1- The best man at my wedding is homosexual. I consider him my closest friend and I love him as I do my own family.
2- Same sex MARRIAGE is a personal attack on my marriage and family.
3- The gov needs to get out of the marriage business. Marital status should be "don't ask, don't tell" and should not be used in determining benefits and taxes. A persons marital status should not be any business of the gov.
4- Without don't ask don't tell, sexual orientation could be used based on statistics.
1- The best man at my wedding is homosexual. I consider him my closest friend and I love him as I do my own family.
2- Same sex MARRIAGE is a personal attack on my marriage and family.
3- The gov needs to get out of the marriage business. Marital status should be "don't ask, don't tell" and should not be used in determining benefits and taxes. A persons marital status should not be any business of the gov.
4- Without don't ask don't tell, sexual orientation could be used based on statistics.
You've got to be kidding. No society in history has stood for very long once they got heavily into homosexuality. The definition of marriage can not be termed by man and deemed OK. God Himself is the one that instituted marriage when He said that the two become one and this is why a 'man' shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his 'wife.' Jesus said that in the beginning, God created them male and female. He didn't create them Bob and Tom or Mary and Sue.
dont buy products manufactured or created by gays. Thats the only way to destroy this whole gay activism that is funded through these products. Straights just say no to stuff created by gays.
@SamHarrisCOM Don't listen to these stupid homophobes mate they don't mind infringing on the rights of gays but if it was the other way round they would bitch and moan about it for everyone to hear. I am not gay but I have friends who are and it is sickening to know that homophobia and inequality still exist in the 21th century keep up the fight and maybe one day knowledge and compassion and respect will overturn ignorance and prejudice
@SamHarrisCOM Don't listen to these stupid homophobes mate they don't mind infringing on the rights of gays but if it was the other way round they would bitch and moan about it for everyone to hear. I am not gay but I have friends who are and it is sickening to know that homophobia and inequality still exist in the 21th century keep up the fight and maybe one day knowledge and compassion and respect will overturn ignorance and prejudice
Don't listen to these stupid homophobes mate they don't mind infringing on the rights of gays but if it was the other way round they would bitch and moan about it for everyone to hear. I am not gay but I have friends who are and it is sickening to know that homophobia and inequality still exist in the 21th century keep up the fight and maybe one day knowledge and compassion and respect will overturn ignorance and prejudice
The problem is the cancer of religion and religious dogma. People who take their holy books seriously have a severely impeded view of the world and are unable to separate the supernatural bullshit from reality and the reality of suffering that their religious dogma has on those around them. It is time we started ridiculing the whole idea of religion and remove it from its pedestal in our society. The whole idea of homophobia is exclusively religious and it should not be protected.
@lizichell2 Boy are you twisted. we are not the ones that are hurting society. But, the bible has predicted times like this one we are in and I read the last book. We are victorious in the end. Stop listening to the evil one and turn your heart towards God as He paid the price for your sin as well as mine.
The arguement over gay marriage continues. I personal dont support it and i just find it wrong for people to force me to like gay people, hell i dont force people to like black people. These gay people need to realize that everyone in the world will not like you. Just deal with that, Im not a christan so i dont care about the gay thing going against the god thing. Just stop calling me a bigot because i dont agree with your lifestyle, i think thats so wrong.
@mshategays421 whats soo wrong to you? Straight LOVE the people of the different sex, and gay LOVE the people of the same sex, were not trying to brainwash you to be like us (im gay - 19 yo). All we want is the same equality as you and we are by no mean WRONG people. Just something you should know, when you say you dont like gay people on the internet, be ready to look like a stupid moron and have comments saying it in your face, face it, youre stupid to think like that. (im french by the way)
@chrisl3698 Yes, gay people are destroying the universe by existing. If only they would stop forcing you to have sex with them, then the icebergs would stop melting and Sarah Palin would learn how to use birth control.
I don't get why there are EVEN disputes about this, seriously does no one ,who argue against gays,known the SEPARATION of church-state clause of the constitution? Obviously MARRIAGE is by definition a religious ceremony therefore to deny any such person the right to be legally recognized as a union, based on RELIGIOUS views is not only a violation of the said clause but also an affront to the notion civil and personal liberties so treasured by the people of the UNITED states of America.
They beilieve the planets 6000 years old, once you believe that nonsense anything is reasonable. That's off by seven magnitudes, in other words their understanding of reality is so skewed that anything they say or believe is totally worthless.
Taxes are not based on you getting what you want. IF you live in America and enjoy the conveniences and protection afforded by living here, you pay taxes. Law is dictated by majority, for the benefit of the whole. You have choices and one of them is find another country in which to live. I can point you to several with higher disease, mortality and HIV rates. 48% of HIV infected people in this country are those who are gay or bisexual. That's a BIG red flag right there.
I say give the gays their rights to marry and adopt, let bestiality be legal, legalize any and all drugs, the state seize all farmland with children to be wards of the state and divide remaining families, outlaw free speech and take away all gun rights. Mandatory vaccinations and higher taxes with an abortion clinic on every corner right next to federal grant given liberalized churches. Then at least we can separate the sheeple from who we are and what we believe, then we wait for His coming.
@snowfallzz Oh goody. Another religious fanatic spewing garbage, comparing people with same-sex attractions to drug addicts. Too bad there is no comparison other than your inability to understand morality without a Bronze Age story book.
@Honestinwilkesbarre If you are a consenting tax paying adult American, marriage is a right. Period. It is you who is "privileged" if you are given rights that are not equal to every American.
You say that two consenting adults should be able to become a legally bound and recognized relationship, yet you then go on to qualify it yourself saying that incest isn't also between consenting adults. At what point do we draw the line? Let's remove all discrimination and define it as "any two consenting individuals"? Even you have a limit, at what point can we draw that line?
Incest actually causes harm, bisexual, and homosexual relationships do not, you have zero proof that they do so fuck off don't talk you have zero to contribute.
Like ALL Demopubs, Obama is a Nazi fascist suck-up. Reagan and Bushes and Clinton were all a bunch of rightwing ultraconservatives who destroyed society and this country because they are subhuman trash, worse than the 911 hijackers who at least had balls. Obama like all Demopubs never did a hard day of work in his life and never accomplished anything.
Only when Obama and all Demopubs are forced out and replaced by Greens, Socialists & Libertarians will gays get equal rights.
I'm not sure Obama is what you say, he isn't able to accomplish what needs to be done because of the position he is in and because of the people who actually control things.
I am not sure what you mean. If the President of the USA cannot make a law happen, then who else can? Nobody. There is no other person in charge of "gay laws". Bottom line: Obama, like ALL Republicrats, are subhuman trash. Killing them by forcing them to drink bleach is no more morally wrong than murdering bacteria, because Demopubs are not sentient beings. They do not have any mental capacity.
How would anyone KNOW that pouring bleach down Demopubs' throats has any negative effect?
The president cannot bring laws into being on his own, he needs the support of Congress, and the Senate. I'm a Canadian and I know this why don't you?
@dtracy000: What you have just said disgusts me, and is just NOT RIGHT. What about mother/daughter, father/son, and brother/brother? If incestuous people get rights, then so should incestuous gay people.
@lenny1114: Correct, all gay people do die. So will you. You are gay. wat?
If you attempt to define a homosexual relationship as a full marriage, then you should also support incestual relationships such as mother/son, father/daughter and brother/sister and similar. If you support legalization of homosexual relationships, you should be sure that you support incest, because it would be next.
Your a piece of trash. I am not gay, but if I met you I'd knock your face in. There is nothing wrong with gay people and people have the right to pick their sexuality.
What if the two consenting adults are brothers? What if it's 4 consenting adults? Are you saying the citizens of the United States ought not have any say regarding which relationships are given the state's blessing?
Do you think same sex couples ought to have the same right to adopt children as male-female couples, too? Should fatherlessness and motherlessness be considered as ideal as having both a mother and a father?
Polygamists are not given "equal rights" in the U.S. Do you care?
As for all you Christian out there.....what gives you the right to judge other people and there rights.... the Bible states that only God and Jesus can judge... he love us all and mades us this way for a reason....
While God & Jesus are judges, they are not here to reign over the affairs of man. We must do that on our own, with the best judgement we can. That judgement should be based on reason and history. If you consider the bible at all, then you should consider what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah. Even so, I have the right, even a responsibility, to judge those that I would allow in my home, around my family, and to other extents.
