Gay marriage question at the GOP debate

[atoshkie]

As a married straight women, I have to admit that I'm confused. Are gay people across that world breaking up straight marriage? Is that why they're a threat to family values? Is that why it's their fault that straight marriage divorce rate is so high? This makes no sense. Gay people are not destroying the institution of marriage, it's the people rushing in and out of it like a JCPenny sale. keeping gays from marrying isn't going to lower the to divorce rate one percent

[Samsnak]

Canada has a lower divorce rate than America. And we have gay marriage.

[MrRaphal]

And yet these Northern European countries have the highest standards of living according to every possible source. Huh.

[HeliosFire9ll]

Advocating for Ron Paul

[Bobbe002]

Gov't has no business being in marriage *PERIOD*

Ron Paul 2012

[Coolybtb]

I think marriage is a sacred thing and it is one of the ideals that America is based on I hope that it isn't abused and taken very lightly.

[Merplov]

@Jrila1 Plus you get prevent getting aids by taking medicins.

[Merplov]

@Jrila1 Well there is some people who believe homosexuality is a sin, there are some who dont. Not all gays get aids, and straight people get aids to.

[Jrila1]

@Merplov how is it now a sin??? are we that blinded? of course its a sin!! how many gays ae having sex without being married??? isn't fornication a sin??? legalized gay mariage is only legal in 8 states and before its legal in all 50 states fire and brimstone will be hurled down on planet earth.... no lie!

[videoguy604]

GOP = Party of HATE

[Merplov]

I dont think Gay Marriage hurts the tradional family at all, they are gays who are married in the United States now and that hasnt hurt the Family at all.

[Jrila1]

@Merplov well it does... any sin hurts the moral of any country... the problem is 50 years from the gays problem will hurt the human population with disease and lack of productivity...

[omgwatful]

"mom and dad, bonded together for life."

Who wants to be the first to tell him the divorce rate in the US is around 50%?

[warren52nz]

America is doomed with these Bronze Age ideals. Cmon people, exercise your rights and stop this primitive stifling of freedom! Isn't the USA all about FREEDOM? If 2 people love each other why should anyone else step in to stop their commitment to each other. Is America going to continue to fall behind in modern morality just like they're falling behind in everything else (thanks to towing a religious anchor)?

[tookthenight]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that at least half of straight marriages today don't last. I think a child would be much better of with two married moms or dads than a separated mom and dad. Just let anyone marry who they want to marry! How is it any of your business who someone loves?!? Get real!

[scottly80]

It makes me REALLY sad that Kansas elected Brownback as our governor (I'm not surprised, just sad). I need to move to a different state...

[x0xinfernox0x]

The only way for children to be born is by the union of a man and a woman; so the people having children out of wedlock have to be straight people. This has nothing to do with allowing homosexuals to marry. They can't be blamed for children being born out of wedlock. This is not a valid argument against homosexual marriage!!!

[jacksonmarquice]

You're the biggest retarted I have ever heard,we shouldn't let anybody like you rule OUR country !!!!

[nikitty020]

why do they allow gay marriages? yrs ago it was not allowed. these days its accepted. why r u allowing this nasty taboo stuff all of a sudden? its sick sick sick! real marriage is still only between a man and a woman i have no idea why everyone is allowing gays to live in their fantasy world and make them believe they are actually getting married. lol america needs to get its morals back... like it was in the old days!

[gombis666]

Why do I always imagine Brit Hume having bad breath?

[awesomisticated]

I'm lesbian and my parents got divorced when I was two, yet I can honestly say that my childhood was better than that of my straight friends with married parents. It doesn't take a man and a woman to raise a child, it takes however many people you could possibly think of, of any gender, any political, religious, and personal views. As long as they love and care for the child it doesn't matter.

[geekymarianne]

This guy seems to have his facts a little mixed up. In countries that allow gay marriage, it's actually the rate of divorce that plummets, not the rate of marriage.

[hebrewhammer6312]

The vast support for gay rights in this country is another sign of dark times. People have chosen to reject God's Word and instead decide for themselves what is right or wrong. That independent attitude seperated us from God, and it will continue to alienate us further. It's really a shame.

