I or anyone I know did not choose to be gay. Anyone that thinks someone would choose to be gay with all the societal B.S. that affects us is ignorant.
People were exterminated in Natzi Germany, murdered, assaulted, harassed, put in jail, thrown out of the homes, fired, ostracized by their families and friends...ALL because they were gay. We have come a long way to fight the hate and prejudice and marriage equality is one of the last battles.
"Gay and lesbian people have families, and their families should have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union. A constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages is a form of gay bashing and it would do nothing at all to protect traditional marriages."
The law already grants protections and freedoms equally. Same sex couple are free to enter civil unions by law because by law marriage is between opposite genders for numerous reasons.
I just want to know if I can get a civil union as a straight couple. I don't want anything to do with marriage, except for the financial benefits. And that's all I can see in this debate, is an issue of finance and in that light, I do consider this a civil rights issue. I have seen more happy gay couples, more capable of raising children than dysfunctional straight marriages. This is a non issue, unless you can explain to me how two people of the same sex getting married affects you.
But shouldn't the protections of religious freedom also protect gays and lesbians from your beliefs? The church which I attend does not share your view of homosexual marriage, believing that marriage is a union of two people who love each other, irrespective of gender. But the position of each of our churches is irrelevant, because the issue at hand is civil marriage and the legal protections that accompany that institution.
This video seems to suggest that civil rights are the prerogative of the African American community, when in fact the African American community can be just as bigoted as anyone else. If everyone was accepting of homosexuality there wouldn't need to be a civil rights movement in its favor. The fact that these people are members of a minority that has had to struggle for civil rights doesn't mean that they can't be on the wrong side of the issue when it concerns another minority group.
Why not just obey the law as it stands today in the U.S. :
The Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA,
No state (or other political subdivision within the United States) needs to treat a relationship between persons of the same sex as a marriage, even if the relationship is considered a marriage in another state.
The federal government may not treat same-sex relationships as marriages for any purpose, even if concluded or recognized by one of the states.
I appreciate your thought provoking comments! Yes DOMA may be...according to the White House ...on the chopping block. I guess the big question is... just what exactly is the definition of marriage....and who gets to decide that...for sure....forever.... my conviction is that God designed men and women....and he designed their bodies to be united in marriage....anything else will have eternal consequences.... I genuinely care about what happens to people in eternity.
I do think gay marriage is a parallel to the civil rights movement. NOT the same. There are different levels of suffering, and though ours does not equal theirs, it does not make it less in my eyes. It IS a civil rights issue.
From the video: "They are trying to compare the civil rights movement with their sexual behaviour".
Well it shows how much he values marriage, if he honestly believes it's just about sexual behaviour.
As someone else commenting here has succinctly said, South African leaders Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu both support gay marriage, and frankly, they've seen far worse oppression in South Africa in the last hundred years than African Americans.
gay marriage is not a civil right. they do not have the "right" to marry people of the same sex. marriage is an institution between one man and one woman, and they gays do not have the right to re-define one of the foundations upon which humanity exists.
Marriage is a civil right. and through constant redefinition in America alone it has endured. it still exists. Honestly I think Tia Tequila and The Bachelor have done more damage to marriage than we gays ever could. Marriage is about love, respect, devotion and commitment. It's about family and beauty and yes even about sex. I wish it didn't have to be about politics OR religion. But it has been forced to become that. This is a great pity, but it doesn't change the right to marry for love.
What is a Sin is these black people claiming that they deserve rights not afforded to Gay people - that is the "sin". Gay people are born gay; it's not a "choice" it is just who they are. It is shameful that a group that just received "civil rights" are so quick to place themselves above other people. But then again, we're looking at a video specifically from bigots showing religious people. Hmmm. Big wonder.
Nelson Mandela, and Bishop Tutu both consider gay rights a civil rights issue. Quite frankly, I trust them far more than these offensive bigots who are a disgrace to human rights (ever mind civil rights). Shame on you.
Civil rights as defined by Merriam Webster -the nonpolitical rights of a citizen, especially, the rights of personal liberty guaranteed to United States citizens by the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution and by acts of Congress.