I do believe in equal rights for homosexuals under civil unions. I don't like it to be called marriage, and after watching the interview of barack obama on gay marriage, and seeing it come from his own lips (available here on youtube under barack obama on gay marriage) that he's for civil unions with equal rights, I'm quite satisfied with that.
hi, i'm doing a report for school about same sex marriage, and i would like to know if u can refer me to any good informational web sites that have correct information. i'm For same sex marriage. i just dont want to be uneducated about it trying to persuade my class that there is nothing wrong with same sex marriage. i even got a comment from a girl saying "God created Adam & Eve, not Adam & Steve."
so i just need some good references please..thanks
I am afraid you may be right. We shall see. I still believe he wants to do the right thing. Whether or not he has the guts to stand up for what I hope he believes is another subject. It's strange how people get to power on the the principles of their heart, and often abandon them when their ego takes over and they are afraid of losing their power by alienating some constituents, even if those people are not on the right side of good.
They don't let good patriotic gay people into the military, but some crazy jihadie mulism psychos are ok???.............is this country ass backwards???
We're scared of things that are different, so we don't allow gays in the military.
Prop 8 isn't an issue of protecting marriage, because marriage is a worthless institution. It's an issue of bigotry. If 2 gays married, who does it hurt and how? If I was married, and I had 2 gay men who were married next door, I wouldn't care because it's not hurting my marriage.
Prop 8 did not take away existing fundamental constitution rights or the legal rights that come with marriage. those judges made up those rights out of nothing and prop 8 had no effect on civil unions provided there. the only thing that prop 8 took away were additional marriage rights to marry someone of the same sex and that wasn't even yes on 8's fault.
You are sadly uninformed about the rights of marriage vs the rights of civil unions. Please do a little more homework. And if they WERE the same, why can't they be called the same thing? Because this is an issue of bigotry as well as rights.
Civil unions are indeed equal to marriage statewide. whether or not each state that offers them makes sure they are equal is a whole other matter .The benefits your talking about are based on federal law. even with gay marriage, you would not get those benefits because of DOMA. so its a redherring and has been ever sense the No On Campaign brought it up.
Besides, We can always make sure that civil unions have all the same rights down the future without having to redefining marriage for everyone
Fortsmith, you a fighting the losing battle of dogma vs. civil rights where dogma cannot prevail. I understand your view of marriage and that it is a religious ritual but this community and it's sympathizer's/supporters along with the many americans already against religious dogma and all for freedom cannot be ignored. But its not just a religious deal anymore. My mother and her partner cant even sign their names on a house deed. They are missing out on freedoms that others take for granted
not because she has done anything wrong but because, for some reason, the church and government have entangled themselves in some counter-reason anti-constitutional force that gets in the way of a tax paying american's rights. This is not acceptable. Regardless of your views and your religion this country is a country of freedom before it is the country of "god" and freedom will prevail.
Didn't Barack Obama repeatedly state during his campaign that he was against gay marriage?
Also, the Obama Administration recently filed a motion to dismiss a suit to repeal DOMA. Doesn't that affirm his stance against gay marriage?
I like your idea about having civil unions be the norm, and let people who want to get married do so within the privacy/confines/whatever of their religions. That makes a lot of sense, and even my humble intellect can understand that.
Obama said many times during the campaign said he would repeal DOMA and DADT but has changed his position on both and began defending these policies IN FACT the most recent statements from the admin compare homosexuality to incest
No I'm just saying that if it is a same sex marriage call it something else. My religion does not recognize same sex marriages. Do you want gay marriage to be recognized by the Christian religion? It sounds like you want rights not religous acceptance. So call it civil union and then there's no problem.
if there is a religious component to marriage then it should be separated from from government and all relationships be given civil union status, the point is equality,hetero and homo should have teh same name and the same legal status.
There is only one definition of marriage, and that is a legal document notarized by the government. Religion is not and never has been connected to the formal contract agreement.
Yes, but as a Christian I have a different definition. Mine is a religious one. I am not alone in my belief. I wish you no harm but will stand by my belief and say that marriage is between a man and a woman.
fortsmith1, you can believe what you want ... and that is the point. You chose your religion. I don't judge you for being Christian as that is your choice. Just don't try to recruit me. Familiar?
Your definitions have no merit with the word "Christian" in them. People like you need to grasp that a marriage certificate is nothing but a formal document for two taxpaying adults in one dwelling. That's it. You choose to celebrate the union any way you wish. No church required.
@SamHarrisCOM Also, we have separation of church and state. I know straight couples who have gotten justice of the peace weddings, and never had any sort of religious ceremony. The religious aspect of marriage is optional, not a requirement. What gay people want is the legal aspect of it. I know opponents of gay marriage have said it will threaten religious freedom, but that's simply not true.
Nor are the best arguments against redefining marriage, as espoused by such people as Dennis Prager and Michael Medved. Males and females are profoundly different, and acknowleging that a male/female union is distinct from a same-sex union is not bigotry. We still have separate but equal in this country when it comes to male/female matters, and this is a male/female matter. This is a purely secular argument, as are the best arguments against, say, abortion or the death penalty.
I don't think there should be a legal issue just don't call it marriage. Changing the meaning of marriage is asking me to compromise my religious beliefs.
Fortsmith, are you suggesting that Federal & State governments should violate the long constitutionally held separation between church and state and validate YOUR religion's marriages while dismissing those marriages (called marriage) between same sex couples performed by other religions (including some Christian denominations), simultaneously violating the 14th Amendment which provides for equal protection under the law to ALL American citizens? That's what it sounds like what you are saying.
Separation of Church and State! If you can find someone legally able to perform a marriage ceremony it should be legal. wheather the couple is gay or straight it shouldn't matter and should be legal. Local, State & Fed Gov should stay out of it. Issues like this is why I'm athiest. I'm not blinded by faith & ignorance of Christianity, the cause of bigotry towards minorities. I can accept and respect those who are different.
I absolutely think that from a legal/governmetnal perspective, civil unions are the way to go. If two people want to partake in the religious celebration of their union privately, then they should be free to do so.
If the government want to be in the marriage business, then everyone should have an equal right to marry.
your living a lie, read romans. I like your idea about civil unions being legal throughout the country then churches that have exchanged the truth for a lie can marry you if they want.Would you try and force a christian adoption agency to let you adopt a child or would you go through the government? The issue with christian adoption agencies is that some of the parents might have requested their child go to a traditional christian home with heterosexual parents.
I am not sure you heard the message clearly. Please go back and listen. It wasn't about gay people getting married by a church, it was about ALL people being married by churches, but the legal rights come from and universal civil union for ALL people. Since the word "marriage" seems to be the hang up and not the rights, as so many say. And by the way, our birth mother chose US because of the foundation of our relationship. You don't speak from education or experience.
I have a question, and I know this sounds dumb but what was that pretty piano piece accompanying the protest shots? Just curious..it was very nice.
BTW I agree with all that you said. The idea that people would vote to deny my brother the right to marry or adopt kids if he chose to is sickening and scary. We'll keep up the fight!
While I felt depressed as hell when Prop 8 passed I think, ultimately, it is a good thing. Putting it in the hands of the state supreme court will have a lot of weight when it is categorically found unconstitutional. In the long run, it will be a big win.
I don't think it's ever a good thing when popular vote determines anyone's rights. But I agree that this will become a Federal issue in our lifetime. I am afraid that the Supreme Court, however, will NOT overturn this again. I think it will come back up for vote in 2010 and we will win.
This is just great! I love Obama! He pwns right-winged fundamentalist ass! XD
I know it's hard to be intolerant to the intolerant, but we all have to open our minds.
This video is truly inspirational, especially seeing the rally! Brought tears to my eye. <333
I hope all of you people in America finally come to an agreement and let religion become a way of teaching everyone to love again rather than hate. :3 <3333333
Of course! I definitely think that religion should stay thousands of MILES away from government. Even if politicians and what not are christian, they should keep their beleifs to themselves rather than letting their religion become top priority and discriminate against people.
Though I suppose I was trying to be polite about it that day, but to be honest? I think christianity is a horrible, evil, discriminative religion. It should not go anywhere NEAR the government in that case.
Nice vid completely agree. I am str8, and can't wait for everyone to be treated equally but i am of the uproar from the ignorant and what we may have to do to protect ourselves and our rights.
we have to speak out - that's what we have to do. We have to act. And stand up for what is right for all people. History shows that we DO progress -- all people. Slavery was once condoned in this country (and the bible). We move forward!
I completely agree that marriage in a religious sense should not be a governmental issue, and that civil unions should be the legal norm, with religious marriage as a separate ceremony. If you don't feel comfortable using the word marriage in certain cases, that's fine, just make sure all couples of consenting adults have the same rights.