[nolan38891]

Sam Brownback = Crazy

How many kids grow up with out moms/dads

Federal government should not regulate marriage if you ask me...

[pdaniels9000]

How the fuck is gay marriage responsible for children being born out of wedlock?! Yea, jeez cause those gays are having tons of babies! What an idiot.

[Gravy2468]

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc

[paraparanormal]

If we didn't "redifine" marriage a black person and a white person still could not get married.

[znhait]

Actually in the state of virginia in the case of loving(i believe) vs. virginia, which led to a black person being able to marry a white person, the constitution never said that a black person can't marry a white person. This is the reason why the Supreme Court judged that it was unconstitutional to keep a black person from marrying a white person.

[pyro2290]

The constitution doesn't say anything on the institution of marriage, this is a social issue. Some want the constitution to be amended to say that marriage should be between a man and a woman. This is a social issue based on conservative Christianity, it's for the same reason some women can't be pastors in certain denominations, because the bible say's no. Other denominations have redefined being a pastor to include women.

[timo6170]

and correlation does NOT imply causation

marriage rates have been steadily dropping in western cultures for much longer than when gay marriage was legalized! totally invalid point i can't believe he's trying to play that card.

[timo6170]

a SOCIAL EXPERIMENT? what bullshit that is!! this guy obviously does not understand the issue or the people who want their basic human rights

[LJCampbell25]

Ppl dn't realize the power of marriage. It is the FIRST foundation that was laid down for humanity and it is the most attacked. Countries are made of states, states of cities, cities of towns, towns of communities, communities of FAMILIES. If the foundation is destroyed the rest of the structure will plumit. Christ help us!

[liberatedvialove]

I agree but heterosexuals have destroyed the sanctity of marriage long ago.....BTW-who you voting for.

[LJCampbell25]

PREACH! However in the end ALL this stems from man's respect/love 4 God. When u respect/love God you will respect/love His commands. My fam and I were discussing voting, esp as a Christian. I like Obama but there r certain views he's stated in the realm of morality that greatly disappoints me (in accord with God's word). Ultimately we realized that it's difficult 2 b a Christian AND in politics. Something ALWAYS has 2 b compromised. U CAN'T b 4 the world AND God bcuz the world's enemies of God.

[liberatedvialove]

I would vote 4 ron paul if he had the likeliness to win so ill be voting obama although i disagree with somethings hed be a better "president"than Mccain...and i too plan to be in politics governor or mayor,,,, i love it. And i actually do believe i can make a difference.

[LJCampbell25]

Just know that u'll be playing in the devil's playground. Even Jesus knew it (Jn 18:36). He knows who runnin things down here.

[liberatedvialove]

Well the american people need an option, "I refuse to stand aside and allow special interest to run washington"...lol. well i hope i have your vote.

[LJCampbell25]

Just make sure YOU change the people, n not the ppl change you. Now you know that I stand by your side, as long as you stand on the word of God! *wink*

[liberatedvialove]

thank you... and I'll do my best not to change especially if by me changing i do an injustice to the people. Then id simply resign.

[MrSinister84]

The origin of marriage for started off as a contract to get land and to gain power for kings, they had nothing to do with love, until latter on people added that. And families come in all shapes and sizes not just your typical white mom and dad cutout from the 50's. And no there is no end of the world if gay marriage happens. Is this really all religion is good for?

[DuErGrim1990]

I would just love to rip that fucking douche out of the computer screen and punch the shit out of him. I hate this kind of people. People like him are worthless and stupid, and need to be locked up.

Fuck Republicans and your stupid wed-lock crap and your no to gay-marriage.

From Sofia, who's parents have been together for almost 20 years now without ever getting married (making me a "bastard"), and who has a gay uncle, and a gay friend, whom I love to death

[acms13]

Marriage is Between 1 man and 1 woman!!!

Bei

[IronyAchievement]

I fucking hate those fascist Christian bastards.

