Broader Lens

[Lehonti911]

Good video. What's going on with elected leaders these days?! They develop political amnesia, usually to secure needed support for office. They forget the people they are elected to serve. Good job, guys. Hold him accountable!

[aliciaburkriley]

Yes on traditional marriage! It's best for children and it's best for society as a whole.

[bearchewtoy75]

Which traditional marriage?

Arranged? Treating women like property?

BTW, no is trying to take away "traditional" marriage!

[slbhanna]

This is not an equal rights issue. It's a special rights issue. Let's not confuse that.

[bearchewtoy75]

Explain how it's special, please.

[slbhanna]

It's elementary my friend. We're all equal already.

[bearchewtoy75]

Gays and lesbians can't get married to the person they love. How is asking for that right "special"?

[slbhanna]

Move to a State that made it legal minus the people vote. They made it special for you.

[bearchewtoy75]

Sounds like you want the right to discriminate.

That sounds more like a special right to me.

[slbhanna]

Listen, you can label me what you wish; I don't care. And BTW, we were both born with equal rights; both of us able to marry.

[bearchewtoy75]

I would like to marry the person I love who is the same gender as I. I'm not allowed to do that. Don't tell me that I have the right to marry someone of the opposite sex when I'll never be able to have those kind of feelings for them.

[slbhanna]

I'm sorry but nobody has ever had that option. You're talking like you ability not to marry your partner is some sudden phenomenon. It is not.

[bearchewtoy75]

Denial of civil rights has never been a sudden phenomenon.

Actually the denial of marriage rights goes back to the early 70's. This is not a new thing.

I find it so amazing that every time gays and lesbians have have demanded not to be discriminated against, they've been labeled as special rights.

[slbhanna]

Discriminated against? You are free to marry just like I am.  And BTW, your issue is not a civil rights issue.

[bearchewtoy75]

I am not allowed to marry the person I love.

The Supreme Court said that marriage is a civil right tin Loving v. Virginia

[slbhanna]

I think you need to go back and read that case. It's a 1967 interracial marriage case.

[bearchewtoy75]

And it says that marriage is a civil right.

[slbhanna]

Yes because they are referring to skin color and not sexual practice.

[bearchewtoy75]

It's a civil right that gay people are being denied because they want to marry the same sex. Civil marriage is a civil right.

They also used religious arguments to deny interracial marriage. And the majority of the public were against it.

[slbhanna]

It is not a right until it's made legal.

I'm sure they did use religious arguments to deny interracial marriage, but keep in mind that everybody is not religious.

[bearchewtoy75]

Marriage is a right that is legal for opposite sex couples, that right to same sex couples...

You're right not everyone is religious, yet many people seem to think that religion should be a basis to deny same sex couples the right to marry one another.

[slbhanna]

Yes, marriage is a legal right for opposite sex couples and has been for quite some time. This concept is not new.

You are correct to say "many" people use religion as a basis to deny SS couples the right to marry. However, since Christianity has reportedly been on a great decline, we certainly cannot blame religion as being the only reason it's being denied.

[bearchewtoy75]

I'll correct myself.... MOST people use religion as their basis to deny same sex marriage and the ones that don't make other claims that either aren't true or don't hold water (it will cause polygamy, schools will have to teach it, it takes away religious rights)

And last I heard, Christianity is still pretty strong in this country.

And to deny same sex couples from enjoying the same rights and benefits that straight couples do, it not right and I argue that it's unconstitutional.

[slbhanna]

Well I guess you'll just have to argue then. Civil unions were designed to take care of the problems, but that's not good enough. Marriage has to be redefined and that's bogus. I don't see the benefit of continuing to argue, since it's only going to make things worse. And BTW, schools in CA are trying to teach it (that's not going over very well) and religious rights are being taken away. The Bible condemns homosexuality. If preachers are not free to preach it, what do you call it?

[bearchewtoy75]

1. Preachers are free to preach it all they want. Show me an example where they weren't allowed to. Show me where they're freedom of religion was denied to them.