Thank you Sam, for reminding me to be tolerant of the intolerant. Sometimes it is hard to remember that minds must be opened, not bashed in.
How proud my family is that my cousin Fred P. Hochberg, who made history by being the first openly gay person appointed as a Presidential Cabinet Member (Clinton Admin) and was former co-chair of the National Human Rights Campaign, was chosen by Obama to be one of the seven (so far) LGBT people who are part of the transition team that is helping our future President prepare to take charge of the federal government on his inauguration day.
The Constitutional rights of a suspect class such as gay people are protected form majoritarian oppression in spite of any popular public hysteria against them and, we can see this is well established in American stare decisis. Can anyone seriously state that racial desegregation could have been achieved in 1954 by voter referendum as opposed by the land mark Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954)?
Sam: Fla. just overturned the ban on gay adoption they said it was unconstitutional! Just think how many children in foster care will benefit from this. You see Sam, the voice is starting to be heard!
As someone who is only old enough to have voted for president wice, who honestly had to look you up on Wikipedia to find out who you were since I was not born until 1985, I can tell you with certainty that my generation will not stand for bigotry, discrimination, and inequality. Prop 8 will seen in history as we now view Plessy vs. Ferguson. Your video is really inspiring and I hope I can soon be proud to call myself a Californian once again.
What a great comment. thank you. We are all counting on your generation to put discrimination to bed once and for all. It is a long road - but we are so so much further thanks to you and those like you
I see no reason to tolerate bigotry, which is what Prop 8 is, was & always will be. When people seek to deny others the same rights that they take for granted, there's a serious problem in how we relate to each other as human beings. As an African-American, I'm especially embarrassed that so many of "my people" took pleasure in doing to others what was once done to us. That will, forever, paint us as hypocrites whenever we complain about discrimination, no matter how justified the complaint.
Sam (can I call you Sam?). I have a confession. When I clicked on your original Prop 8 vid I didn't have a clue who you were. As you age, your Zeitgeist is the first thing to go. I only knew that you articulated exactly how my husband and I were feeling. That moment we were robbed of our Barack Obama celebration, looking at the people in the grocery store with a new eye. I've spent some time getting to know who you are and I take my hat off to you and wish your family well.
i'm a black man & i con honestly say that i'm ashamed of my sisters & brothers (white, black, hispanic, asian, arab, etc.) that would vote against other people's human rights
I am strongly in favor of same sex couples having the same legal rights as heterosexual couples. However, I do not see the need to change the definition of the word marriage when a Civil Union can easily be recognized as a gay marriage. I wish you the best.
I know this has been so hard for you Sam. I have so many friends that this affected. We are all equal and we are all the same. Your family is wonderful and valid and forever. I know heterosexual couples that are awful parents and awful spouses. That's not a threat to society? Raising kids by two screwed up people is ok because they are straight? YUCK. I will stand up and fight with everyone for this to be overturned. Blessed be!
And gay people can't be screwed up? I understand the need for equal rights; were I American, I would have voted against the proposition because I believe everyone should have the right to marry, no matter their "status."
I do think that people who have families and get married should do it for the right reasons, but we're all human. There's going to be some difference, but I think there are just as many problematic gays as there are great people.
seriously did I say gay people can't be screwed up? obviously you drew your own conclusion from my comment. There are problematic people all over no matter what their preference. I have no idea what you were getting at with your comment to me, but you are way off base.
Of course there are good and bad people everywhere. But I will tell you that people who jump through all the hoops of adoption or surrogacy (straight or gay) who REALLY want children and didn't just get pregnant, tend to be pretty excellent parents. Not saying others are not, but certainly rights should be afforded to all equally and the government should encourage loving homes for children in need. That is their next agenda you know, taking out children away.
I agree with everything said in this blog EXCEPT the expansion of "hate crimes." Every crime is of "hate." If someone murders, assaults, and/or vandalizes the property of someone, I don't care what their reason was. They committed a crime and deserve to be in jail and/or worse (death penalty in some cases). However, depending on their reasons for their said crimes (usually found in their trial), their treatment in jail should be catered to that. That is how we actually "change" the USA.
Interesting perspective. Every crime is of hate. I believe the reference is to the term "hate crimes" as is legislated. Crimes MOTIVATED by hate, rather than greed, etc. The actual picking out someone because they are a minority and causing them harm or death. They mean crimes motivated by discrimination.
Sorry, yes that is true. I should have clarified that I really "hate" (ha-ha funny me) the idea/legislation of "hate crimes" unless it is an act of discrimination such as it is with Prop 8 or say someone getting a job, etc. When it comes to vandalism and/or violent crime, I believe that is when the legislation goes too far. I don't think it's right that someone gets say 10 years for killing someone on one hand but will get 20 years because the person is a different color or sexual preference.
The real key is education. Without giving out too much of my personal information, I will say that I work for one of the states' DOCs (Department of Corrections) and studies show that it's only through true rehabilitation/education that people/society will change. And with that being said, we don't educate or help people change by calling them "bigots," etc. and demonstrating at their churches. There needs to be constructive dialogue between the many parties involved. God bless.
very well put. Thank you for your insight. Sometimes to be heard, one must march, but I get where you are coming from. Name calling (even if accurate) isn't going to help.
This does affect all of us..I go round and round with my brother in law about what "marriage" is?!! I sure stand up for what I believe in and what is right! I hope to have that with a wonderful woman someday!
( Louise and I have gone our seperate ways ei:"your gals in florida" )
Our long distance..different countries..didn't work out. If only I was a MAN, I could have married her in a second!
So sad. Very long story and my heart is trying to mend.
Thank you Sam. What a beautiful video! It brought tears to my eyes. You know, when I heard Obama's acceptance speech and he specifically mentioned gays and lesbians, I cried too because it was the first time I've felt like I count in this country. The thing a lot of people don't get here is that I don't care about their acceptance (I'm so over that). What I do want is my rights that I deserve as a citizen of this country. I don't care what you call them.
I am glad I watched this. I posted a video asking a question which you answered in this video. I am also happy to hear that Obama's solution is acceptable to you, because it sounds like you get your needs met in a way which does not come at the expense of others. That's real harmony. Great news thank you for sharing it. Cheers!
The law specifically protects those perceived to identify with one gender either way. This perception on the part of those who like to judge and the general public as a whole is one of the rarely spoken of problems within the LGBT community.
And while I cannot speak for the transgendered, as I only have a cousin who is one, and have only known a few drag queens, and a couple of straight crossdressers... I can speak for those who the Unrueh Act was written. There are those "perceived" to be on their way to a sex change in either direction. Gloria Allred used this law on Marinello's Beauty Schools when they wouldn't allow a transgendered person to attend. I went to this same beauty school a few years later...
I also think Sam that those of us who dress "differently" for whatever reason (there are millions of straight crossdressers and also drag queens and those who just use drag as a tool like myself just want to feel safe walking down the street those rare occasions when we do... some of us only do it in movies and want to survive the drive home from the set ... there are all kinds of straight people who are very difficult to look at but no one makes a big deal about them...
What an outstanding video. Thanks for sharing the images with us. It never ceases to amaze me how difficult it is for human beings to be kind to one another.Sad...
i don't understand why people have such a problem with gay couples adopting. i would think that they would think about the children for once, and not themselves. isn't it better for a child to be adopted into a gay family and grow up in a loving home than be raised in an orphanage until they're 18 and then they're on their own? or for a child to be raised in a loving home of a gay couple instead of the home of straight people who r unable to raise that child properly because of their own issues?
Sam it's not about a word, marriage. People use that as a cover to hide their anti-gay bigotry. Whenever gay people's rights are placed on the ballot haterosexuals always vote them down. Doesn't matter if it's marriage or not.
Marriage is it. I will not accept anything else. To accept anything else but marriage would be accepting the oppression gay people have faced for millennia.
Fight for your Constitutional rights. Write Obama and your representatives to protect gay Americans.
People went nuts when marriage licenses were changed to partner A and partner B. Most will not accept any other word than marriage.
What gay people need to do now is contact Obama. Go to the LGBTQ Civil Rights Front blog to see how you can send a postcard to Obama urging him to follow through on his promises.
For the past four days I've been emailing state politicians in New York and Vermont asking them to pass marriage equality. I strongly suggest everyone else do the same.
Alright then Sam. But our gay leaders weren't saying that when the ENDA thing happened. The result would NOT have been equality, thank you Barney Frank. So you're saying then that gays en masse have changed their tune about inclusion of ALL of us, including the transgendered? I mean, I gotta share a letter as it is! I have seen precious few of them out on the protests... perhaps the message to them for so long has been "don't show your face" that they aren't...