[milopezI]

That mans' got some huge cojones to tell his honest opinion instead of trying to dodge the question like a liberal would. I totally agree with him to.

[markofthebeasts]

so, i take it that senator brownback, if owed money by a penniless gay person, would not go after the assets of that same gay persons same-sex spouse, if that spouse had lots of money?  on the principle that he was opposed to gay marriage.... right....

[peduzzi89]

Oooo slick thinking there :).

[AngeloWEENIE]

This guy is really dumb,

Ew

[screenname10101]

continued from last post

(spell check: beginning*)

3. SS couples are no more likely to break up than OS couples

4. Dozens of replicated studies show that children raised by SS couples are just as stable as children raised by OS couples

5. The "foundation" is the stability of the parents, not their genitalia! And children raised by SS couples are still exposed to a broad range of personality traits (in both parents) to guide them.

could say more, but don't feel like it :p

[peduzzi89]

How right you are. He needs to examine ALL of the statistics, and look at the differences between us and those European countries. Problem is, just because he said it, those thousands of people believe it....shame

[screenname10101]

1. It's not a social experiment. same-sex marriage has been apart of cultures all over the world since the bedinning of recorded history. no problems

2. Brownback suggested that the marriage rate has been dropping in countries that recognize SS marriage. But (A) the divorce rate was already steadily increasing *long* before SS marriage was legalized, (B) those countries have no-fault divorces, (C) some of those countries give benefits to non-married and married couples alike...

continued..

[angelmezzanine]

The answer is simple. Government should take it's hands out of marriage. They can make laws that provide for rights for a domestic partnership for both hetro and homo sexual couples, but as for marriage they should leave that to the civilians and religious authorities. If gays want to have a ceremony it's up to them. But GOVERNMENT SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM MARRIAGE.

[thursdaysrecords]

Without a marriage license, no couple (man/woman or otherwise) can be legally married. A church provides merely a ceremonial marriage, not a legal one. The government can not "take its hands out of the marriage business". Without the laws of the State, no marriage performed in any church is recognized.

[mikeymania18]

We need more people like Heidi Turcotte, true Americans who believe in true equality for all

[Johnson154]

So 80% of kids in Western Europe are born out of wedlock... What do you think is worse - being born out of wedlock and growing up with that realization or being born into a "traditional family" where you have a 50% chance of going through your own parents divorce? If "traditional" marriage were sanctified by god, and truly a holy institution, would it have a 50% failure rate??? F**king holier-than-thou christian a**holes.

[csh150]

Where's the fucking evidence shithead Brownback? Oh well, doesn't matter, he's not even running anymore rofl...knock on wood.

[jambalaya54321]

Please. Bigot piece of shit.

40 years ago, people would have said the same thing about interracial marriage.

[shotinthedark33]

I don't know about you...but there was pretty much nothing sacred about the marriage between my mom and my biological father that I never met. The thing that bothers me most about this argument is not that they don't want gays and lesbians to get married, but that they completely devalue the relationship that can exist between two men or two women. I know several gay/lesbian couples who've been raising children and have had families just as functional as any straight couple is capable of.

[patriciaoday]

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[JudicaelFR]

Open your eyes a little bit !

Familly values are extremely important !

Have on the society ! Lot of problems are coming from the collapsing of the familly values !

Gay Marriage is hitting familly values as other many things !

Familly is the cell of every society !

[miniroseyo]

This stuff makes me laugh. Gay marriage destroying family values? Are they retarded? just goes to show the old men in washington are outdated and know nothing of the concerns of the people today.

Screw them.

[ambientpm]

I HATE AMERICA AND ALL ITS BIGETS.

[HoyaSaxa3]

It is clear that this is going nowhere, so I have one last question for you. How do you know that your translation, interpretation, and application of the Bible is correct? And not only correct, but immutable.

[HoyaSaxa3]

And to answer your question: I believe that the Bible is much more than a history book and set of rules. It is a spiritual guide; one which has changed my life. I don't believe that Jesus would desire anything but equal rights and protections for gay couples. I believe he would support same-sex relationships. I can't provide adequate Biblical justification for you, but my Christian spirituality as a whole (as opposed to a few verses) tells me it is correct. Happy Holidays btw.

