Washington, New Jersey move toward same-sex marriage
By Tom Watkins, CNN
(CNN) - Same-sex marriage got a boost on two fronts Monday, when the governor of Washington signed a bill legalizing marriage for gay and lesbian couples and the New Jersey state Senate voted 24-16 in favor of a similar bill.
The New Jersey bill now goes to the Assembly, which is slated to vote Thursday. "We're cautiously optimistic" about its chances for passage, said Steven Goldstein, a spokesman for Garden State Equality, which has lobbied for the bill.
But the legislation is threatened in both states.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said last month that the issue "should not be decided by 121 people in the State House in Trenton." Instead, he favors a statewide referendum.
"I think that this is not an issue that should rest solely in my hands, in the hands of the Senate president or in the hands of the speaker or the other 118 members of the Legislature," he said. "Let's let the people of New Jersey decide what is right for the state."
If he vetoes the measure, "the battle for overriding the veto begins," Goldstein said.
Washington state became the latest to sanction same-sex marriage Monday, when Gov. Chris Gregoire signed legislation legalizing it. The law will go into effect in June, when the legislative session ends, but opponents have vowed to try to halt its implementation by putting it on the November ballot.
That possibility did not appear to dampen the spirits of those who attended the bill-signing ceremony.
"We have finally said yes to marriage equality," Gregoire said to applause moments before signing the bill. "It gives same-sex couples the same right to a marriage license as heterosexual couples."
She noted that churches are not required to perform same-sex marriages under the law and expressed confidence that, if put to a state-wide vote, Washingtonians would back the measure.
"I believe our Washingtonians will say yes because it's time for us to stand up for our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters, our moms and dads, our friends and the couple down the road," she said. "It is time to give our loving gay and lesbian couples the right to a marriage license in Washington state."
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America is going to chit in a hand basket. Illegal immigrants, Gays wanting to get married. sweep you both under the run so we dont hear from you.
Their only objective is NOT equal rights, but to confuse, deter, and destroy everyone's belief structure. Notice how they use words like "sacred" and want traditional "religious" marriages, and then bash Christianity. It's a game to these people, it gives them something to do, nothing more.
Check out Capitol Hill in Seattle, rampant with gay bars full of GHB to give to runaway minors as they are "taken" up to clubs such as Neighbors, Club Z..etc. What these animals do do teens isn't exactly "loving" and "sacred". GHB is a knock out narc that replaces roofies. It is prevelant in the gay communities and is brought to the bars via a few gay gentlemen living in Magnolia! Have a nice day !
God, guns, and gays, the 3 biggest political red herrings ever. Please keep the attention on this non-issue rather than something like an educational system that keeps falling further and further behind the rest of the world or aging infrastructure because its gays that will destroy the country not those other minor irritants. Your local and national politicians thank you from the bottom of their incompetent hearts.
When you have no platforn, pander.
GAY PEOPLE ARE WASTING THEIR TIME AND MONEY, WHY ? THE SUPREME COURT IS GOING TO RULE IN FAVOR OF CALIFORNIA PROP 8 ...IS GOING TO BE THE LAW OF THE LAND.....PERSONALLY I'M SICK AND TIRED OF LISTENING TO GAYS AND ILLEGALS CREATING PROBLEMS...THE SUPREME COURT WILL PUT AN END TO BOTH SOON...STATES WILL BE ABLE TO ENFORCE THE IMMIGRATION LAWS.....
Poor baby.
stupidest. comment. ever
No dan.....[stupidist] is not a word...you get a little red squiggly line under words that are misspelled or just plain dumb, when you type into your browser. Its called a "dan checker" .
You need to get a grip, times are changing. The rational people of America realize that, yes, gays happen to be people too. Didn't you ever think that without the government repealing the ban on gays in the military you never would have been able to be a proud marine?
And for the record...the ONLY logical comment left...and to close this discussion...if you're NOT from either state...then goodbye. It's none of YOUR business...you limps sitting in New York, or L.A.... what [rights] do you have in Washington? NONE!! Thanks for coming out !
