18. I bet dollars to donuts that if you ask these kids, they would much rather live in a nice home with a couple of  married gays than the orphanage. If gays could marry and adopt, it would give these forgotten children a chance to be a part of a loving and supportive family for LIFE. How happy they would be to have their own bedroom and parents to help with their homework and to see them in the school play? \nWe have already tried hating people for being different and it dosn't seem to have done much good. Maybe we can all try to be more loving or understanding to people different than us. Maybe we Christians can see past the hatred and fear to the TRUE word of Jesus Christ. I don't remember Jesus hating on "sinners" or people different than Him. I remember acceptance and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. WWJD? In your HEART you know the answer. \nPlease forgive any misspellings, spellcheck is on the fritz.
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.
1097935
I think any time you can put a child in a permanent, loving and nurturing home, then you should. Who cares what the sexual orientation of the parent are if they can love and provide for the child. And no, I don't think the child will end up homosexual because of it.
415392
I would certainly hope they wouldn't do that. I am strongly against what this law is creating and will be creating. I hope that the U.S. has better sense then that. I also think that this whole thing with the new law is also teaching bad examples for our kids. It's teaching them to be prejudice and judgmental. We have enough kids waiting to get into foster care as it is with no home to go to.We could not afford to take kids from their parents and put them with strangers and hope they won't grow to be hateful knowing the government is responsible for taking them away from their biological families.
1075422
I did not know about this issue in the Netherland or the NVD... \n\nCan I add a comment/ question to this- I know there is a group here in the US called Gay Man Boy Love or something like that.  I first heard of it on South Park and I thought it was a joke but then found it was for real.  \n\nFrom what I understand, they feel that pedophilia can be natural and is acceptable, like the NVD does.  I don't know if they are currently taking actions to legalize it or lower and eventually eliminate age of consent.  \n\nBut I wonder- how can the existence of these groups even be allowed?  Not to be crude, but I am sure there is some sharing of graphic pictures and websites- I doubt they can have many intellectual conversations on the topic.  \n\nJust an extra thought- albeit somewhat meandering and unfocused- I wanted to add to your question... hope you don't mind.
790564
Gay marriage is not acceptable by God.  No, they should not be allowed to adopt children because children learn what they live.  It is unfair to the child to be introduced to that alternate lifestyle, which according to the bible is devoid of God's blessings.  God's calls gay relationships an abomanation.