[nbtrap]

The funny thing is, I can show you in the Bible where it says homosexual intercourse is a sin. It is not implicit and it is certainly not up to interpretation like many other things in the Bible. The Church has indeed evolved; the word of God has not.

[nbtrap]

I can understand someone arguing why he thinks homosexuality is okay, but to argue about what the Bible (i.e. what a real Christian believes) says is silly.

[nbtrap]

By your reasoning, I could claim I am an Orthodox Jew who worships Zeus. You would argue, "Who says an Orthodox Jew can't worship Zeus?" It is a silly question, because an Orthodox Jew is a monotheist. In the same regard, someone can follow certain teachings of Christ and ignore others; that does not make him a Christian.

[HoyaSaxa3]

Do you honestly think that I have not seen and read those passages?

Let's take Leviticus 18:22. Ok, that passage is explicit. So is 18:29, which says that such people should be cut off from their people. Do you believe we should do that too?

Or how about Leviticus 19:27, which says "Do not cut the hait at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard." Are Christians committing a sin every morning when they shave?

[HoyaSaxa3]

Just one more, though I could go on all day. As a true Christian, do you follow the teaching as expressed in Deuteronomy 22:22? Why are you not striving for a constitutional amendment requiring the immediate execution of adulterers?

[nbtrap]

Because the Mosaic Law (from which you have quoted Leviticus) was nullified and replaced after the resurrection of Christ, which you would know if you read Romans.

[HoyaSaxa3]

Ok fRomans 1:26-27 then. First there's obviously the difficulty of translation, and then applying that translation to relationships that simply were not present at the date of authorship, such as loving, monogomous gay couples. Also, the passage can be interpreted to say that Christians should not act against their sexual nature, not simply that homosexuality is sinful. Some Homosexuality can be seen to be a completely natural sexual orientation, in which case it would not be immoral.

[HoyaSaxa3]

What is the point of quoting Bible verses? I can do that with you day after day, and we're not going to get anywhere. You can make the Bible say anything you want. What I'm concerned with is compassion toward all of my brothers and sisters, striving for equality. I fully support same-sex marriage; I am a Christian; and I will continue to be one.

[nbtrap]

You are not a Christian. You are someone who believes what you want (nothing wrong with that), and your beliefs are in opposition to Christian fundamentalism--which means you are not a Christian. By your logic, everyone who accepts one aspect of Christ's teaching is a Christian. You can't pick only the ideas you like and still be a Christian.

[nbtrap]

And I quoted the Bible because I believe the verses apply to you and other so-called "Christians" who support same-sex marriage. Marriage, as defined by the Bible, is the union between a husband and wife. To believe otherwise is not wrong yet not Christian.

[nbtrap]

"Woe to those who call evil good."

- Isaiah 5:20

In Christianity, homosexuality is a sin, and sin is evil. My question is, do you, who by claiming to be Christian imply your belief in the quoted verse (as well as the verses that label homosexual lust as a sin), think this applies at all to you?

[jokr8790]

Conservatives really want to screw with the Constitution in order to promote their homophobic agenda. Well why not, they screwed with the Constitution to violate our rights in so many other areas.

[jokr8790]

I would like to see proof that because gays could marry that it affected the decision of non-gays to marry. Show me one couple that changed their mind or had a divorce because gays might be able to marry. Even with DOMA the U.S. has the worst average of succesful marriages.

[mikke187]

A man and and a women can hate eachother, do drugs and beat their children, and they STILL have more rights to get married than homosexuells? Great speach by little Hitler up there

[ominuka]

Well at least you looked at the bright side of things, asshole.

[velocity246]

I dont understand - how is it if gays are allowed to marry - heterosexuals will want to have children out of wedlock? He doesnt make the connection why this is. It doesnt make sense at all!!!

[oneloveX14]

Children are born out of wedlock because of two irresopnsible people. Not Gays.

