A long rant on the inequality of marriage.

As a lesbian, I like to read up on news in the LGBTQ community. Recently at the start of 2012 two states, Hawaii and Delaware, have recognized civil unions. That makes 8 states that now at least recognize same-sex couples AS couples. 8 out of 50... Only 6 states and Washington D.C. recognize gay marriage at all. Most of you already know this.

I just read that the Washington governor, Chris Gregoire, now supports gay marriage and is trying to get it legalized in her state. Even though the state is mainly democrats, it's still a very good chance that it won't get legalized because the conservative democrats are siding with the republicans.

There are so many people who keep saying that marriage is a sacred ceremony between a man and a woman. That God hates gays. That gays are unforgivable sinners. First of all, if we weren't meant to be, then we wouldn't be. Secondly, why does it matter to anyone else what other people do?!? Me being in love with another women won't effect my neighbors or my community. It won't lead to the rapture. It won't destroy the world or be the start of people marrying their toasters! More than half of Washington state is against gay marriage. MOST OF THE COUNTRY is against gay marriage! But why? How will two men or two women getting married going to effect them in any way? The most I, or any other gay person will effect is our families. Because they have to live with us. Or at least talk to us. We aren't going to "infect" the straight population and turn everyone gay just because we want to get married. We have every right as United States citizens to be joined with whom we deem worthy.

Even our federal government doesn't recognize gay partners as a couple. Being gay won't have any effect on the government at all! If they just let us be us, then our country will be that much less divided. We can focus on more important matters. Being in the military I can finally be open about who I am, which makes me feel closer to my fellow soldiers, but I still can't get married while I still have my uniform. Does that make any sense? No. It doesn't! The military says I can be gay. That's alright. But if I fall in love with another woman I can't legally be married to her. She can't have any of my benefits, that say, if I had a husband would get.

Anyone against gay marriage and against homosexuality in general are hypocrites. They want their rights, they want equality, but they feel as though we are lesser citizens and we shouldn't have the same rights as them. If the government suddenly told them that marriage between a man and a women was illegal they would stand up against that, so why is marriage between two men and two woman illegal?

I'm not saying this is the whole heterosexual community, because it isn't. There are plenty of straight supporters of gays. But those ignorant people, who say we are wrong for being who we are, need to get off their high horses and learn to not judge someone for being themselves and especially before they know them. I actually had really close friends who talked to me and hung out with me everyday. Once they found out I was gay they cut me from their lives in two seconds flat. It's not like I'm any different now that I'm out than when I wasn't.

Sorry for the long rant, just that article about Washington State and the guy against their governor actually using the argument that "The people of this country believe that marriage is a union of a man and a woman." Seriously pissed me off. Feel free to give your opinions, gay or straight on this topic.

 

If marriage is so sacred, how come us Bible-bashing atheists can get married (as long as it's to the opposite sex)?

It's very rare for those against gay marriage to come out and honestly say why.

That's one of the real struggles for gay rights, as well as for the modern class struggles. It's all between the lines. On so many things, you just can't get clear communication these days.

 

i bet if suddenly homosexual marriage was legalized but no one told those homophobe pricks about it they wouldn't even notice it... because like you said, it doesnt concern them

its just ridiculous that there still is people who think like that...

 

I just find it very upsetting. (And I still say the most homophobic are gay themselves.)

 

The way it seems to me, is that most people are, at the least, "appreciative" of their own gender's form. However, the stigmas on homosexuality, ignorance and repression of sexuality in general, causes many to react poorly to their own feelings.

I'd say most all homophobics have feelings they are uncomfortable with, but it varies on what exactly those feelings are, and of course, how strong those feelings are.

 

i always viewed sexuality NOT as black and white like most people do.

i mean.... the way most people see, you're either hetero, homo or bi,

but i think its not like that, and just like you said, stigmas on homosexuality makes people repress their feelings...

you know, in ancient roma, there wasnt this concept of homo/hetero...

 

You're right sexuality is not black and white. It's a very fluid grey. It's all molded into itself and you fall for who you fall for. Whether it's male or female. Labels don't actually mean anything but to give you a place in society.

I identify as a lesbian, but I've had more experiences with men. (Not that I've had many experiences with either sex lol) I can still appreciate a good looking man but I'd just rather be with a woman. Sexuality is whoever you're attacted to physically, emotionally, spiritually, or all three. The person's sex really has little to do with it, though you may prefer one over the other. It's very possible to "switch teams" at any point in your life because you found someone who matches you better than the previous people you've been with.

 

Soon we will have our time

 

I think it's completely right that something so backwards as marriage should be governed by very backward people.

 

I don't think it's backward at all

 

This.

Nothing the OP mentioned has anything to do with what its all really about.

 

Arguing like this, you'll never get anything.

Your whole point is "it's not hurting anyone", which WOULD be true, but when you deal with religion and morality, part of morality is shoving YOUR morality down the throats of OTHERS. If other people do something that feels good to them, it is a personal affront to christians.

So..... we get it, you don't hurt anyone. Neither does pot. But you do something that feels good and does not make babies, and thus, is not required for human life on earth. So religious people don't like it.

 

This issue is very frustrating and complex. I have always felt that the main reason the federal government refuses to recognize gay marriage is due to the inheritance tax that is placed on non-married individuals (which is how they currently categorize homosexual unions). Because they don't recognize us as married, they can charge a 25% tax on inheritance that is not charged on married couples. And when you think that a large portion of the gay community is generally well off then the Fed stands to make a lot of money off us due to this.

A lot of the debate is posturing from the right and the politicians of course use the bible and religion as an easy go to for anything they think their constituents won't like. It's frustrating and infuriating, but we are making progress and time is on our side. Growing up I never thought that I could love the way my heart told me to. I never thought I could be in a loving relationship, let alone be married. But it's changing and we are winning against the outdated model of thinking.

 

Not arguing. It was a rant that anyone can put their own opinion to. It's more of a debate than an argument. I wanted to see everyone else point of view on a very fragile controversial issue. That's all. I want to be able to understand everyone's views on the subject. Whether someone is for or against it and why.

 

Exactly. Theres tax money, SSI, deductions, etc.. the govt and insurance corps would have to pay if they recognized gay marriage. Same with common law marriage. Many states like Indiana dont recognize a marriage unless its filed at the courthouse. Man woman only. That's Bullshit! Two singles pay way more then one couple. Follow the money! Its not about morals yet the politicians use that as a smokescreen to deny people their rights.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3elpEYAAuY&feature=related
three poems by Andrea Gibson about humanity, war, and love/gay marriage
the whole set is amazing but specifically for this thread 8:45

 

I completely agree. Although there are a lot of states that do not accept it, there are few that do. I would go there and marry, asuming you have the money and the time and all. I think that it is something that just needs time to spread to more states and cultures. I look at as an immaturity in culture and I hope and believe it is something we can get past. Just to clarify I am a straight male and I don't have any problem what so ever with gay marriage.. So there is hope :]

 

I remember Peter from Family Guy saying "If they want to be miserable like the rest of us, let them." I guess I'm pessimistic cause most straight marriages don't work out. I don't read the news much and I was asked to be married and I nearly shat myself when I found it was legal in most of Canada lol. Well I said no cause I was so unsure...