La Reina - I admit it's a tough situation. Within the black community there is a hierarchy of color, within the gay community there are exclusions of transgendered. I admit that I have little/no knowledge of the transgendered world. A girl who cut my hair is transgengered and her goal is to "pass" without it being an issue. I have never been a part of what anyone would call a gay community. Never did a bar scene, went to a drag scene, etc. I've mostly been a boring married couple. SO my question
to you IS - while ALL citizens should have equal rights and opportunities, would you say that a large number of transgendered people want to be married, have families, join the PTA, coach little league, etc? PLEASE don't be offended by my ignorance. Since most gay people are indistinguishable from the rest of society, I am sure there are a lot who are afraid of the "different" looking ones scaring the straight population. No t to generalize, but can you speak for the TG population?
First off I wouldn't say most of us are indistinguishable... but we used to be a lot easier to pick out. if you're referring to being in a photograph I might agree somewhat... but as much as gay men would like to think they cannot be picked out its the little things that will give us away. Muscles are a giveaway, an attention to detail, the list goes on and on. Too many men stress about it and end up with internalized homophobia.
I guess it still "close but no cigar" for some, even if all is the same except for the "word" - but that also means its "them" trying to have the last word... if we as a "tribe" can be okay with them having the last word it could work. But we as a "tribe" rarely decide anything en masse due to so many factions within the tribe. We as a "tribe" cannot control loose cannons within the tribe without being willing to all work together. These protests are the first time I have really seen it.
Semantics are unimportant. The goal is the goal. I don't care who thinks they have "the last word." If the result is equality, who cares how we got there?
I was against same sex marriage because I felt the legal paper stood for male female marriage and same sex couples had the same rights with the domestic law rights.I never felt i was better then anyone.but the religious arguement is wrong, peoples faith is wery strong and some would rather die then go against their religion which realy dose't have nothing to do with the laws of the land.every child should have a chance to have a loving family gay or straight.everything will work out.
Oh Sam. I've only just met you through your vlog, but I love you already. Thank you for saying precisely what I thought. I'm very proud to have voted for this fantastic President.
Wow! Obama has exceeded my hopes and expectations - it's mind blowing to see how much of a difference he can make and how quickly. Thank God America got it right - bring on peace and equality for all.
1- The best man at my wedding is homosexual. I consider him my closest friend and I love him as I do my own family.
2- Same sex MARRIAGE is a personal attack on my marriage and family.
3- The gov needs to get out of the marriage business. Marital status should be "don't ask, don't tell" and should not be used in determining benefits and taxes. A persons marital status should not be any business of the gov.
4- Without don't ask don't tell, sexual orientation could be used based on statistics.
Honestinwilkesbarre 4 months ago
1- The best man at my wedding is homosexual. I consider him my closest friend and I love him as I do my own family.
2- Same sex MARRIAGE is a personal attack on my marriage and family.
3- The gov needs to get out of the marriage business. Marital status should be "don't ask, don't tell" and should not be used in determining benefits and taxes. A persons marital status should not be any business of the gov.
4- Without don't ask don't tell, sexual orientation could be used based on statistics.
Honestinwilkesbarre 4 months ago
You've got to be kidding. No society in history has stood for very long once they got heavily into homosexuality. The definition of marriage can not be termed by man and deemed OK. God Himself is the one that instituted marriage when He said that the two become one and this is why a 'man' shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his 'wife.' Jesus said that in the beginning, God created them male and female. He didn't create them Bob and Tom or Mary and Sue.
AndyG792 9 months ago
dont buy products manufactured or created by gays. Thats the only way to destroy this whole gay activism that is funded through these products. Straights just say no to stuff created by gays.
G41MCombo 10 months ago
@G41MCombo bwahahahahaaha! Best. hate. comment. ever.
SamHarrisCOM 9 months ago 6
@SamHarrisCOM Don't listen to these stupid homophobes mate they don't mind infringing on the rights of gays but if it was the other way round they would bitch and moan about it for everyone to hear. I am not gay but I have friends who are and it is sickening to know that homophobia and inequality still exist in the 21th century keep up the fight and maybe one day knowledge and compassion and respect will overturn ignorance and prejudice
TheXman300 9 months ago
@SamHarrisCOM Don't listen to these stupid homophobes mate they don't mind infringing on the rights of gays but if it was the other way round they would bitch and moan about it for everyone to hear. I am not gay but I have friends who are and it is sickening to know that homophobia and inequality still exist in the 21th century keep up the fight and maybe one day knowledge and compassion and respect will overturn ignorance and prejudice
TheXman300 9 months ago
Don't listen to these stupid homophobes mate they don't mind infringing on the rights of gays but if it was the other way round they would bitch and moan about it for everyone to hear. I am not gay but I have friends who are and it is sickening to know that homophobia and inequality still exist in the 21th century keep up the fight and maybe one day knowledge and compassion and respect will overturn ignorance and prejudice
TheXman300 9 months ago
The problem is the cancer of religion and religious dogma. People who take their holy books seriously have a severely impeded view of the world and are unable to separate the supernatural bullshit from reality and the reality of suffering that their religious dogma has on those around them. It is time we started ridiculing the whole idea of religion and remove it from its pedestal in our society. The whole idea of homophobia is exclusively religious and it should not be protected.
lizichell2 1 year ago
@lizichell2 Boy are you twisted. we are not the ones that are hurting society. But, the bible has predicted times like this one we are in and I read the last book. We are victorious in the end. Stop listening to the evil one and turn your heart towards God as He paid the price for your sin as well as mine.
AndyG792 9 months ago
The arguement over gay marriage continues. I personal dont support it and i just find it wrong for people to force me to like gay people, hell i dont force people to like black people. These gay people need to realize that everyone in the world will not like you. Just deal with that, Im not a christan so i dont care about the gay thing going against the god thing. Just stop calling me a bigot because i dont agree with your lifestyle, i think thats so wrong.
mshategays421 1 year ago
@mshategays421 whats soo wrong to you? Straight LOVE the people of the different sex, and gay LOVE the people of the same sex, were not trying to brainwash you to be like us (im gay - 19 yo). All we want is the same equality as you and we are by no mean WRONG people. Just something you should know, when you say you dont like gay people on the internet, be ready to look like a stupid moron and have comments saying it in your face, face it, youre stupid to think like that. (im french by the way)
18Jismal18 1 year ago
@JJRandom1 You're right, that was said when gays were allowed to get married.
thesinkoutlet345 1 year ago
I came out of the closet to my parents last night...
Scared the sh*t out of 'em!
charmander4533 1 year ago
How is this nation free if our citizens don't even have marriage rights?
sandmanhopes 1 year ago 3
We are one step closer to the end of time.
chrisl3698 1 year ago
@chrisl3698 Yes, gay people are destroying the universe by existing. If only they would stop forcing you to have sex with them, then the icebergs would stop melting and Sarah Palin would learn how to use birth control.
-- Sam's Web Guy
SamHarrisCOM 1 year ago 21
@SamHarrisCOM Correct. But they are destroying the earth not the universe.
chrisl3698 1 year ago
@chrisl3698 r the daleks coming?
MamaMario13 11 months ago
Those people who deny rights to others should not be afforded the same.
bpwaddell 1 year ago
I don't get why there are EVEN disputes about this, seriously does no one ,who argue against gays,known the SEPARATION of church-state clause of the constitution? Obviously MARRIAGE is by definition a religious ceremony therefore to deny any such person the right to be legally recognized as a union, based on RELIGIOUS views is not only a violation of the said clause but also an affront to the notion civil and personal liberties so treasured by the people of the UNITED states of America.
ragnarocks0 1 year ago
They beilieve the planets 6000 years old, once you believe that nonsense anything is reasonable. That's off by seven magnitudes, in other words their understanding of reality is so skewed that anything they say or believe is totally worthless.
JamesThWilliams 1 year ago
Taxes are not based on you getting what you want. IF you live in America and enjoy the conveniences and protection afforded by living here, you pay taxes. Law is dictated by majority, for the benefit of the whole. You have choices and one of them is find another country in which to live. I can point you to several with higher disease, mortality and HIV rates. 48% of HIV infected people in this country are those who are gay or bisexual. That's a BIG red flag right there.
dtracy000 2 years ago
I say give the gays their rights to marry and adopt, let bestiality be legal, legalize any and all drugs, the state seize all farmland with children to be wards of the state and divide remaining families, outlaw free speech and take away all gun rights. Mandatory vaccinations and higher taxes with an abortion clinic on every corner right next to federal grant given liberalized churches. Then at least we can separate the sheeple from who we are and what we believe, then we wait for His coming.
snowfallzz 1 year ago
@snowfallzz Oh goody. Another religious fanatic spewing garbage, comparing people with same-sex attractions to drug addicts. Too bad there is no comparison other than your inability to understand morality without a Bronze Age story book.
xothegirlz 1 year ago
@snowfallzz clearly you do not understand the concept of "consenting adults" and the definition of "civil rights".
