Should Gays Have the Right to Be Married?

I am personally tired of explaining why I think gays should be allowed to be together for life if they so choose. It isn't anyone else's business what I do in my personal life as long as it isn't illegal or isn't hurting someone else. Leave me the hell alone already ! Update 2012: My thoughts on gay marriage have changed dramatically since my original review in 2003. As it stands now, I really don't care one way or another. Heterosexuals have proven over and over again that marriage is a corrupt institution and almost 50% of their marriages end in divorce with families being destroyed from within because of it. With that knowledge, any gay person that does get married in the few states that it's legal, deserve whatever misery they get. Have fun with the alimony, expensive attorney fees, out-of-control children, etc. Let the heteros keep it and the misery that comes with it and keep telling yourselves how wonderful it is, even though the evidence proves otherwise. lol.

The Taliban doesn't think so. . .

Lots of tricky issues here. My take: civil unions are the domain of the state, marriages are the domain of each church, and while marriages can be recognized by the state for legal purposes, civil unions need not be recognized by particular churches according to their specific standards, nor, as with many religions, should marriage outside a particular church be recognized by that church. When pets can legally inherit estates, trying to force the state to declare a civil union a marriage reeks of political blackmail with no specific purpose other than to divide society. The classic wedge issue effect at play. In short, this is all about ideological convention, not spiritual righteousness nor legal rights.

I think of marriage in general as one big joke. Two people's lasting commitment to each other, whether straight or gay, needn't be made into an otherwise meaningless ceremony that, in the minds of many, serves as the basis of assurance that such commitment does, in fact, exist between the two parties through an exchange of what is supposed to be a corporeal representation of love. More than half of all couples end up getting divorced anyway.

They through the civil rights act deserve a legal union ceremony and should get the same treatment from government as married people get! But Marriage by definition is between a Male and a female!

Unless there is a rational argument against someone having the same rights as everyone else, then there is no enforceable reason to deny those rights. I've yet to hear a rational argument against gay marriage.

Like Jerry Brown (from CA) says, "If marriage is so sacred, then divorce should be illegal" . Doh! I'm thinking there's not much argument there? Yeah, if gays want to be married, "welcome to 'no more awesome sex-ville'..."

Should Gays Have the Right to Be Married? Yes! They deserve the same hell as the rest of us!

Well why not? Do we have to live with them? I don't object to this as this won't affect me in any way. You wouldn't hear a thing from any gay person if they were given the same rights as others.

There are few things which piss me off more than fellow Christians who use the Bible as a reason to oppose the rights (and in some cases, the lives) of homosexuals. Jesus Christ, the son of God, taught us not to judge others, and also to treat other people in a manner in which we would like to be treated. That should be the end of the discussion. I have no interest in enforcing laws in the present day which were created in order to best escort the Jews through the desert, and I especially have no interest in making the various bigotries of St Paul law. I think humanity is in a very sad state if people are using obscure passages of the Bible as an excuse to incite needless hatred and intolerance when Jesus, in by far the most important part of the entire book, preaches love and acceptance.

I really can't see any logic behind the notion that their getting married will somehow ruin the institution.In a "free" country,we're supposed to have equal rights.That includes the right to tie the knot between any two people of age.If a particular church has a problem with it,they don't have to do it,but it's totally wrong to force ones religious beliefs on others.As far as Catholicism goes,they have a lot of nerve pointing a finger at any two consenting adults after giving refuge to pedophilic priests."Remove the beam from thine own eye" !

All couples of legal age deserve the right to marry regardless of gender. Anything less than equal protection under the law is patently unconstitutional. All churches deserve (and have) the right to decide which couples of legal age can be married therein. It's really not rocket science.

This is like the abortion issue in that it proposes a major cultural paradigm shift and therefore a lot of expected confusion, anger and debate. I’m not certain that any of it is really necessary if you simply stop and realize that it either involves you or it does not. For instance; if you are a woman and you disagree with abortion – by all means do not have one. If you are a man and you don’t agree with it then don’t impregnate a woman you don’t want to have a child with. If you are gay and you do not agree with gay marriage – again; don’t marry. If you’re straight and you don’t believe in gay marriage then don’t marry a gay person (or get a grip and realize it has nothing to do with you and that no one is going to take away your right to marry the opposite sex). In other words – use your energy to tend to your own rights, responsibilities, beliefs and lifestyle and try to stay out of other people’s private lives. We are never all going to like the same food, enjoy the same en... Read more

I think they should have the right to get married. It is not that I think being gay is so wonderful or that I am one of those girls that go around with gay men. I have seen the gay women that wanted to get married in San Francisco and then they take it away and it just isn't right. I think everyone has their rights and they are just people. People are locked into one way of looking at things. Some people are also the ones that are both sexes hemaphrodite. What should they be able to do then? They could marry. It is happening anyway and times are changing.