It's funny that before some states said that gays couple marry, civil unions were opposed by most of the people who said they are trying to "protect marriage". Then it became some kind of fall back. There are also many problems with civil union... one is that they don't always offer ALL the rights of marriage.

[bearchewtoy75]

2. Also name a set of laws in the US that called something different for a different set of people. With making domestic partnership and civil unions the same as marriage, but with a different name, you're inferring that those relationships are less valid than others.

Schools are trying to teach it? This "teaching" about it is merely talking about the fact that there are all kinds of relationships and families in the world and some kids come have two moms or two dads.

[bearchewtoy75]

3. Teaching that something in life exists, doesn't mean it's being promoted. If kids are taught about different kids of religious beliefs, you wouldn't say that the school is trying to make my kid believe in something non-christian.

People are persecuted for all sorts of reasons in this country and it's mostly out of fear and misunderstanding. Maybe if we teach tolerance about those who are different than us, there would be less of that in the world. Kids have DIED because of intolerance.

[bearchewtoy75]

And BTW, you still haven't explained how it's a "special" right.

[bearchewtoy75]

Not when gay and lesbians can't get married to the person they love.

How is asking for that make it "special"?

[gwenmerrill]

The issue here is not really marriage. It is whether or not one ideology can be forced on the public. Photographers, caterers, health care providers, etc. should be allowed to determine what practices are acceptable to them and be allowed to refer customers/patients elsewhere if the situation is not in keeping with their personal moral values and beliefs. This country is founded on principles of individual liberty, and that should include ALL people.

[talkinmama]

I agree. Imagine if NO business could refuse service - barefoot and shirtless people in restaurants, banks accounts for people who kite checks, landscapers mowing a lawn 50 miles away...

In real life , where do you draw the line.? I was a small business owner before I had children. There were some jobs that I just didn't want to do. I'm glad there was no law compelling me to work under circumstances that I was uncomfortable with, & that I didn't have to hire an attorney and go to court over it!

[BetterABleedingHeart]

So business owners can refuse to serve RRRW Christians? Cool!

[k10star]

Great Video!

The governor says he will sign a gay "marriage" bill if religious protections are inserted into the bill, but what about the florists, photographers, caterers and other regular people who may not want to offer commercial marriage services to same gender couples?

These protections wont protect them!

Why do politicians so freely betray the people who voted for them?

[psbrowns]

Where's the tolerance for my opinion and behavior? I've been tolerating others forever. Why is this a christian issue? What is it when non christians have the opinion that marriage is supposed to be between 2 DIFFERENT genders? Uneducated? What if my education excedes yours and I know something that you don't regarding this matter? What is it then?I don't want the nature of my marriage contract changed. It's really that simple.

[StephanieKansas]

This to me is a non-issue. If you don't agree with marriage equality, don't marry someone of the same sex! As a school teacher, I don't ever recall reading/citing the words..."with liberty and justice for ALL" and seeing the word, "except". Separate but equal does not, has not and should not work. We can not "eenie meenie miney moe" through our neighborhoods and point to who is allowed marriage or not. As a christian and American, I am for equality, love, and acceptance for all human life:)

[k10star]

If this is a non-issue to you then you havent studied Constitutional law but its even more amazing how politicians & even judges seem to ignore basic facts when it comes to gay rights.

Equal Protection under the Constitution requires laws be applied regardless of an individuals characteristics or situation, just as justice is administered blindly. A modification of the definition of the word marriage to include the actions of one special interest group subverts the idea of equal protection.

[Surathan]

Marriage is marriage

Fuck Off you bigots.

[Surathan]

Lolly, wow, you're so fucking stupid

You're SO stupid it burns.

[goodasyou]

Hey Cornerstone: Why are you shutting out our comments on your blog? Don't want people to see the response ad we've made?