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Gay and lesbian citizens are not given equal treatment under the law and the statements of this questionable organization are misleading. No major health or psychological organization believes that sexual orientation is chosen or easily changed as suggested. We also live in a nation that is not a theocracy and in which we enjoy a separation of church and state. Therefor, the religious views of one person should not on there own, without legitimate non-religious reasoning, be used to take away
the equal rights of others. Lastly, children are not endangered by same sexed couples who can and do parent children. Many studies show that these children do not develop deficits. It is incredibly offensive to use children as a political tool in an attempt to deny equal rights.
question for these pastors. did they "choose" to be straight? A person can "change their mind" about their sexual preference? No. You can LIE to yourself and pretend to feel something that you don't in order to please other people, or you can be true to yourself and live honestly. These people are vastly misinformed and afraid of anything that would shake up their world-view. I'm sure glad not all Christians sects in America are at odds with sexuality.
Gay marriage is a civil right! If a group of people are singled out on an arbitrary basis and denied the right to marry another adult of their choice (who loves them) then they are denied important rights. Gays are singled out arbitrarily since the fact they sleep with people of the same sex should have no effect on that important right- to marry another adult of their choice (who loves them).
Hmmmm I thought it was because they were Jews...
derekpackard 2 years ago
I or anyone I know did not choose to be gay. Anyone that thinks someone would choose to be gay with all the societal B.S. that affects us is ignorant.
People were exterminated in Natzi Germany, murdered, assaulted, harassed, put in jail, thrown out of the homes, fired, ostracized by their families and friends...ALL because they were gay. We have come a long way to fight the hate and prejudice and marriage equality is one of the last battles.
Permaglo 2 years ago
"Gay and lesbian people have families, and their families should have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union. A constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages is a form of gay bashing and it would do nothing at all to protect traditional marriages."
- Coretta Scott King
mike2jb 2 years ago
The law already grants protections and freedoms equally. Same sex couple are free to enter civil unions by law because by law marriage is between opposite genders for numerous reasons.
derekpackard 2 years ago
I just want to know if I can get a civil union as a straight couple. I don't want anything to do with marriage, except for the financial benefits. And that's all I can see in this debate, is an issue of finance and in that light, I do consider this a civil rights issue. I have seen more happy gay couples, more capable of raising children than dysfunctional straight marriages. This is a non issue, unless you can explain to me how two people of the same sex getting married affects you.
andhemills 2 years ago
". . .marriage is between opposite genders for numerous reasons."
What reasons are those?
jfsfrnd 2 years ago
But shouldn't the protections of religious freedom also protect gays and lesbians from your beliefs? The church which I attend does not share your view of homosexual marriage, believing that marriage is a union of two people who love each other, irrespective of gender. But the position of each of our churches is irrelevant, because the issue at hand is civil marriage and the legal protections that accompany that institution.
conor143 2 years ago
This video seems to suggest that civil rights are the prerogative of the African American community, when in fact the African American community can be just as bigoted as anyone else. If everyone was accepting of homosexuality there wouldn't need to be a civil rights movement in its favor. The fact that these people are members of a minority that has had to struggle for civil rights doesn't mean that they can't be on the wrong side of the issue when it concerns another minority group.
conor143 2 years ago
Why not just obey the law as it stands today in the U.S. :
The Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA,
No state (or other political subdivision within the United States) needs to treat a relationship between persons of the same sex as a marriage, even if the relationship is considered a marriage in another state.
The federal government may not treat same-sex relationships as marriages for any purpose, even if concluded or recognized by one of the states.
derekpackard 2 years ago
The law as it stands isn't always right:) For example: slavery was once legal, as was segregation.
And by the way, isn't marriage supposed to be up to the states? DOMA could be seen as violating the rights of states to regulate marriage themselves.
conor143 2 years ago
I appreciate your thought provoking comments! Yes DOMA may be...according to the White House ...on the chopping block. I guess the big question is... just what exactly is the definition of marriage....and who gets to decide that...for sure....forever.... my conviction is that God designed men and women....and he designed their bodies to be united in marriage....anything else will have eternal consequences.... I genuinely care about what happens to people in eternity.
derekpackard 2 years ago
They make it seem as tho gays choose to be gay too... why would i wud want to choose to live a life of discrimination...
thelousyllama 2 years ago
"I didnt have a choice to be black". . .Im sorry, I forgot people can choose there genes
DidntKnowWhatToPut1 2 years ago
I do think gay marriage is a parallel to the civil rights movement. NOT the same. There are different levels of suffering, and though ours does not equal theirs, it does not make it less in my eyes. It IS a civil rights issue.
lynnosburn 2 years ago
Gar Marriage=Civil Right?