I think all orientations should have the opportunity to get married, get bored, get divorced, lose at least half their stuff and wind up bitter and alone! :-)

No, I don't think they should have the right. There are 2 differnt genders in the world, and there is a reason for that i am sure. If people were not meant to be married to opposite genders, why would there be 2 seperate genders. In my opinion, we were not created to be gay, although if that is what they choose, then that is fine. But I don't think being gay should be allowed to go to the extent of gay marriage.

They can marry who ever they want to. I just don't support it and never will.

I do not support gay marriage (nor civil unions) but I do my best to respect all people (except the Yankees and Red Sox). I think the gay marriage issue is a great way to sidestep issues like the faltering economy. I think people will automatically assume that I'm conservative based on that but I consider myself more as a moderate because I am pro-choice and support single payer universal healthcare. But rest assured on my feelings that both Democrats and Republicans suck!

The name marriage means acceptance for gays on religious grounds, but considering the state of marriage today…I don’t understand why they would want to use the same name anyway.

The most disturbing thing is that this question even has to be ASKED in this day and age!

Sticky topic. I think a civil union of some type should be allowed, but I don't think I'm ready to go any further than that. I guess one concern that I have is that the church is going to take a beating for refusing to perform ceremonies for gay couples and that would not only be unfortunate, but it would additionally be unconstitutional if we try to coerce churches into doing something that they have a religious grounds for not supporting.

It shows how low our society has sunk where this proposition has gained serious consideration. This is hilarious.Any society that permits this is rapidly on the way to permanent decline. This is the Iron Verdict of History. Goodbye, America!

They already have that right but, in most states, nobody can marry someone of the same gender, any more than they can marry their sisters or first cousins. Or their pets. For now . . .

I believe Gays should be able to marry, simply because I would want them to have the opportunity to go through divorce and be as unhappy as the straights.

It's none of my business to tell people who they can or can't marry. If we are going to copy bible passages to argue against gay marriage, I've heard the KKK use Genesis 9:27 as a reason blacks are inferior. Interracial marriage was not allowed until 1966.

They have it. Any gay can marry any woman and form a family. And any lesbian has the right to marry any men she pleases. The question is moot.

As society continues in vain to cover up things that are being swept under the rug, it keeps getting uglier and uglier. The argument about gays is redundant, they are accepting under any circumstance the argument that it is in their dna is a little bit strange. I don't know, I've seen the guys that come out and parade around on the  Maury show, they don't think about the young 8 year olds that could be watching? Kids are so impressionable, and now they have to digest people wanting to be gay, and dance around with dresses and wigs and make-up, how wierd is that? But you ask these people why? sometimes I feel as though so much hinges on people wanting to be noticed and on television. Today there are enough cabel channels out there, so practcally anybody can go n television.Another time I was reading an article in a magazine, about people who are on these reality shows, they number one do not make a lot of money. They may get some exposure, but it is usually the person who is the winner ... Read more

I think that gat marriages should be Legal..... some people use the bible as way to say that gay marriages shouldn't be legal but also in the bible it says that we are all brothers and sisters. so if a guy and a girl are together they are with thier brother or sister.. and thats not right in a way.....Gay people dont do anything that would hurt the original way of life(man and women) the only problem is that people are affraid of change... to bad suck it up

NO!!! Gays should not be able to get married. Marriage is a Culture. I don't want to be part of a Culture that promotes men screwing up the ass. We sit here everyday fighting AGAINST AIDS, but yet we have the same DUMBASS people fighting FOR GAY MARRIAGE. You are dumb if you think gays should marry. READ THE BIBLE. Or if you don't even want to go that far, read a BOOK. Look at the diseases, the deaths. You imbeciles.

yes gays and lesbians have the right to get married. the marriage should be legal. give them a marriage lecense, and evey body live happily ever after. give gay people a break!! they are crashing airplanes on the twin towers in new your. if Osama Ben Ladin can get married, well gay people can get married too. end of story

That's a very touchy situation, so I'm going to try and not pull anyone's strings. I PERSONALLY don't believe that they should, just because of what I've been taught, and what I believe. There's a saying that goes God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. I know that there are a lot of gay marriages that have already taken place, but I'm against them. It has nothing to do with the person themself, but with their lifestyle. I don't believe in gay marriages. Love is love, I understand that, but I'm still not for them at all.

They have the right to be married just like any one else. If a gay man wants to marry a woman I has the exact say right as a straight man. Any other right would be considered an additional right.