SamHarrisCOM 1 year ago 13
@SamHarrisCOM For homosexuals, marriage isn't a right. It's a privilege.
Honestinwilkesbarre 4 months ago
@Honestinwilkesbarre If you are a consenting tax paying adult American, marriage is a right. Period. It is you who is "privileged" if you are given rights that are not equal to every American.
SamHarrisCOM 4 months ago
@snowfallzz What. A. Douche.
IVIaggotx 1 year ago
Yeah, because all gay or bisexual people are total whores.
Colts4859 1 year ago
@dtracy000 should we discuss red flags with religious zealots in history as well as recent and current news?
SamHarrisCOM 1 year ago 6
You say that two consenting adults should be able to become a legally bound and recognized relationship, yet you then go on to qualify it yourself saying that incest isn't also between consenting adults. At what point do we draw the line? Let's remove all discrimination and define it as "any two consenting individuals"? Even you have a limit, at what point can we draw that line?
dtracy000 2 years ago
Incest actually causes harm, bisexual, and homosexual relationships do not, you have zero proof that they do so fuck off don't talk you have zero to contribute.
JamesThWilliams 1 year ago
@as1989100: and if it is a choice, SO WHAT? it is not any less legitimate and a decent person should respect it anyway.
auriciangelescu 2 years ago
Like ALL Demopubs, Obama is a Nazi fascist suck-up. Reagan and Bushes and Clinton were all a bunch of rightwing ultraconservatives who destroyed society and this country because they are subhuman trash, worse than the 911 hijackers who at least had balls. Obama like all Demopubs never did a hard day of work in his life and never accomplished anything.
Only when Obama and all Demopubs are forced out and replaced by Greens, Socialists & Libertarians will gays get equal rights.
duck24x 2 years ago
I'm not sure Obama is what you say, he isn't able to accomplish what needs to be done because of the position he is in and because of the people who actually control things.
JamesThWilliams 1 year ago
I am not sure what you mean. If the President of the USA cannot make a law happen, then who else can? Nobody. There is no other person in charge of "gay laws". Bottom line: Obama, like ALL Republicrats, are subhuman trash. Killing them by forcing them to drink bleach is no more morally wrong than murdering bacteria, because Demopubs are not sentient beings. They do not have any mental capacity.
How would anyone KNOW that pouring bleach down Demopubs' throats has any negative effect?
duck24x 1 year ago
The president cannot bring laws into being on his own, he needs the support of Congress, and the Senate. I'm a Canadian and I know this why don't you?
JamesThWilliams 1 year ago
If any person is denied equal rights just because they are gay, then they should stop paying taxes.
As long as tax collectors are peaceful, then tax collectors should have the right to protest.
But if tax collectors try to steal gays' money, then force them to drink bleach and blow their brains out with a gun.
But first ask the tax collectors this:
Is it right to use terrorism and violent force to blow up the homes and to kidnap people just because they won't let you steal their money?
duck24x 2 years ago
i love clicking spam on ignorant ppl's comments ^_^
it makes my day...PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHAT LIFE THEY WANT TO LIVE AND WHO THEY WANT TO BE WITH!!!
BrokenRose1 2 years ago
@dtracy000: What you have just said disgusts me, and is just NOT RIGHT. What about mother/daughter, father/son, and brother/brother? If incestuous people get rights, then so should incestuous gay people.
@lenny1114: Correct, all gay people do die. So will you. You are gay. wat?
AStupidNewb 2 years ago
If you attempt to define a homosexual relationship as a full marriage, then you should also support incestual relationships such as mother/son, father/daughter and brother/sister and similar. If you support legalization of homosexual relationships, you should be sure that you support incest, because it would be next.
dtracy000 2 years ago
all gay people die mother fuckers
lenny1114 2 years ago
Your a piece of trash. I am not gay, but if I met you I'd knock your face in. There is nothing wrong with gay people and people have the right to pick their sexuality.
masterbrice 2 years ago 9
@lenny1114
Give your reasons why.
TonyKnockOff 2 years ago
Prejudice is not the same as Miscreant ...!
Who do You Want Guard Your Little "Lambs" a Wolf or the Shepard...?
chachapc007 2 years ago
What if the two consenting adults are brothers? What if it's 4 consenting adults? Are you saying the citizens of the United States ought not have any say regarding which relationships are given the state's blessing?
Do you think same sex couples ought to have the same right to adopt children as male-female couples, too? Should fatherlessness and motherlessness be considered as ideal as having both a mother and a father?
Polygamists are not given "equal rights" in the U.S. Do you care?
Gerkinstock 2 years ago
As for all you Christian out there.....what gives you the right to judge other people and there rights.... the Bible states that only God and Jesus can judge... he love us all and mades us this way for a reason....
mcoguy4u 2 years ago 2
While God & Jesus are judges, they are not here to reign over the affairs of man. We must do that on our own, with the best judgement we can. That judgement should be based on reason and history. If you consider the bible at all, then you should consider what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah. Even so, I have the right, even a responsibility, to judge those that I would allow in my home, around my family, and to other extents.
dtracy000 2 years ago
No you and that fairy story is a pile of bullshit so high it's laughable.
JamesThWilliams 1 year ago
NO!!!!
wuzzupie 2 years ago
I do believe in equal rights for homosexuals under civil unions. I don't like it to be called marriage, and after watching the interview of barack obama on gay marriage, and seeing it come from his own lips (available here on youtube under barack obama on gay marriage) that he's for civil unions with equal rights, I'm quite satisfied with that.
lisarp03 2 years ago
>.>
I think this is a different Sam Harris.
That being said, I completely agree on all points!
hal970fx 2 years ago
hi, i'm doing a report for school about same sex marriage, and i would like to know if u can refer me to any good informational web sites that have correct information. i'm For same sex marriage. i just dont want to be uneducated about it trying to persuade my class that there is nothing wrong with same sex marriage. i even got a comment from a girl saying "God created Adam & Eve, not Adam & Steve."
so i just need some good references please..thanks
ladysyco 2 years ago
(1) Obama said basically nothing about Prop 8.
(2) Obama has defended DOMA with the most viciously homophobic language and reasoning possible.
(3) The DNC ignored the Question 1 fight in Maine, even while asking Maine voters to support Corzine in the NJ governor's race.
I'm trying to figure to what happened to our "fierce advocate."
oraclecrank 2 years ago
I am afraid you may be right. We shall see. I still believe he wants to do the right thing. Whether or not he has the guts to stand up for what I hope he believes is another subject. It's strange how people get to power on the the principles of their heart, and often abandon them when their ego takes over and they are afraid of losing their power by alienating some constituents, even if those people are not on the right side of good.
Sam
SamHarrisCOM 2 years ago
They don't let good patriotic gay people into the military, but some crazy jihadie mulism psychos are ok???.............is this country ass backwards???
moderndesignworks 2 years ago 4
We're scared of things that are different, so we don't allow gays in the military.
Prop 8 isn't an issue of protecting marriage, because marriage is a worthless institution. It's an issue of bigotry. If 2 gays married, who does it hurt and how? If I was married, and I had 2 gay men who were married next door, I wouldn't care because it's not hurting my marriage.
CapitalistOverlord 2 years ago 2
Many religions in California still proudly perform same sex weddings.
No government can stop that, and everyone will have Equality soon.
Equality is an American Value.
theknowbody 2 years ago 3
So can I merry my brother? Why not? I love him...
meriageorgia 2 years ago
I think your mother already married hers.
oraclecrank 2 years ago 3
You can merry him. And happy him and joyous him. But can you spell with him? THAT is the question.
Sam
SamHarrisCOM 2 years ago
@meriageorgia That's one of my favorite anti-gay arguments, because it is one of the most ridiculous ones.
xothegirlz 1 year ago
Prop 8 did not take away existing fundamental constitution rights or the legal rights that come with marriage. those judges made up those rights out of nothing and prop 8 had no effect on civil unions provided there. the only thing that prop 8 took away were additional marriage rights to marry someone of the same sex and that wasn't even yes on 8's fault.
kenballer00 2 years ago
You are sadly uninformed about the rights of marriage vs the rights of civil unions. Please do a little more homework. And if they WERE the same, why can't they be called the same thing? Because this is an issue of bigotry as well as rights.