You should probably consider seeing a doctor. You sound like you're close to giving yourself an ulcer.
Thanks Jimm...but I feel fine...you can just fall back in line with your 2004 ish comment!
A local spirit will infallibly prevail much more in the members of Congress than a national spirit will prevail in the legislatures of the particular States.
James Maison-= Federalist No. 46, January 29, 1788 =-
/sasuke004 is my fakebook....lol..so you monkeys can get a good look at me...I don't hide behind anything. I don't have to use devious tactics to win battles. I don't share in this "phobia" of gays...I have no fear of these folks...I only fear the children that grow up without fathers...and sane mothers...most of you would not qualify as parents....I think you would put your own selfish "rights" before children's well being.
Jeez dude. Take a chill pill. You're getting a little worked up there, aren't ya, buddy?
@ jena ..because of what you just said...."Gay Rights" why is it Gay Rights, and not just rights...thereby discriminating everyone else. Let's let the Black community know that in 2008- 2012 they were laid off because "Gay Rights" and "Gay Jobs" came before their families getting fed...let's tell the truth here....America is tired of the lies and the angles, and the excuses...I would never call any of you Americans...because you're simply so far from where you plant your bottom.
you are right it should just be called rights but for arguments sake i will also say its called that because of the group thats rights are being taken away. also i am a american just as much as you or anyone else i have served my country and i pay my taxes just like everyone else. so with that being said just because i happen to be gay does not mean i am not an american. you can call it whatever you want marriage,civil union, civil abomination etc.... i could really care less but do not impose your view on how a family looks on me or anyone else in the country.
So women were being discriminatory by demanding women's suffrage? How does your mind work with the cogs grinding like that?
I'm sorry Gemini...as a VETERAN...I've earned my rights...I wasn't just born and had all rights granted to me. As for being a straight white male in America.....hahaha, try it on for a few hours...you see...this is why people are appointed OVER you!
OH you are a veteran excuse me........ Well so am i and hundreds of other gay americans. not to mention those actively serving we have EARNED our rights also by your standards
"Hundreds" of gay veterans ? Try HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF STRAIGHT FAMILY ORIENTED VETERANS.......that now have to go through sensitivity training, and share bathrooms with men who desecrate their family values...I don't see you standing up for men and women with families and children at home...yeah those are the bad guys right? Now these people have to be "offended by law" and their choices are taken away from them. I guess you would even be bold enough to say.. "Well if straight active service members don't like it, they can get out" Come on wimp...I want you to say some crap like that...so I can post your smart comments to all my active duty buddies...you really want more of a fight while you're serving? Clinton did you guys a favor with "Don't Ask...." He saved lives....now you idiots want every guy with an M-16 to KNOW you're different, to know you're there offensively...
So now all of the sudden people who don't join the army don't deserve rights? If you held the values that a real veteran should, you'd know that you"re fighting to protect every American's rights, not some.
From a man in a military family who have served this since nation since 1820. Chris you are a disgrace to this nation and the reputation of the military. You are without honor or respect for the people you serve.
If you were any kind of veteran sir, you would be putting the treatment of veterans first and foremost in this country, instead we are talking about fighting FOR the very same groups of people that bash the military, spit on us if they could, and openly endanger their own people by exposing them in the services. So no, I think it is YOU that has lost all reason and have not a scrap of honor for this nation and the good of it's people.
What a sick country!
I could care less where "Christians" stand on this issue. Their opinion is inconsequential. This is a matter of American personal freedom which transcends the laws of any religion. Give the GLBT community what they deserve: a legally binding union equal to that of Marriage. Churches can decide whether or not they want to call it marriage or not, that's their right.
Civil Marriage already does that – that's why a couple can get married and never step foot in a church.
Christians AGAIN???? Why do you idiots CONTINUE to target only Christians? And Christians do not happen to be Americans? Wow man...I don't label my belief at all...but you target a religious group , all in the name of personal freedom for a specific group of people. Wow you're kind of ignorance should be banned from CNN...you're obviously a slacker right?!?! Someone who has never done anything in your life , but want to speak out like you mean something..without having any real "field" experience on any matter ?