For everyone else: Click to my profile to view response ad. CPR wont allow me to post it as a video repsonse

[wilcoxfamily6]

There can be no such thing as "marriage" between two men or two women; that's not the definition of marriage. Politicians are again messing with natural laws to try to appease the gay rights agenda. Let the people decide for themselves. I dare you to put it to a vote by the people!

[WellConditioned]

As if civil rights should EVER be subject to a vote by christian tyranny. The US is a democratic republic - something of which your hateful ass is completely unaware.

[mtmmog]

Changing the institution of marriage for political expediency? The governor needs to be held responsible for his words versus his actions. He is just another example of the gutless wonders who lead the states and the country.

[WellConditioned]

...and yet the christian republicans gave adulterer and lying hypocrite David Vitter a standing ovation when he returned to his duties in Congress.

Does your second sentence apply to him as well?

[uamilashka]

Great video...I'm glad you are standing up for what is right!

[mrd100184]

"bigots" - "wacko" - "theofascist hypocrites" ... but WE'RE the haters.

[Lolly82683]

Why are there so many homos trashing heteros for not accepting homosexuality? This video was clearly made by a hetero speaking to other heteros. Why are there so many comments calling us stupid, bigoted or hateful.We are none of those things. Why do you feel so threatened by a group of people that cherish life? You generalize christians as people who hate. True christians love. We love you. We hate what you do. With opposing opinions, we can't both be right. Who can back up their side?

[Zuul030]

"Why are there so many homos trashing heteros for not accepting homosexuality?"

It's not about acceptance, it's about tolerance. Like how those of us who aren't Christian tolerate those who are.

"Why do you feel so threatened by a group of people that cherish life?"

Who says gays don't?

"With opposing opinions, we can't both be right. Who can back up...?"

I think the problem is Christians are using a 2000 year old book to back up their bigotry.

Not everyone ascribes to Christian beliefs.

[PearlDiver008]

Great video! It's nice to see people holding politicians to their promises. If they don't keep the promises they made in order to get elected by the people, then how will the people ever have confidence that their voices will be represented in government?

[megncali]

This is not something that should be legislated by the state congress and executive branch. It is something that should be decided by the people. In case you've all forgotten, even CALIFORNIA overwhelmingly voted against gay marriage.

Marriage is supported by government when it is between a man and woman because it is stable. It is the fundamental building block of society. And yes, I live in California, and yes I voted for and campaigned for Proposition 8. And I'm proud of my state.

[Zuul030]

"CALIFORNIA overwhelmingly voted against gay marriage."

This is an outright lie and you know it (Or perhaps you don't).

From Ballotpedia:

People who voted for Prop 8: 6,838,107 or 52.3% of the population.

People who voted against it: 6,246,463 or 47.7% of the population.

That is not an "overwhelming" majority. That's less than 5% or about 600,000 voters. Compare that to 20 years ago when it lost by 30%.

[Zuul030]

"Marriage is supported by government when it is between a man and woman because...."

Government shouldn't be in the business OF Marriage. We are supposed to have separation of Church and State.

A down and dirty simple fix: Make ALL marriages, Civil Unions... grant the same rights and privileges as Marriage and then allow the Churches to grant Marriages as they see fit.

Keep Gov't out of Marriage.

How fair is it that Marriage has this Biblical connotation, yet forces Atheists to have one?

[zmikles]

You're all upset because the Governor realized that he doesn't want to be known forever as a wacko bigot like all of you. We don't live in some extremist theocracy where the bible is the rule of law. Marriage Equality takes away NONE of your rights! Get an education! On another note, how unsurprising that you disabled the ratings on your crap video. Gotta control that free speech, right? I'm sure these comments will be disabled soon too. Typical theofascist hypocrites.

[goodasyou]

Yay, marriage equality!

[neenerpuss]

Gov Lynch knows that the contitutions 14th amendment says: "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."

It is discrimination to deny gays the right to marry!

MARRIAGE EQUALITY FOR ALL!

[depfox]

Good for Governor Lynch's I hope he signs the bill and you bigots get disapointed.