Sam
SamHarrisCOM 2 years ago
Civil unions are indeed equal to marriage statewide. whether or not each state that offers them makes sure they are equal is a whole other matter .The benefits your talking about are based on federal law. even with gay marriage, you would not get those benefits because of DOMA. so its a redherring and has been ever sense the No On Campaign brought it up.
Besides, We can always make sure that civil unions have all the same rights down the future without having to redefining marriage for everyone
kenballer00 2 years ago
Fortsmith, you a fighting the losing battle of dogma vs. civil rights where dogma cannot prevail. I understand your view of marriage and that it is a religious ritual but this community and it's sympathizer's/supporters along with the many americans already against religious dogma and all for freedom cannot be ignored. But its not just a religious deal anymore. My mother and her partner cant even sign their names on a house deed. They are missing out on freedoms that others take for granted
uberspider001 2 years ago 2
not because she has done anything wrong but because, for some reason, the church and government have entangled themselves in some counter-reason anti-constitutional force that gets in the way of a tax paying american's rights. This is not acceptable. Regardless of your views and your religion this country is a country of freedom before it is the country of "god" and freedom will prevail.
uberspider001 2 years ago 4
I'm confused.
Didn't Barack Obama repeatedly state during his campaign that he was against gay marriage?
Also, the Obama Administration recently filed a motion to dismiss a suit to repeal DOMA. Doesn't that affirm his stance against gay marriage?
I like your idea about having civil unions be the norm, and let people who want to get married do so within the privacy/confines/whatever of their religions. That makes a lot of sense, and even my humble intellect can understand that.
JackHammer2000 2 years ago
Obama said many times during the campaign said he would repeal DOMA and DADT but has changed his position on both and began defending these policies IN FACT the most recent statements from the admin compare homosexuality to incest
mjthree45242 2 years ago
No I'm just saying that if it is a same sex marriage call it something else. My religion does not recognize same sex marriages. Do you want gay marriage to be recognized by the Christian religion? It sounds like you want rights not religous acceptance. So call it civil union and then there's no problem.
fortsmith1 2 years ago
if there is a religious component to marriage then it should be separated from from government and all relationships be given civil union status, the point is equality,hetero and homo should have teh same name and the same legal status.
mjthree45242 2 years ago 2
I will have to say at this point that my beliefs and my defintion of marriage will remain unchanged. No hard feelings and good luck to all.
fortsmith1 2 years ago
There is only one definition of marriage, and that is a legal document notarized by the government. Religion is not and never has been connected to the formal contract agreement.
LickMyBabyBack 2 years ago 2
If that be the case then the goverment needs to change the definition. Otherwise the fight goes on.
fortsmith1 2 years ago
the governments definition of marriage is not a religious one.
SamHarrisCOM 2 years ago
Yes, but as a Christian I have a different definition. Mine is a religious one. I am not alone in my belief. I wish you no harm but will stand by my belief and say that marriage is between a man and a woman.
fortsmith1 2 years ago
Well since we aren't talking about your religious defination, why do you care?
cryan71 2 years ago
fortsmith1, you can believe what you want ... and that is the point. You chose your religion. I don't judge you for being Christian as that is your choice. Just don't try to recruit me. Familiar?
Your definitions have no merit with the word "Christian" in them. People like you need to grasp that a marriage certificate is nothing but a formal document for two taxpaying adults in one dwelling. That's it. You choose to celebrate the union any way you wish. No church required.
Sam's web guy
SamHarrisCOM 2 years ago
@SamHarrisCOM Also, we have separation of church and state. I know straight couples who have gotten justice of the peace weddings, and never had any sort of religious ceremony. The religious aspect of marriage is optional, not a requirement. What gay people want is the legal aspect of it. I know opponents of gay marriage have said it will threaten religious freedom, but that's simply not true.
xothegirlz 1 year ago
Nor are the best arguments against redefining marriage, as espoused by such people as Dennis Prager and Michael Medved. Males and females are profoundly different, and acknowleging that a male/female union is distinct from a same-sex union is not bigotry. We still have separate but equal in this country when it comes to male/female matters, and this is a male/female matter. This is a purely secular argument, as are the best arguments against, say, abortion or the death penalty.
Gerkinstock 2 years ago
mjthree45242, I for one would love to see the proof or link to such a "fact". If it came from your ass, no need to post.
LickMyBabyBack 2 years ago
you are my hero
legit4it 2 years ago
Try having a Hindu marriage, >.>.
Anyway, recent polling shows that if there's another vote, voters will outstandingly vote against Proposition 8. So good luck!
nafaidni 2 years ago
I don't think there should be a legal issue just don't call it marriage. Changing the meaning of marriage is asking me to compromise my religious beliefs.
fortsmith1 2 years ago
fortsmith1, since anyone can get married without any attachment of religion, your religious beliefs are irrelevant.
Religion is a choice.
SamHarrisCOM 2 years ago
Fortsmith, are you suggesting that Federal & State governments should violate the long constitutionally held separation between church and state and validate YOUR religion's marriages while dismissing those marriages (called marriage) between same sex couples performed by other religions (including some Christian denominations), simultaneously violating the 14th Amendment which provides for equal protection under the law to ALL American citizens? That's what it sounds like what you are saying.
EmeraldView 2 years ago 3
But when, Sam? When? We just lost again. Gotta still fight, even when you're bleeding. I'll just wear a red dress going into the fray.
Sam, we both want the same thing, you are a lot closer to it than I will ever be. But our methods and roads are different. Very different.
LaReinaDelBarrio 2 years ago
OMG you have a youtube!. I saw you on Tyra . You're awesome ! and congrats on you and your husband and that kid that you're raising.
jenzieX3 2 years ago
Marriage Oh, the horror!
liveletlive99 2 years ago
DITTO... to what is writen below!
alixsb 2 years ago
Wow.. I didn't know all this that Obama is supporting for the lgbt community... now I admire and respect him a whole lot more than I already did.
astoria30001 2 years ago 3
Separation of Church and State! If you can find someone legally able to perform a marriage ceremony it should be legal. wheather the couple is gay or straight it shouldn't matter and should be legal. Local, State & Fed Gov should stay out of it. Issues like this is why I'm athiest. I'm not blinded by faith & ignorance of Christianity, the cause of bigotry towards minorities. I can accept and respect those who are different.
trknadam 2 years ago 7
wow finally... you're the first gay person other than myself who actually realizes that individuality is an issue, rather than grouping all gays.
TheRandomnessfactor 2 years ago
I absolutely think that from a legal/governmetnal perspective, civil unions are the way to go. If two people want to partake in the religious celebration of their union privately, then they should be free to do so.
If the government want to be in the marriage business, then everyone should have an equal right to marry.
eunicron 2 years ago
your living a lie, read romans. I like your idea about civil unions being legal throughout the country then churches that have exchanged the truth for a lie can marry you if they want.Would you try and force a christian adoption agency to let you adopt a child or would you go through the government? The issue with christian adoption agencies is that some of the parents might have requested their child go to a traditional christian home with heterosexual parents.
actheaterstudent 3 years ago
AC
I am not sure you heard the message clearly. Please go back and listen. It wasn't about gay people getting married by a church, it was about ALL people being married by churches, but the legal rights come from and universal civil union for ALL people. Since the word "marriage" seems to be the hang up and not the rights, as so many say. And by the way, our birth mother chose US because of the foundation of our relationship. You don't speak from education or experience.
S
SamHarrisCOM 2 years ago
Just because you don't get married in a church does'nt mean it's not true.
Your a shithead.
setustraight 2 years ago
PRISIDENT Barack Obama is awsome ...lets give him 2 terms ok
andytrixie 3 years ago 3
I have a question, and I know this sounds dumb but what was that pretty piano piece accompanying the protest shots? Just curious..it was very nice.
BTW I agree with all that you said. The idea that people would vote to deny my brother the right to marry or adopt kids if he chose to is sickening and scary. We'll keep up the fight!
JanesCalamity 3 years ago 2
While I felt depressed as hell when Prop 8 passed I think, ultimately, it is a good thing. Putting it in the hands of the state supreme court will have a lot of weight when it is categorically found unconstitutional. In the long run, it will be a big win.
jlewis300 3 years ago
I disagree. Is it a good thing that a similar majority can vote away the rights of a minority?
gaysRppl2 3 years ago
lewis
I don't think it's ever a good thing when popular vote determines anyone's rights. But I agree that this will become a Federal issue in our lifetime. I am afraid that the Supreme Court, however, will NOT overturn this again. I think it will come back up for vote in 2010 and we will win.