Scream louder Chris.. seriously... use more exclamation points and question marks!
He never said all Christians weren't Americans, however not all Americans are Christians. And don't pretend like many of them don't make up a major group trying to impose a theocracy on the US by pushing against laws based on what their scripture says.
Because I, (and a majority of people) DISAGREE with a group of people trying to pass a law for their OWN GAIN, under false pretenses and phrases like "love and "sacred" ...I'm the ignorant one? Wow...where do you people transplant from? Most of you have grown into an ignorance that will eventually be wiped out, because when it comes to "fighting" for what you believe in, most of you would only go so far as your keyboards..that's about it... you're all so blind, you only live with personal blinders on, you only see something from your own side, and cannot come up with ANY equal and logical arguments...any facts or even reasoning to back up your bashing. You don't belong on CNN, you belong on Angry Birds....leave the big decisions to the people who make a difference in America...not the ones who sit in coffee shops wanting to be involved in something...because they have no belief in anything else.
Just keep screaming Chris, because it doesn't matter. Marriage Equality is here!
Chris
You are missing the point entirely. We do not live in a democracy (mob rule). We live in a republic (rule of law). So, your majority's opinion on the matter is irrelevant.
We, as a nation, decided that all people are created equal and should be treated equally. That right needed to be re-iterated by the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment and the Civil Rights Act. Not allowing LBGT couples to marry under the law is discrimination. It is that simple.
Ben, democracy is an umbrell, you are thinking of a direct democracy and representative democracy aka a republic. Both are a democracy and both have rule of law, in a republic the laws are made by representatives.
Very interesting stuff there, Chris. False pretenses like "love." Would you care to explain what you mean by that? Straight people have a monopoly on love? You decided what "love" is, and who is allowed to experience it?
Actually it IS my state. I mean, my family traveled all the way over from a nice Scandinavian country to settle what was then the "first city" Ballard, Wa, and then when Seattle became too big, they incorporated Ballard into Seattle...hmm if you look at most of the cities along the coast there, from Washington all the way out to Wisconsin..it was Scandinavians...hmm so yeah, it's my state, my city, even my country..that I fought for and still fight for....try serving a nation or even a community and then talk about "it's none of my business". It's more MY business than any of yours. Get out of my state and go back to Frisco....k !!
You are such a fool. Scandinavians are pro-rights for gays AND they all separation of Church and state. I always find it funny when people like you try to act like you have more of a right to be here than others because your supposed family immigrated earlier. So I guess the Native Americans can go tell you to take a hike huh?
As for all your garbage about families and how you need to grow up with a mom and a dad, I'd rather grow up with no one if the only option is to be a product of your family. You are obviously suffering from mental disability so something happened in the womb, or maybe you ate lead paint as a child. Product of incest? Mother did drugs? You did too many drugs?
Get help, or at least please don't reproduce or rear any innocent children.
okay after reading many of the responses from people i have my own oppinion that neather disagrees nor agrees with the topic
i am a follower of the Christian faith which although faith shouldn't be mixed with politics, my faith is the main reason for my response
the bible which is the holy word of God states that marriage is between a man and a woman, thus in my oppionion meens that a gay couple can't be religiously bound in marriage.
due to this complication comes my argument to the people that are totaly against gay marriage, while you cant call it a marriage why not call it a mutual relationship, or mutual union, allow the same benifits a married couple gets, thus solving the main problem of legal terms and also not conflicting with religious views
so even though it is not an official religious marriage, it is a by law legal marriage by definition, this is my own veiw on the subject
as i said im not for or against the subject
To those who think the vote should be decided by the citizens I put this question to you; If we had let the slavery vote up to the citizens, how many slaves would you still own or how many of you would still be slaves? Sometimes, the government MUST decide what is best since many people are not capable of it. Why must God be brought into what is actually a legally binding contract between two people? If churches don't want to perform a gay marriage that is their right, but gays and lesbians should be allowed the same legal rights as everyone else!