EHHHH!!!!!!!! WRONG!!!!!!
Gay Marriage is wrong and should be destroyed
BODLive08 2 years ago
Gay Marriage=Civil Right?
EHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Wrong!!!!!!
Gay Marriage is immoral and wrong and should be eliminated from thw world competely. Those who think otherwise are nothing but damned souls.
BODLive08 2 years ago
All the major study groups are clear about that it is NOT a choice!!!
Clemburke1111 2 years ago
Mildred Loving supported of same-sex marriage.
So did Coretta Scott King.
Google them, and you will see that I am right.
Felidaise 2 years ago
From the video: "They are trying to compare the civil rights movement with their sexual behaviour".
Well it shows how much he values marriage, if he honestly believes it's just about sexual behaviour.
As someone else commenting here has succinctly said, South African leaders Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu both support gay marriage, and frankly, they've seen far worse oppression in South Africa in the last hundred years than African Americans.
beno19900 3 years ago
It also shows how much he knows about sexual orientation.
Homosexuality and heterosexuality is not determined by sexual behavior, but sexual ATTRACTION.
Felidaise 2 years ago
South Africa has gay marriage.
Clemburke1111 2 years ago
gay marriage is not a civil right. they do not have the "right" to marry people of the same sex. marriage is an institution between one man and one woman, and they gays do not have the right to re-define one of the foundations upon which humanity exists.
baileybales 3 years ago
Marriage is a civil right. and through constant redefinition in America alone it has endured. it still exists. Honestly I think Tia Tequila and The Bachelor have done more damage to marriage than we gays ever could. Marriage is about love, respect, devotion and commitment. It's about family and beauty and yes even about sex. I wish it didn't have to be about politics OR religion. But it has been forced to become that. This is a great pity, but it doesn't change the right to marry for love.
lynnosburn 2 years ago
What is a Sin is these black people claiming that they deserve rights not afforded to Gay people - that is the "sin". Gay people are born gay; it's not a "choice" it is just who they are. It is shameful that a group that just received "civil rights" are so quick to place themselves above other people. But then again, we're looking at a video specifically from bigots showing religious people. Hmmm. Big wonder.
nlightnd07 3 years ago
Former black person: Michael Jackson.
nicksum29 3 years ago
hhaha true
thelousyllama 2 years ago
Nelson Mandela, and Bishop Tutu both consider gay rights a civil rights issue. Quite frankly, I trust them far more than these offensive bigots who are a disgrace to human rights (ever mind civil rights). Shame on you.
nicksum29 3 years ago
Civil rights as defined by Merriam Webster -the nonpolitical rights of a citizen, especially, the rights of personal liberty guaranteed to United States citizens by the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution and by acts of Congress.
SpeedyBruin 3 years ago
What does the 14th amendment say?
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
SpeedyBruin 3 years ago
Gay and lesbian citizens are not given equal treatment under the law and the statements of this questionable organization are misleading. No major health or psychological organization believes that sexual orientation is chosen or easily changed as suggested. We also live in a nation that is not a theocracy and in which we enjoy a separation of church and state. Therefor, the religious views of one person should not on there own, without legitimate non-religious reasoning, be used to take away
SpeedyBruin 3 years ago
the equal rights of others. Lastly, children are not endangered by same sexed couples who can and do parent children. Many studies show that these children do not develop deficits. It is incredibly offensive to use children as a political tool in an attempt to deny equal rights.
SpeedyBruin 3 years ago
Marriage promotes families.
Families promote social stability.
Support marriage equality.
randmac2003 3 years ago
question for these pastors. did they "choose" to be straight? A person can "change their mind" about their sexual preference? No. You can LIE to yourself and pretend to feel something that you don't in order to please other people, or you can be true to yourself and live honestly. These people are vastly misinformed and afraid of anything that would shake up their world-view. I'm sure glad not all Christians sects in America are at odds with sexuality.
jshweid 3 years ago
The same points need to be made over and over.
1. Homosexuality is not a "choice". I can't believe some people still think it is.
2. Church and state are separate.
rtcnz 3 years ago
Gay marriage is a civil right! If a group of people are singled out on an arbitrary basis and denied the right to marry another adult of their choice (who loves them) then they are denied important rights. Gays are singled out arbitrarily since the fact they sleep with people of the same sex should have no effect on that important right- to marry another adult of their choice (who loves them).
bernardwilliams 3 years ago