Absolutely. I don't even see why this is an issue, really. I've heard it said that gay marriage will ruin the institution of marriage, and at this, I scoff. Recently there was a pop star who got married and a day later declared it void, because, and I quote it was a joke that has gone to far. There was no outcry here, but you can bet that thousands, if not millions of young fans remember that. In Vegas you can get married, and (I'm not sure, but I believe this is so) divorced, without ever leaving the comfort of your car. How so, then, would the marriage of two, committed homosexuals degrade the institution of marriage? Where is the outcry of the drive through marriage? Where is the outcry for making divorce laws tougher? I believe that gay marriage is like any other marriage. Two committed people are necessary to make it work, and if there aren't two, it won't work. Whatever laws you pass. Let the homosexuals marry, and let god sort things out at the pearly gates, if that'... Read more

I think this question brings up alot of arguments for both sides... but if it was upto me YES... But, I am again a christian so its against religion.

Rights. That is the key word. If a man and a man, or a woman and woman, want to get married to each other, why should we stop them? Doesn't the Constitution say that All men are equal.? It took years for people to see past skin color, past sex. Is it going to take the same time to see past sexual preference? To say that two people of the same sex cannot get married legally is Discrimination.

If this is permissible, then there will be no logical reason to deny letting 3 people marry each other in a ménage à trois. There won't be any legal reason to deny letting a man marry his sister, his brother, his aunt, or his mother. As long as people can claim to have a meaningful relationship with other persons, they can lay claim to calling it a marriage. And don't be so sure they will limit it to marrying just people.

gay marriage being recognized by the state is not a segway into legalizing incestual marriage etc. that is an excuse that close-minded people, who feel they have the right to dictate the way other people should live their lives, use to make themselves seem less like bigots and more like concerned americans. i realize this statement will piss some people off, but i feel very strongly in favor of gay marraige and resent the fact that people feel they have a right to stop it.

Yeah sure, I don't really care if it gets banned or not, but people's religious reasons aside I do not see anything wrong with letting gays marry.

they are human beings capable of love.

My God, are we still spawning the likes of Mr Political? Incestual 'marriage' would not be illegal if a law was passed making it so since 'legal' means the passing of MAN-MADE laws. Personally though, I can't see anyone wanting this one to get on the statute books! What connection has this, however, with offering state protection for two gays wanting to commit to each other? It really doesn't affect him or Ralph, the wonderLlama ( a good case for treatment and therapy if ever there was one) in any way...., or does it? Homosexual men and women exist in EVERY country, every society, every culture and creed , even in those places who have relatively little contact with mass media,making up at least 10% of the world populus if not more. That makes MILLIONS of them worldwide...a statistic that seems to me to represent a pretty natural expression of human sexuality- and therefore one that God must have intended. To refer to marriage as one man and one woman is a legal contract; the word... Read more

If you mean, should they have the right to form a legal union for tax purposes, that I can agree with. But to label such a union a marriage I will not condone. Marriage has always been one man and one woman joined as one, with God's blessing, and to a lesser degree, the state's. Anything else does not meet the standard to be called marriage, and some of them (incestuous relationships, polygamy, etc.) should remain illegal under God and the law.

Solenoid- you have an excellent point. If you allow gays to get married, what is to stop incestual marriage? What is to stop polgomisits from getting married to thirty guys/girls (or both!)? Nothing, and that's really is scary.

I am a republican but I believe in this libral views of gay marriage. Who says homosexuals cant get married. Oh yea the Catholic Church but Wait.... isn't there a seperation between church and state. It is up to the goverment not the church and Im from massahusetts and now the gays can get married.

Sure. Why should straight people have a monopoly on fighting over the bills, and who does the dishes, takes out the garbage and walks the dog.

I get so tired of people trying to force love into cookie cutter shapes. Who is the government to try and dictate love? Who is anyone for that matter? Heterosexual couples are allowed to get married with little stipulations. They can be abusive, criminals, drunk, even be on their 10th time. And yet homosexual couples are not afforded even the privilege of getting married. I think this only proves that our government relies to heavily on religious doctrines. Bush certainly has no right to tamper with the Constitution, the foundation of our nation. I suppose I just don't see the problem in allowing these couples, who will continue their lifestyle regardless, to be able to express their love and commitment the most true way.

I think that marriage is the joining of a man and a woman, but gays need to be allowed that same type of right. Is it a marriage, I would say no since it is not between different sexes, but is it more than a civil union? I think so. I think the gay community should come up with a term of their own to describe the union of two people of the same sex, and I think they should be granted the same rights as a man and woman who enter into marriage. And since when have family values meant anti homosexuality. My family has very strong values, but they do not include discriminating against homosexuals. I would prefer to know a loving, respectful homosexual couple, than to know a married couple who have a contemptuous relationship.

I fail to see the tenuous connection between allowing gay marriage and the marriage of minors. Minors cannot consent, adults can. If a marriage is a legal contract between two consenting adults that causes no harm to anyone, then why the heck not?

Yes they should. I have no problem with this.If this is what a gay couple want to do let them get married.

I think that the issue of marriage should be left to religious groups. Let them approve or disapprove as they wish. But our secular government should allow the civil union of same-sex couples so that all our citizens can be afforded the same benefits under the law.