SamHarrisCOM 2 years ago
This is just great! I love Obama! He pwns right-winged fundamentalist ass! XD
I know it's hard to be intolerant to the intolerant, but we all have to open our minds.
This video is truly inspirational, especially seeing the rally! Brought tears to my eye. <333
I hope all of you people in America finally come to an agreement and let religion become a way of teaching everyone to love again rather than hate. :3 <3333333
NikiPaprika 3 years ago
niki
how about that religion has no place in government at all - no matter what it teaches.
S
SamHarrisCOM 2 years ago
Of course! I definitely think that religion should stay thousands of MILES away from government. Even if politicians and what not are christian, they should keep their beleifs to themselves rather than letting their religion become top priority and discriminate against people.
Though I suppose I was trying to be polite about it that day, but to be honest? I think christianity is a horrible, evil, discriminative religion. It should not go anywhere NEAR the government in that case.
NikiPaprika 2 years ago 2
oh, and hope you have a nice valentines day. XD <333
NikiPaprika 2 years ago
Thank you, Sam. As a member of the straight community, I feel you on this.
We need to get involved.
42662113 3 years ago 4
42
Thank you
The future is counting on you!
S
SamHarrisCOM 2 years ago
oops, afraid of the uproar.
babner 3 years ago
Nice vid completely agree. I am str8, and can't wait for everyone to be treated equally but i am of the uproar from the ignorant and what we may have to do to protect ourselves and our rights.
babner 3 years ago
babner
we have to speak out - that's what we have to do. We have to act. And stand up for what is right for all people. History shows that we DO progress -- all people. Slavery was once condoned in this country (and the bible). We move forward!
S
SamHarrisCOM 2 years ago
I completely agree that marriage in a religious sense should not be a governmental issue, and that civil unions should be the legal norm, with religious marriage as a separate ceremony. If you don't feel comfortable using the word marriage in certain cases, that's fine, just make sure all couples of consenting adults have the same rights.
Thank you Sam, for reminding me to be tolerant of the intolerant. Sometimes it is hard to remember that minds must be opened, not bashed in.
notthatbasic 3 years ago
nothat
How well you wrote the entire idea. Very clear.
Thank you
S
SamHarrisCOM 2 years ago
gay people arnt too smart are they? strait people know better for themselfs
dont ask the goverment for marriage just go with it if thats what you want... sorry morons :(
GORDUn3 3 years ago
GORDUn3, thanks for the laugh. I sure hope it was a joke though!
BTW, you spelled "mormons" incorrectly too.
SamHarrisCOM 3 years ago
How proud my family is that my cousin Fred P. Hochberg, who made history by being the first openly gay person appointed as a Presidential Cabinet Member (Clinton Admin) and was former co-chair of the National Human Rights Campaign, was chosen by Obama to be one of the seven (so far) LGBT people who are part of the transition team that is helping our future President prepare to take charge of the federal government on his inauguration day.
Fred will make our country and the world proud.
OneoftheImmortals 3 years ago
Sam: I SO hope, that Barack REALLY does what he promised !!
Then the future doesn't look so bleak for Gays anymore. ;-))
You are such a sweety, and I wish you and your FAMILY all the best in the world !!!
*hugs*
panthera50 3 years ago
The Constitutional rights of a suspect class such as gay people are protected form majoritarian oppression in spite of any popular public hysteria against them and, we can see this is well established in American stare decisis. Can anyone seriously state that racial desegregation could have been achieved in 1954 by voter referendum as opposed by the land mark Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954)?
DamascusMODEL 3 years ago 5
Sam: Fla. just overturned the ban on gay adoption they said it was unconstitutional! Just think how many children in foster care will benefit from this. You see Sam, the voice is starting to be heard!
HowardThomasWatt 3 years ago 9
howard
This is incredible news. And in FLORIDA! It says a lot.
S
SamHarrisCOM 3 years ago
As someone who is only old enough to have voted for president wice, who honestly had to look you up on Wikipedia to find out who you were since I was not born until 1985, I can tell you with certainty that my generation will not stand for bigotry, discrimination, and inequality. Prop 8 will seen in history as we now view Plessy vs. Ferguson. Your video is really inspiring and I hope I can soon be proud to call myself a Californian once again.
-straight against h8
bedofstars 3 years ago 5
bedofstars
What a great comment. thank you. We are all counting on your generation to put discrimination to bed once and for all. It is a long road - but we are so so much further thanks to you and those like you
S
SamHarrisCOM 3 years ago
You go Sam! Im a Gay Australian here.
brisgay 3 years ago 3
I see no reason to tolerate bigotry, which is what Prop 8 is, was & always will be. When people seek to deny others the same rights that they take for granted, there's a serious problem in how we relate to each other as human beings. As an African-American, I'm especially embarrassed that so many of "my people" took pleasure in doing to others what was once done to us. That will, forever, paint us as hypocrites whenever we complain about discrimination, no matter how justified the complaint.
StephanAOTTO1 3 years ago 4
Sam (can I call you Sam?). I have a confession. When I clicked on your original Prop 8 vid I didn't have a clue who you were. As you age, your Zeitgeist is the first thing to go. I only knew that you articulated exactly how my husband and I were feeling. That moment we were robbed of our Barack Obama celebration, looking at the people in the grocery store with a new eye. I've spent some time getting to know who you are and I take my hat off to you and wish your family well.
Steven
Steveningen 3 years ago 4
i'm a black man & i con honestly say that i'm ashamed of my sisters & brothers (white, black, hispanic, asian, arab, etc.) that would vote against other people's human rights
upabittoolate 3 years ago 4
upabittoolate - I'm so sorry, I accidentally hit the thumbs down button on you. Big Green Thumb!
Steveningen 3 years ago
I am strongly in favor of same sex couples having the same legal rights as heterosexual couples. However, I do not see the need to change the definition of the word marriage when a Civil Union can easily be recognized as a gay marriage. I wish you the best.
IronythatisLife 3 years ago
Bravo Barrack !
rick33323 3 years ago 2
You are beautiful, smart, well spoken. I would be proud (& lucky) to have you as a dad or mom. Love you.
amynick 3 years ago 3
it's amazing people will even vote for discrimination and bigotry.
halenharris 3 years ago 5
it is the young people who will change this. A new generation of equality. Glad you are doing your part!
xoxo
S
SamHarrisCOM 3 years ago
is 'don't ask don't tell' an official military policy? i thought it was just an unwritten rule or something
MostDiscusseding 3 years ago
yes it is official.
SamHarrisCOM 3 years ago
I know this has been so hard for you Sam. I have so many friends that this affected. We are all equal and we are all the same. Your family is wonderful and valid and forever. I know heterosexual couples that are awful parents and awful spouses. That's not a threat to society? Raising kids by two screwed up people is ok because they are straight? YUCK. I will stand up and fight with everyone for this to be overturned. Blessed be!
mindya12 3 years ago 5
And gay people can't be screwed up? I understand the need for equal rights; were I American, I would have voted against the proposition because I believe everyone should have the right to marry, no matter their "status."
I do think that people who have families and get married should do it for the right reasons, but we're all human. There's going to be some difference, but I think there are just as many problematic gays as there are great people.
AubinMagnus 3 years ago
seriously did I say gay people can't be screwed up? obviously you drew your own conclusion from my comment. There are problematic people all over no matter what their preference. I have no idea what you were getting at with your comment to me, but you are way off base.
mindya12 3 years ago
Of course there are good and bad people everywhere. But I will tell you that people who jump through all the hoops of adoption or surrogacy (straight or gay) who REALLY want children and didn't just get pregnant, tend to be pretty excellent parents. Not saying others are not, but certainly rights should be afforded to all equally and the government should encourage loving homes for children in need. That is their next agenda you know, taking out children away.
SamHarrisCOM 3 years ago
I agree with everything said in this blog EXCEPT the expansion of "hate crimes." Every crime is of "hate." If someone murders, assaults, and/or vandalizes the property of someone, I don't care what their reason was. They committed a crime and deserve to be in jail and/or worse (death penalty in some cases). However, depending on their reasons for their said crimes (usually found in their trial), their treatment in jail should be catered to that. That is how we actually "change" the USA.
TDBrkic 3 years ago
TD
Interesting perspective. Every crime is of hate. I believe the reference is to the term "hate crimes" as is legislated. Crimes MOTIVATED by hate, rather than greed, etc. The actual picking out someone because they are a minority and causing them harm or death. They mean crimes motivated by discrimination.