Why doesn' he say what he really feels? Gays shouldn't marry because its not Christain.

[HoyaSaxa3]

Many Christians fully support gay marriage. I know that it doesn't seem that way, which is frustrating, but it's true.

[nbtrap]

Calling yourself a Christian does not mean you are.

[HoyaSaxa3]

I agree. And I could say the same to you.

[nbtrap]

And?

[HoyaSaxa3]

I don't understand. Some Christians support same-sex marriage. Some don't. I side with those who do. What's the problem?

[nbtrap]

Calling yourself a Christian who supports gay marriage is like calling yourself a Muslin who worships idols. A Christian, by definition, does not support gay marriage; unfortunately, there are those who think they can accept only the parts of God's word with which they agree.

[nbtrap]

"I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles, in opposition to the teaching that you learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent." Rom 16.17

[HoyaSaxa3]

Just take a look through history and see how the Church has evolved. I'd like to hear your definition of Christianity, though it is surely grossly inadequate in describing all that is involved with true spirituality. "Follow the Bible" isn't good enough, considering "follow" can be taken in many different ways.

[loudnmouthy]

Sort of like the ministers of numerous churches who neglect to warn thier flocks about what Jesus said concerning those who remarry?

[HoyaSaxa3]

If you really think that Christianity is some unified idea that only you and your specific church understand, then there's nothing more I have to say. I don't think that same-sex marriage is contrary to Christian principles. Much the opposite actually. It is clear that you disagree, but how dare you call me non-Christian "by definition."

[HoyaSaxa3]

Do you not realize the inherent problem with your line of argument? By your definition, I am not Christian. But what if I don't grant you that your definition of Christianity is correct (as it certainly isn't provable).

[loudnmouthy]

An american,by definition,does not support excluding an entire group of people from equality before the law based on characteristics unrelated to thier rights as individuals.

[nbtrap]

No. An American is a citizen and/or native of a country belonging to one of the American continents. If you could define a word the way you would like to (as HolySaxa3 has), the laws of logic, which are based in universal truth (i.e. the fact that something can be true for all people at all times) could not apply.

[HoyaSaxa3]

YOU are defining a Christian as being one who strictly follows the literal word of the Bible. That is YOUR definition, not a universal, objective one.

[nbtrap]

By calling someone a Christian, you imply that he believes in the Bible, just like you imply someone eats only kosher by calling him an Orthodox Jew.

[HoyaSaxa3]

I do believe in the Bible. Just not in the same way that you do.

[Schuuuurman]

Does anyone not see the flaw in his logic?

The divorce rate has been climbing steadily all over the country, even before gay marriages were allowed in some states. That's not what really made me laugh, though.

Children being born out of wedlock? Sorry, Brownback, that too was increasing before gay marriages were allowed. And if you need a quick lesson on anatomy, two people of the same sex can't have children together. This is simple biology. So lets keep the arguments relevant, alright?

[StoneMagnet]

Why is this moron going on about children being born out of wedlock when arguing against gay marriage? Gays...can't have children. And the divorce rate was already over 50% before gay marriage became legal anywhere in the United States.

[mauvaischat77]

I'd like to see a Constitutional amendment banning conservatives.

[superhelen07]

what?? making it legal for gays to marry will make the marrage rate go down??? humm ok...

[mikeyblogs]

so, please dont pull that card.

[lordchaos888]

Well, I personally don't think any Candidate should waffle on the gay marriage issue. Gay marriage is abhorrent. Homosexuals are abhorrent, and a blight on this Country; both men on men and women on women. Homosexuality is an abomination. God has not changed His views on this wicked and abominal practice, and all Homosexuals should be escorted out of our Nation, before God rains down fire and brimstone on us all. You can quote me, or even call me homophobic. I could care less.

[mikeyblogs]

what do you make of the scientific evidence showing consistent biological differences in homo/ hetero men? maybe you should do some research. and dont be so ignorant so as to use religion as a mask for your views. you may preach that homosexuality is a sin but I preach that sodomy (what it originally meant) is wrong. our definitions of are different now than when the Bible was written, meaning that people who use the Bible to back up their views are ignoring the society from which it was raised.

