Gay marriage?  NO!  Civil unions?  Sure!  Care to discuss?
931321
yes! ~ I agree! ~ Marriage is sacred and shouldn't be changed to conform to those who want to make it less than what it is.  If they want a civil union with the same benefits as marriage, fine.  But marriage shouldn't be changed.  And this has nothing to do with the bible ~ this is about the tradition and the meaning of marriage.
580173
Marriage is a religious "Christian" institution. Gays should be allowed to join in legal "unions" that have all the same benefits of marriage. But to call it marriage is like a buddhist claiming he wants to have a Bar Mitzvah.
903786
I am against gay marriage.  Committment ceremonies are fine. But marriage- no.
1039527
I am Gay.\n\nI want all the provisions / protections of the simple procedure of Civil Marriage.  Nothing less.
838322
The law should be upheld as it stands... Church and state SHOULD STAY separated. The constitution clearly states that ALL men are created equal... Not STRAIGHT men are created equal. I think EVERYONE should get a chance to marry the person of their choosing and it's prejudice to say they can't. It's unfair. What if the world were based on homosexual relationships and the heterosexuals weren't allowed to marry? They would feel the SAME way about it. People who believe that marriage is only a union for heterosexuals are extreme bigots and shouldn't be allowed to have a say in it.
559112
I can't imagine.  I believe that marriage is a religious thing.  Civil unions are what the government should offer -- to everyone.  Churches should perform the weddings -- therefore, the Southern Baptists would not have gay weddings, but the United Church of Christ would.\n\nAnd then maybe everyone could be happy.\n\nAnd by the way, thank you for your support.  My partner and I have been together nearly 15 years.\n\nThank you again.\n\nReynolds Jones\nSchenectady, NY
799806
Having recently had a Civil Ceremony (U.K.) with my partner in a registry office, followed by a blessing in a non denominational church we can categorically state that we had no wish for any Church, organization or any person to be forced to accommodate our wishes. All my partner and I wanted was to be given the opportunity to have the same legal standing and to celebrate our life past and present, as enjoyed by heterosexuals. \nI, we have never expected any one or any orginasation to accomodate our orientation, let alone the church or their congregations. Do you honestly believe that politicians can enforce their will on the Church. Can you see gay couples lining up to be married in a place, by a person who has been forced to do so, I think not.\nTrying to force your will on anybody eventually fails, look to the history books.
1077657
Civil marriage (i.e. the license you get when you get married) is not religious in any way, shape or form. It is in its very nature controlled by the government and government thus has the right and responsibility to define it. I don't think it should do so in a way that blatantly discriminates against a group like homosexuals, but it is most certainly within the government's prerogative to define marriage. If you find a church that agrees to, you can have a wedding ceremony to whomever or whatever you like, but only the government can decide if the government is going to recognize it.
107314
Why not?  But the churches will still publicly fight it just for calling it marriage.  I say let people do what they want and just fix the issue with the benefits problem so it's not abused, and totally ignore the churches just like they totally ignore facts and science and other opinions.
1147467
>>>If the United States is so perfect and so fair then why don't people have equal rights?? Gays should be able to marry!! <<<\n\nYou're so right!   Gays don't have equal rights because they can't marry each other!\n\nAnd while we're at it, how about it for all the pedophiles, bigamists, polygamists, incest committers, and those who are prone to bestiality -- because all of them are prohibited from marrying the objects of their sexual desires!\n\nThree cheers for the idea that "marriage rights" should encompass any and all sexual desires whatsoever!\n\nAnd to hell with the fact that 45 out of 50 states have laws specifically defining marriage as a man-woman union.   Who in the hell needs respect for the democratic process, anyway?
1039040
Agree with you 100%.\n\nI think if ppl sat down and really ask themselves what about a gay union troubled them, they would realize that for some reason they feel threatened. That is the part I don't get at all. \n\nHow does a union between two gay ppl threaten anybody else's marriage. Either they have a good marriage or not. That's not based on what other ppl are doing.
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.
543088
I particularly like "Same Sex Unions in Pre Modern Europe" by John Boswell and it would be neat to see his evidence online, perhaps in timeline form.  Gay marriage is a hot topic, and those of us who do history know that this whole "marriage has always been between a man and a woman" thing is total crap.  Plenty of societies have had, allowed, and encouraged same sex marriage, like Native American societies.  I would like to see more about that online.
617479
Ofcourse yes I will vote for it.\nBut do you know the meaning of marriage?that means union between man and women that they can join together and bear childs to fill the world.how then can guy marry one another?are they gone crazy?are they became beasts?\nits a foolish idea that has even no right to be discussed by human being.\n thank you for good question
177964
i saw this really interesting show (daytime talk show)(could've been oprah...)in which people with different stances on gay marriage spoke their minds. the guy who really left an impression on me was an older gay man (40-50)who said he was with the same man for like 20 yrs or something and he in no way had any desire to ever marry,  period. obviously it wasn't a fear of commitment, he simply stated that marriage is a union between a man and a woman and so he was not a part of that equation. he also said, in lieu of the insurance arguments(ie: not being able to acquire insurance through your partner because your union is not recognized by the law), get a job! i thought this to be kind of bold because in some instances you have people with disabilities in relationships with others who are capable of going to work every day and insuring them; but if they are in a state that doesn't acknowledge gay marriage, they are in a state of S.O.L., if you know what i mean... i think that it's a shame when two devoted partners can't enjoy the feeling of finality that i felt once i became married. and the divorce rates are so high i don't know why the conservatives are so concerned with whether or not gays marrying threatens the sacredness of marriage. nothing really is sacred anymore (don't mean to sound hopeless but let's face it) babies are having babies, every day people make empty promises to each other and "god", and every day people break them. people go on t.v. and advertise "i'm hot and want to marry someone rich and hot" selling them selves, but 2 people with legitmate feelings for one another are not allowed to cement their union with a formal term and ceremony... just doesn't seem right at all... just sharing my thoughts, great question though!\nhave a good day!
1099672
When hate-mongering 'christian' bigots stop campaigning against basic equal rights.  \nWhen you, and others like you, start demanding that your representatives remove all barriers to two people in love being able to marry.\nWhen New York upholds the founding principle of the separation of church and state this country was founded on.\n\nIn short, hopefully soon!  :o)
1134506
I've never felt that sexual orientation was the be all and end all question on how to vote. There are so many other issues that  affect the whole country and planet. Yes I believe in the right of same sex couples to marry but that's certianly not the only reason to vote for a candidate.