If homosexual marriage were legalized in the States, what effect would that have on society?
813936
It's legal here in Canada and not much has changed so far.  But we're so wrapped up in looking at immediate oucomes and quick fixes that we fail to see the long term effects of our actions.  I think it's unfortunate how far we keep stretching our moral boundaries.  In fact, we dont really have any unified sense of morality anymore.. which IMO, is very scary.
646371
It doesn't. I'm all for happy couples, and I don't care whether they're heterosexual couples or homosexual couples. Our society is improved when an individual is free to love the person of his/her choice, regardless of sexual orientation. I've heard it positioned that condoning homosexual unions somehow deteriorates the "sacred" institution of marriage. How is that? Heterosexuals have already done that, with no outside help!
254438
Marriage as defined within Christian, Islam or Jewish tradition and teaching is between man and women only.\n\n\nGovernment marriage as seen by the issue of licence and state rights for that legal action, is governed by the state.  The living together and sexual acts have been found to no longer be illegal merely against normal moral values.\n\nso from the state it would be a state right issue, and so far every vote that states have had, has shown by large numbers that voters, most of the public don't want gay or lesbain marriage.  The areas like MASS that do have it, have it becuase of court action, not by the vote of the citiznes.\n\nSo basicly forcing an relationship not wanted by the general public as proven by vote, it is an example of fringe lobby groups forcing thier desires on the public by court action, not public acceptance.\n\nAnd for the unions thierself, in thier pretending to be a marriage they make a mockery of the real committed couples who are man and wife.\n\nBut personally, I wish marriage on them.  they already live together committing the sins of thier sexual actions.\nSo why not get the punishment of having to pay allomony, having to end up paying child support when they adopt and split up.  And having to give up 1/2 of thier property when they split up.
56316
The Supreme Court overturned laws against sodomy in Lawrence v. Texas.\n\nEdit: You are quite correct that there are still countries that ban sodomy. In such places, homosexuals cannot have sex and be law-abiding, particularly if the country bans any kind of homosexual sex act. They could theoretically avoid prosecution by keeping it private, however.
231122
Gay marriage is absolutely a civil rights issue.  By preventing any two consenting adults from marrying, solely because of their homosexuality, you are discriminating against them.  It is unfair for gay couples to be prevented from marrying.  \nA common argument (of fundamentalists) is that since a gay couple cannot naturally reproduce, they should not be allowed to marry. But many straight couples cannot naturally reproduce either. Another common argument is that gay marriage will promote pedophilia. Statistically, most pedophiles are straight white males. \nGay marriage does not affect anyone but the couple themselves. It will not "turn" anyone gay. It will give couples equal rights to insurance, shared property, and the same rights as a heterosexual married couple.  \nWhile each of us has the right to our own personal belief about whether or not homosexuality is, as you said, an "abomination", we do not have the right to force our personal beliefs on others in such a way as would affect their lives and happiness permanently.  \nAfter all, if someone told you you could not marry solely because you were straight, I imagine you would be upset. Straight may be normal to you and I; but to gay couples, being gay is their reality.
837494
One major problem in the USA that I think will be resolved within the next 25 years would be the discrimination against gay ppl and the giving of special rights to heterosexual couples.\n\nWe are beginning to see the first steps in correcting this inequality now. Eventually, the courts will have no choice but to recognise that it is unconstitutional to give heterosexual couples special gains by their states based on their unions while at the same time, denying gay couples those privileges.\n\nIt will come down to either heterosexual couples get married in their churches,etc... but receive no special recognition by the government or gay marriages will be given the same recognition.\n\nEither way, the issue will be resolved.
1103199
In response to Pieceo..whatever, are you comparing gay men and women to monkeys?  You probably don't think Americans of African descent should be allowed to vote either huh?  Our present government is a fascist regime that feels the need to micromanage its subjects.\nCivil unions are not an exceptable substitute.  Why?  Because they do not come with the tax breaks and financial advantages that marriage does.\nPeople say that the "sanctity of marriage" should not be tainted by gay love.  I challenge that.  I think that the "sanctity of marriage " is tainted by people who are abusive, and in loveless marriages because society says you should not get a divorce, or society says you should be married by a certain age.  Isn't love the basis for marriage?  To have and to hold for better or for worse?  What part of those vows can a homosexual not fulfill?  \nBIG BREATH. okay, I need to stop ranting now.  sorry  Oh and by the way, the reason people first came to live in this great country was to get away from oppression, because there ARE countries that are much worse.  Let us never forget this is the Land of the FREE and Home of the Brave.\nI'm really done now.
701735
Yes, in all provinces. And in Spain, and South Africa. \n\nThe Columbian Senate just considered and passed a bill, though it hasn't become law yet.\n\nMexico City is now recognizing same-sex domestic partnerships.\n\nIn the Netherlands, gay marriage has been legal for years.\n\nIn Israel, the Supreme Court ruled that the state  must recognized same-sex marriages solemnized in other countries, so that a couple married in Canada will also be considered married in Israel.\n\nIt's just America that doesn't get it.
534502
1) Gays can't get insurance or benefits for their spouses.\n2) Gays still risk losing their jobs if "outed".\n3) Gays are still persecuted by the police.\n4) Gay bashings still happen daily.\n5) Gay marriages are not recognized by the state.\n6) Gays are still denied adoption rights.\n\nHeterosexuals can visit their critically injured partners in the emergency room and ICU...homosexuals can't.\n\nHeterosexuals can inherit from their partners without expecting a raft of legal sh*t from their partner's parents...homosexuals can't.\n\nFor those supporters out there that point to the majority of citizens who wish gay marriage to remain illegal, I just want to remind everyone that a majority of people did not want to end segregation; it took the courts to do that. A majority of people did not want to end slavery; a majority did not want to go to war against the British in 1775. Luckily for us, though, we have a Constitution that is supposed to protect us from the tyranny of the majority.