[billionbucks]

GOP = GRAND OLD PERVERTS! They have NO right to speak about family values. STOP THE GOP!

[MJMB5056]

The USA should not be like Saudia Arabia & so many other countries that have "forced religious laws" We should be FREE to marry who we choose(ever heard the word FREE Americans?).This country is going down a very dangerous path,and losing freedoms every day.

[smilelkumeanit26]

"a foundational institution" NO ITS A RELIGIOUS TERM!!!! LEAVE YOUR DAMN POLITICS OUT OF MY PRIVATE LIFE

[SilverPheonix360]

Agreed

[droppingcrumbs]

"... When you take the sacredness out of marriage..." "... Children born out of wedlock, when they should be born into wedlock..."

Blatantly ignoring the First Amendment a little bit, aren't we? Sounds like SOME people should learn to leave their religious baggage at the door.

[jacksonless]

Thats an new one, gay marraige will decrease over all marraiges ... one might think that allowing more people to marry would increase marriage. Or am I missing something...

[SilverPheonix360]

so what is his plan exactly? to force gays and lesbians to marry the opposite sex? lol how is it that marriage would drop? Is he implying that straights would then choose to marry someone of the same sex? For goodness sake where is his logic? His reason? His proof? Why are we not getting these answers?

It is sad.- Jade

[doctorjunebugg2000]

why is it my or anyone elses buisness who gets married. are they going to get a law passed next that says ugly people cant marry the beatiful? this is not the place for my hard earned taxes this is not american.......they want to put this in the constitution?

[krugar67]

Just ask Ghoulinani and GW FAG Bush .

Bitch slapping is too good for them.

[asdffd]

HELP! The CIA told Bush BEFORE THE WAR Saddam had no WMDs according to Sidney Blumentahl's new article at Salon. "Bush dismissed as worthless this information from the Iraqi foreign minister, a member of Saddam's inner circle, although it turned out to be accurate in every detail." THIS INTEL WAS NOT SHARED WITH ANY MEMBER OF CONGRESS. CONGRESS DID NOT SEE THE SAME INTELLIGENCE AS BUSH BEFORE THE WAR! BUSH/CHENEY HAVE BETRAYED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!

[somekidnamed]

Sam Brownback - what an idiot. But it was encouraging to see many GOP members booing him when he said that. How dare he tell gay people that they cannot get married. And how dare he say that we should write discrimination into the US Constitution. Civil liberties and equality are for all of us - that's the American way.

[epbut]

sooooo where did he get these stats... his ass?

[mikejmoe]

Brownback's overall message of rebuilding the family structure is an huge issue in America today.

Yes, families don't get along, but by rebuilding the family and not redefining marriage, we make famalies stronger.

Civil liberties are important to many people, but by protecting traditional marriage in America, you build stronger families as a result.

[patronetone]

How does "protecting traditional marriage" build stronger families? If the couple down the street is not gay, then that makes you a better parent? Please explain. (I'm not being confrontional, I'm just wondering.)

[mikejmoe]

By raising a child in a household between a mother and a father, children have role models the way God intended for it to be. I grant that this isn't the only way, but the best way to build stronger families.

In Europe, many countries are redefining marriage, and as a result, more children are being born out of wedlock. This is where we have many issues on marriage. Various opinions are on this, but by creating civil unions, the central breakdown of the family occurs.

[patronetone]

Yes but on what grounds do you propose that this is the best way to build strong families? Some children are raised by single mothers and fathers, some with parents that have passed away or that are overseas; nobody says that these children have poor role models.

[patronetone]

Also, homosexual couples who adopt children actually WANT to have children, which is (in my opinion) much better than an unwanted child in a heterosexual couple; this ensures that children adopted by homosexual couples will be taken care of much better than if they simply remained in the foster system.

[patronetone]

The only way a "breakdown of the family" occurs is if your basic premise is that homosexual people don't know how to be parents, which to me seems tantamount to racism, and completely unjustifiable (not saying that you said that, though). Having two moms is not different than having a single mother, except that the child might grow up respectful of other homosexual marriages; this arrangement would not "turn the child homosexual", which is I think what some conservatives are afraid of.