Let me ask you this Michelle...do you believe once gay couples have some magical right to marry...that they should then be given some magical right to have kids? Displacing fathers yet again in this country...oh wait..I'm not in the country right now.. but do you believe so strongly, that children should be raised and forced to accept having two mothers...or two fathers...it is a little known secret that children born into the world have both a mother and a father...I'm fighting for my state in regards to not having this thrown into the faces of the people who don;t care about these issues, who don't support this kind of thing...the people that don't hide behind anything, or fear gays and lesbians..they just want to work and go home and live decent lives....I fight for those Washingtonians that don't need what they feel and think to be criminalized by some smaller group of people....that is what I fight for...
Why are you so IGNORANT?? I hope you don't have children & spread your hatred & ognorance to them! Washinton is NOT your state! It belongs to ALL who live there! Again, It's none of your business!!!!!
Chris what makes you think gay people don’t just want to work and go home and live decent lives? What/who makes you the authority on what is decent? How do you know what children being raised by a gay couple think and feel? Were you raised by a gay couple? If not then you don’t known and it is an insult to those who were for you to speak as though you know all about them. It is funny how you think what you choose to fight for is right for all. NOT!!!! I am a straight black woman and I am smart enough to know that I do not know what gay people feel and think I will not make myself look like a fool and assume that I know what happens to all kids raised by a gay couple just like I don’t know what it is to be raised by a alcoholic or a drug addict or what is to be white in this world. WHY because I’m not or I wasn’t. My point is if you have not lived it you don’t know and you show your ignorance when you assume you do.
I totally agree why does everyone assume it's a hate issue, because it's not. It's about values and what a family truly is. There's a reason we're different and that difference should be celebrated and aspired to. I hold no hatred towards gays I just don't believe they should marry. Enough of the degradation of family and the values I and millions have enjoyed by having a Mom (woman) and Dad (man). That is and always will be the truest/purest relationship and when it's right we should defend it not treat it as some option.
@lindyhop: "I hold no hatred towards gays I just don't believe they should marry." So you're a 'nice' bigot Oookay....
Lindyhop Whose values? Yours? What is a true family? The Mother who lost her husband to cancer and has 2 kids they are not a family to you OR is it a fatherless family. Or the adult child, who has had to take responsibility for her/his siblings, they’re not a family? Or like the two women who live down the block and have just welcomed a new baby into their home not a family to you? Degradation to the family and values…. SO the father who beats the mother and kids is not a part of this so call degradation to the family because it is a man and women? Or to the father who is molesting his daughter is up holding your so called family values because there is a man and a woman husband and wife. Or the woman who married just to get out of her parents home no love there just a marriage of convenience. So please tell me again what is causing the degradation of family. Or should I say what YOU call a family?
Well we leave the Presidential vote to the people, (in theory) and look what happens...then as always when that guy screws the pooch, what do most Americans do then ? They shun the responsibility of putting that guy in office. Oh...I voted for him but I ughhh.... yeah right ! Jersey Governor is however doing the right thing...leaving it to the people, giving the people power,,,and the GLBT is running scared...because leaving it to the people would mean a "no" vote.
Yeah, you'd never put your own rights up for a popular vote would you? Hypocrite.
According to the US Supreme Court, which you too fight to protect, the rights of the minority cannot be taken away by the voice of the majority.
Don't be a dope! support human rights! It's the civil thing to do.
Soooo... It is a fact, that this nation (United States) was founded on the belief in God, and since we have taken prayer out of school, society has definitely gotten worse. Maybe not for you iPad toting, Facebook morons that think you know everything and actually can't even control your own lives. That being said... you continue to use our money, that clearly states "In God We Trust"...just like the muslims...they cling to theior beliefs but still come to this country and USE our money, that CLEARLY states....blah blah blah.. my point is ..most of you "supporters" are momentary supporters of anything popular. Marriage is not a "Human Right" . Read the Declaration of Human Rights...and tell me where it says anything about marriage. The truth is, if it's something you want, and you're not getting it, you begin each argument with "Human Rights" Well...it's my human right to deny you benefits......