SamHarrisCOM 3 years ago
Sorry, yes that is true. I should have clarified that I really "hate" (ha-ha funny me) the idea/legislation of "hate crimes" unless it is an act of discrimination such as it is with Prop 8 or say someone getting a job, etc. When it comes to vandalism and/or violent crime, I believe that is when the legislation goes too far. I don't think it's right that someone gets say 10 years for killing someone on one hand but will get 20 years because the person is a different color or sexual preference.
TDBrkic 3 years ago
The real key is education. Without giving out too much of my personal information, I will say that I work for one of the states' DOCs (Department of Corrections) and studies show that it's only through true rehabilitation/education that people/society will change. And with that being said, we don't educate or help people change by calling them "bigots," etc. and demonstrating at their churches. There needs to be constructive dialogue between the many parties involved. God bless.
TDBrkic 3 years ago 4
TD
very well put. Thank you for your insight. Sometimes to be heard, one must march, but I get where you are coming from. Name calling (even if accurate) isn't going to help.
SamHarrisCOM 3 years ago
Hi Sam,
This does affect all of us..I go round and round with my brother in law about what "marriage" is?!! I sure stand up for what I believe in and what is right! I hope to have that with a wonderful woman someday!
( Louise and I have gone our seperate ways ei:"your gals in florida" )
Our long distance..different countries..didn't work out. If only I was a MAN, I could have married her in a second!
So sad. Very long story and my heart is trying to mend.
Love you Sam!
Angie
angieros 3 years ago
Thank you Sam. What a beautiful video! It brought tears to my eyes. You know, when I heard Obama's acceptance speech and he specifically mentioned gays and lesbians, I cried too because it was the first time I've felt like I count in this country. The thing a lot of people don't get here is that I don't care about their acceptance (I'm so over that). What I do want is my rights that I deserve as a citizen of this country. I don't care what you call them.
SabatoTRL 3 years ago 2
Sam, if you think you can trust what a politician says to you, or writes somewhere, my heart goes out to you.
bobmccollar 3 years ago
bob
oh but I do.
With this one, I do.
And I will choose hope and belief over cynicism whenever I get the chance. Such a better view.
S
SamHarrisCOM 3 years ago
I am glad I watched this. I posted a video asking a question which you answered in this video. I am also happy to hear that Obama's solution is acceptable to you, because it sounds like you get your needs met in a way which does not come at the expense of others. That's real harmony. Great news thank you for sharing it. Cheers!
NLPNVC 3 years ago
The law specifically protects those perceived to identify with one gender either way. This perception on the part of those who like to judge and the general public as a whole is one of the rarely spoken of problems within the LGBT community.
LaReinaDelBarrio 3 years ago
And while I cannot speak for the transgendered, as I only have a cousin who is one, and have only known a few drag queens, and a couple of straight crossdressers... I can speak for those who the Unrueh Act was written. There are those "perceived" to be on their way to a sex change in either direction. Gloria Allred used this law on Marinello's Beauty Schools when they wouldn't allow a transgendered person to attend. I went to this same beauty school a few years later...
LaReinaDelBarrio 3 years ago
I also think Sam that those of us who dress "differently" for whatever reason (there are millions of straight crossdressers and also drag queens and those who just use drag as a tool like myself just want to feel safe walking down the street those rare occasions when we do... some of us only do it in movies and want to survive the drive home from the set ... there are all kinds of straight people who are very difficult to look at but no one makes a big deal about them...
LaReinaDelBarrio 3 years ago
What an outstanding video. Thanks for sharing the images with us. It never ceases to amaze me how difficult it is for human beings to be kind to one another.Sad...
bcdoula 3 years ago 2
i don't understand why people have such a problem with gay couples adopting. i would think that they would think about the children for once, and not themselves. isn't it better for a child to be adopted into a gay family and grow up in a loving home than be raised in an orphanage until they're 18 and then they're on their own? or for a child to be raised in a loving home of a gay couple instead of the home of straight people who r unable to raise that child properly because of their own issues?
geese23 3 years ago
Sam it's not about a word, marriage. People use that as a cover to hide their anti-gay bigotry. Whenever gay people's rights are placed on the ballot haterosexuals always vote them down. Doesn't matter if it's marriage or not.
Marriage is it. I will not accept anything else. To accept anything else but marriage would be accepting the oppression gay people have faced for millennia.
Fight for your Constitutional rights. Write Obama and your representatives to protect gay Americans.
NOtoPROP8 3 years ago
no
what if NO ONE had the word marriage?
I believe in my vlog I said "as long as it's the same word" I don't care what it is.
SamHarrisCOM 3 years ago
People went nuts when marriage licenses were changed to partner A and partner B. Most will not accept any other word than marriage.
What gay people need to do now is contact Obama. Go to the LGBTQ Civil Rights Front blog to see how you can send a postcard to Obama urging him to follow through on his promises.
For the past four days I've been emailing state politicians in New York and Vermont asking them to pass marriage equality. I strongly suggest everyone else do the same.
NOtoPROP8 3 years ago
Thanks for providing all this valuable information. You're awesome!
urbanwarrior 3 years ago 2
Alright then Sam. But our gay leaders weren't saying that when the ENDA thing happened. The result would NOT have been equality, thank you Barney Frank. So you're saying then that gays en masse have changed their tune about inclusion of ALL of us, including the transgendered? I mean, I gotta share a letter as it is! I have seen precious few of them out on the protests... perhaps the message to them for so long has been "don't show your face" that they aren't...
LaReina DelBarrio
LaReinaDelBarrio 3 years ago
La Reina - I admit it's a tough situation. Within the black community there is a hierarchy of color, within the gay community there are exclusions of transgendered. I admit that I have little/no knowledge of the transgendered world. A girl who cut my hair is transgengered and her goal is to "pass" without it being an issue. I have never been a part of what anyone would call a gay community. Never did a bar scene, went to a drag scene, etc. I've mostly been a boring married couple. SO my question
SamHarrisCOM 3 years ago
to you IS - while ALL citizens should have equal rights and opportunities, would you say that a large number of transgendered people want to be married, have families, join the PTA, coach little league, etc? PLEASE don't be offended by my ignorance. Since most gay people are indistinguishable from the rest of society, I am sure there are a lot who are afraid of the "different" looking ones scaring the straight population. No t to generalize, but can you speak for the TG population?
SamHarrisCOM 3 years ago
First off I wouldn't say most of us are indistinguishable... but we used to be a lot easier to pick out. if you're referring to being in a photograph I might agree somewhat... but as much as gay men would like to think they cannot be picked out its the little things that will give us away. Muscles are a giveaway, an attention to detail, the list goes on and on. Too many men stress about it and end up with internalized homophobia.
LaReinaDelBarrio 3 years ago
I guess it still "close but no cigar" for some, even if all is the same except for the "word" - but that also means its "them" trying to have the last word... if we as a "tribe" can be okay with them having the last word it could work. But we as a "tribe" rarely decide anything en masse due to so many factions within the tribe. We as a "tribe" cannot control loose cannons within the tribe without being willing to all work together. These protests are the first time I have really seen it.
LaReinaDelBarrio 3 years ago
la reina
Semantics are unimportant. The goal is the goal. I don't care who thinks they have "the last word." If the result is equality, who cares how we got there?
SamHarrisCOM 3 years ago
it is a love revolution Sam. Love will prevail.
sparkybennett 3 years ago 3
I was against same sex marriage because I felt the legal paper stood for male female marriage and same sex couples had the same rights with the domestic law rights.I never felt i was better then anyone.but the religious arguement is wrong, peoples faith is wery strong and some would rather die then go against their religion which realy dose't have nothing to do with the laws of the land.every child should have a chance to have a loving family gay or straight.everything will work out.
ohplease18 3 years ago
Oh Sam. I've only just met you through your vlog, but I love you already. Thank you for saying precisely what I thought. I'm very proud to have voted for this fantastic President.
Love beyond your means.
Love more, fear less.
I love you all!
Kizanth 3 years ago 2
Wow! Obama has exceeded my hopes and expectations - it's mind blowing to see how much of a difference he can make and how quickly. Thank God America got it right - bring on peace and equality for all.
MidgeDog 3 years ago 3
Amen, Sam!!! I believe each generation after ours will be more tolerant of one another. This is a beautiful start. xoxo
yayayoga 3 years ago 2
Thank you for sharing your heart. Barack gives me great hope, too.
haywirea 3 years ago 2