[patronetone]

Also, to which European countries are you referring, and can you please include some statistics to back that statement? Not to mention that wedlock is a non-issue among homosexual couples, lol, so that entire argument does not make sense, as redefining marriages does not make heterosexual teenagers more promiscuous.

[dogdidit]

You should be ashamed of yourself that as an American you just used the phrase "Civil liberties are important to many people but...". No, sir. No. No "but". We don't have a "but" when it comes to civil liberties in this country. That's Un-American, plain and simple.

[argos332]

Agree 100% dogdidit. I also agree with patronetone's statements, you can't honestly think that marriage redefinition actually will encourage people to do a bad job raising their children. That's beyond absurd.

[argos332]

And there are no credible studies that show that same-sex couples raising children inherently lack the qualities necessary to raise that child properly. If anything, it's the narrow-minded bigots raising their children to act that way as well that will cause psychological harm to the child.

[prtlsy]

Brownback is either an idiot or a bald-faced liar. He's been involved in these debates long enough and often enough to know better, so I'm going have to go with liar. Love the people in the crowd who booed him, though.

[shadowh1]

That sucks this person to says what... about marriage (straight / gay.) I think if somehow,we will unite having marriage to be as one.

[catobear1704]

Marriage was "falling apart" long before gay people came in and started "destroying" it. To think that the one influences the other exclusively is just silly.

[knit1purl1]

No, it does not make any sense to me.

[joelzoom]

So the reason there are more heterosexuals having kids out of wedlock in Europe is because homosexuals (who aren't giving birth to anything) are allowed to get married.

That's suppose to make sense to anyone?

Why don't we just blame the increase on the cancellation of "Matlock"? Or because it rained on Tuesday?

[kcgirlgeek]

"Between a mom and dad bonded together for LIFE?" WTH....where does this guy LIVE?! Hetero marriages are not suddenly stable because THIS moron SAYS so. I know more than a few gay couples who have been together for 20 years of more. Oh yeah, what's next...are they going to try to take MY children and my partner's children AWAY from us? We have three wonderful children from our "long lasting" straight marriages...pffft. We've been together longer than our marriages lasted.

[nper31]

Even my well-informed friends in the U.S. will say to me, "But you can marry in Massachusetts!"

That is irrelevant, because immigration is a federal issue. Moreover, current U.S. policy is causing a massive brain drain. Thousands of people are leaving the U.S. as exiles.

Please, give me the right to come home together with my partner. Give me legal rights equal to any straight person's. Encourage Congress to pass the Uniting American Families Act now!

[nper31]

Most of the support for UAFA comes from Democrats. But I'm sure there are Republicans who will also want to stop this inhumane treatment of U.S. citizens, if they would only think about it.

The problem is two-fold: (a) We who are abroad are politically invisible, and (b) a lot of Americans simply do not believe that it is difficult to bring someone to live in America.

[nper31]

Most of the support for UAFA comes from Democrats. But I'm sure there are Republicans who will also want to stop this inhumane treatment of U.S. citizens, if they would only think about it.

The problem is two-fold: (a) We who are abroad are politically invisible, and (b) a lot of Americans simply do not believe that it is difficult to bring someone to live in America.

[nper31]

"Families, Unvalued" reports the stories of 30 bi-national couples who are suffering—and the authors certainly had many more stories to choose from.

THE LAST U.S. CENSUS found 40,000 binational same-sex couples living in the United States, but that number is vastly understated, excluding the many who are afraid to report themselves and the thousands who are living abroad.

Unfortunately, until now the politics have followed party lines.

[nper31]

So why is America so backward?

Human Rights Watch and Immigration Equality published a landmark report entitled, "Families, Unvalued" that documents the irrationality and human suffering caused by the current U.S. policy.

[nper31]

There are many thousands of Americans in Western Europe alone that are facing the same problem.