392945
I have nothing against same-sex marriages. I think it's really stupid how the government is not allowing it in the US. We have the freedom of religion. Wouldn't that mean that we have the freedom to choose what sex our marriage partner is? This topic is purely religious, and what happened to "seperation of church and state"? For the land of the free, there are a lot of useless things restricting our freedom.
1019944
Congratulations! This is one of the best questions you have asked so far.\n\nThere is good news that the federal amendment did not pass. The bad news is that there are still plenty of states that already have passed amendments and laws banning gay marriage. Perhaps, with this being a states' issue, we will see another sad chapter (one that happened a little closer to home) repeat itself.\n\nUnfortunately, you are getting some bad responses from people who don't see what you are seeing. Massive genocide, or even something not as extreme, doesn't happen overnight. We are seeing the beginings of the religious right's attempt to divide Americans. It won't stop here. If they had their ways, marriage wouldn't be the only right not allowed to gays. They would also not stop at gays.\n\nWhat we are seeing isn't rasicm so people can easily look past it. They believe that people are gay by choice and that makes it easier for them to discriminate. They also believe that people are Muslim or Jewish or atheist by choice and they think that these people should change their ways.\n\nThe person who said history repeats itself is right. The more the religious right is allowed to control politics and our culture and divide Americans, the further away we will go towards allowing all people equal rights and equal freedoms.
121341
I'm not really sure if marriage is a federal issue right now.  It will be a federal issue if the right-wingers get their way and change the Constitution.\n\nIt will be legal on a state by state basis when enough people realize that the only real argument against it is of a religious nature and that there is a constitutional separation of church and state.\n\nThink about it, gay people should have the same rights as every other American and allowing them to be legally married would harm no one!
378653
There are many ways to destroy our American society.  \nYou can flood it with immigrants with a different set of values, that is happening now.  \nYou can under educate the children, that is happening now.\nYou can destroy the middle class with high energy costs, that is happening now.\n\nOr the worst...you can (in the name of equal rights) pretend that Homosexuals are the same as Heterosexuals.\nYes, yes...you can argue that there have been gays throughout history, that gays have feelings and are people too, that we all have a right to privacy and no one should even care what happens in the bedroom.\nMy answer...gays have never had "rights" ANY time in history; gays don't have the same feelings as straights (NO they don't, when I look into my daughters eyes, and see a reflection of my wife and I, there is a "feeling" there that no homo can understand); and lastly...it's true, what you do in your bedroom is your own business, and you should LEAVE IT THERE...why bring it out at all.\n\nHomosexuality is going to help destroy this country.
707946
As the first answer said  the law is in the works to legalize marriage for gays.\n\nTo answer rest of question, if the law is passed, the same benefits would apply as they do for straights.  This includes immigration policy towards spouses of citizens.
665746
I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it. Sheer insanity is the ONLY force driving anyone to oppose Gay marriage, for there is NOT ONE consequence resulting from gay marriage that would harm anyone / anything anywhere in this universe.\n\nGays can make marriages worthy to be admired.\nGays can effectively lead children into adulthood.\nChildren raised by Gays are not harmed/damaged in anyway.\nGays have careers, own homes, participate civily in communities all over the place.\nGays pay taxes and contribute much to the economy all over.\nGay marriages will NOT threaten the human species.\nGay marriage will NOT affect "straight" marriages.\nGay marriages will NOT diminish the number of "straight" marriages commencing from year to year.\n\nTo be sure, Gay marriages will require levels of responsibility equal to all the tasks that come with the package. In many ways the scenario will be no different than heterosexual marriages.\n\nThis is NOT a religious matter.\nThis is a civil matter.\nThis is about love, affirmation, responsibility with family matters and life decision matters.\n\nThis is the 21 century of reality. Gay marriages will NOT contribute ANY harm to the life of things on planet earth. Only the insanely driven and/or sleep walking bigots would think otherwise.
469371
If all the loving and nurturing and longevity of a marriage is what we are worried about, how would the fact that those who love and nurture each other are the same sex make their union different in the eyes of the State?
270760
I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it.  Sheer insanity is the ONLY force driving anyone to oppose Gay marriage, for there is NOT ONE consequence resulting from gay marriage that would harm anyone / anything anywhere in this universe.\n\nGays can make marriages worthy to be admired.\nGays can effectively lead children into adulthood.\nChildren raised by Gays are not harmed/damaged in anyway.\nGays have careers, own homes, participate civily in communities all over the place.\nGays pay taxes and contribute much to the economy all over.\nGay marriages will NOT threaten the human species.\nGay marriage will NOT affect "straight" marriages.\nGay marriages will NOT diminish the number of "straight" marriages commencing from year to year.\n\nTo be sure, Gay marriages will require levels of responsibility equal to all the tasks that come with the package.  In many ways the scenario will be no different than heterosexual marriages.\n\nThis is NOT a religious matter.\nThis is a civil matter.\nThis is about love, affirmation, responsibility with family matters and life decision matters.\n\nThis is the 21 century of reality.  Gay marriages will NOT contribute ANY harm to the life of things on planet earth.  Only the insanely driven and/or sleep walking bigots would think otherwise.