Luckily, 19 countries allow same-sex partner immigration, including most Western democracies (excluding the U.S.). Uniting American Families Act now!

[nper31]

This problem is not just affecting me. There are many thousands of Americans in Western Europe alone that are facing the same problem.

[nper31]

THE CURE FOR my problem is the Uniting American Families Act, introduced by Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). This law would humanely and simply add "permanent partners" to "spouses" in the Immigration & Nationality Act.

It would solve our problem. It would let me bring him to live in America. It would also end my second-class status as a U.S. citizen, lacking the legal immigration rights that straight people take for granted.

This problem is not just affecting me.

[nper31]

The cure for my problem is the Uniting American Families Act, introduced by Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). This law would humanely and simply add "permanent partners" to "spouses" in the Immigration & Nationality Act.

[nper31]

The strangely named "Defense of Marriage Act," a federal law passed in 1996, specifies that he cannot be my family for immigration purposes.

He cannot live in the United States, unless he were to enter into a fake marriage with a woman, or pretend to take a student visa he doesn't plan to take. Of course, he won't do either of those things. And fortunately, Spain welcomes us.

[nper31]

Since 2004 I have lived in Spain, with my wonderful Spanish husband.

But U.S. law intentionally and cruelly forced me to choose: either live with Noel outside of America, or live in America without him.

[nper31]

Even though I am a native-born U.S. citizen who lived in America until I was 42 years old, I have been exiled by U.S. law. I am a "love exile." Because I am gay, I am a second-class U.S. citizen, lacking the basic right to live in America together with my non-U.S. partner.

[nper31]

Please help bring me home

Cruel U.S. laws have forced thousands of gay binational couples to live abroad. It's time to pass the Uniting American Families Act.

I'd like to come home to live in America. No, let me be clearer. I'd like to be able to live in America. But I cannot.

[judesadeka]

Be free and go with the flow of nature. HAPPINESS and FREEDOM is the best way to live a beautiful life. If you're gay and lesbian then be proud of it. period. And pls to the people who hates gay be open-minded and you cannot change being gay because its a gift of nature and stop looking for the bible because its a BIG BIG CRAP in terms of homosexuality. Gay is normal, gay people is intellegent and gay can do anything where straight male can't do. Life is to short and enjoy life. Dios mio.

[judesadeka]

Be free and go with the flow of nature. HAPPINESS and FREEDOM is the best way to live a beautiful life. If you're gay and lesbian then be proud of it. period. And pls to the people who hates gay be open-minded and you cannot change being gay because its a gift of nature and stop looking for the bible because its a BIG BIG CRAP in terms of homosexuality. Gay is normal, gay people is intellegent and gay can do anything where straight male can't do. Life is to short and enjoy life.

[dafttool]

Brownback actually has the audacity to blame the divorce rate and children born out of wedlock rate on the supposed social experiment of gay marraige, something that hardly even exists in America. Yet again, a GOP is scapegoating gay people for the social ills of straights. Brownback doesn't have a snowball's chance in Hell in becoming president, but it is still exasperating to hear his tired xenophobic arguments.

[wntoply6]

what's even more scary is brownback's willingness to write discrimination for the first time into the U.S. constitution.

it just goes to show how dangerous republicans like him are. it also shows they are only interested in themselves, and to hell with other tax paying americans.

[wntoply6]

and america does not need in any shape or form a president so limited in ideas that he believes in intelligent design. this cocamamie theory says the earth is only 6,000 years old, and man inhabited the earth with dinasours.

just what america needs another right wing nut pushing his christian fairytales on everyone else.

thank god this idiot is going to resign the senate in 2010.

[judesadeka]

I agree, that guy is idiot. How about if his son is gay and still on the closet? mmmmmmm. If you are a parent and have a child or a children then you hate gay people then you have to think of it whats the future of your child either.

[nper31]

This guy's an idiot..... yes Iam agree

[iwishillwilluponyou]

that is such a weak bullshit excuse. "children born out of wedlock" have nothing to do with gay marriage. gay couples don't have unexpected children...

[JON34470]

I AGREE!