What declaration of human rights? Do you mean the Declaration of Independence? Because there is a Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN and you don't really sound like someone who would support the UN....just say'n.
We do NOT live in a theocracy. Thank God for that!
FYI...I am NOT related to this guy! I have both liberal and conservative family members...some believe in God, and others don't. But we would never talk down to anyone like he does and we are all educated to the point where we can make coherent logical arguments.
All of my arguments were logical before they left my fingertips. Like I said up top...why support gay issues when none of you have ever equally supported healthy relationships between men and women...wow am I the only one that would support more groups for men and women, since we have such a problem in the U.S. right now...(if you haven't noticed, in the major cities...white women are being thrown out and replaced by another race right now) I'll let you think of which one !
All of my arguments were logical before they left my fingertips. ...wow am I the only one that would support more groups for men and women, since we have such a problem in the U.S. right now...(if you haven't noticed, in the major cities...white women are being thrown out and replaced by another race right now) I'll let you think of which one !
I love straight people, I support them...I don't know if I ever shared it with CNN, but both of my parents are straight.
to Chris Martin
Why do you think that in order to support gay rights, one must not support straight couples in healthy relationships? We can all exist in this world, we can all have rights without taking any away from each other, we can all have healthy relationships. This isn't an either/or situation. Some people are straight, some are gay. We would all like a chance for a happy, healthy and productive life and that includes relationships with the people we love, whomever they may be. Why is this a problem to you? How does a loving relationship shared by strangers (to you) diminish your life or rights in any way?
Fascinating! Can not believe you're idiotic vitrol! It's not your right to give or deny anybody their"rights!" If someone wants to get married it's none of your business! Why do you care what someone else does that you will never meet or know?? I'm so proud at raising my adult son to one of the enlightened along with myself! Too bad it takes generations to accomplish but this will eventually be too! Spread love & acceptance not hatred & biggotry!
Sure spread love and "accept" what YOU want only and the hell with everyone else right? Is that what you teach your son? Also if it's no ones business, right...then none of you idiots would be posting anything and we would never see this in our news...right? So along with your nice retarded speech, maybe you should go back over it and point out the "key" idiocies.
Blah blah blah I have nothing better to do than troll a Gay-related story blah blah
=3 guy then why are you here? Why don't you go get a life?
Chris Martin: One could easily say that religion has made society worse. I mean with all these priest and "god loving "people hiding behind their religion and all after they have done horrific, unbelievable acts. Its easy to point the finger right? Bottom line if it doesnt concern you and it doesnt directly affect you why should you say that "in god we trust" blah blah blah. People like you bring so much hate into the world, you force what you believe on others and your religion makes you choose something even if you yourself dosent believe it it right. I have a friend who loves abd cares for me, we have been friends for years, and she has plenty of friends who are gay and it doesnt bother her, BUT because of her religion she feels obligated to vote against gay marriage because she is afraid of going to hell. What kind of world is this? Ill tell you, a world where people like you cant mind your own business. A world where people like you would rather see gay people killed on street corners. A world that forces beliefs on others, a world where you have nothing better to do than to pick and choose which religious beliefs are ok to overlook and which beliefs are unforgivable. Since when did you become god? Since when did you get to determine which beliefs are forgetable? Bottom line mind your own business.
Britanny....point 1..I never said I was a Christian or even religious, did I? I was pointing out a FACT, look at your dollar bill please. Why use something that has a symbol printed on it, that YOU and many others don't even believe in? It makes you pretty much a hypocrite for life...and what do you mean, doesn't affect me? It affects EVERYONE you twit. Young, old, stupid, sane, beautiful, ugly..I pointed out a sever offense...and you idiots, who only believe what YOU want, and are FORCING your beliefs on us who want to live a decent quiet life..without PEOPLE PROMOTING THEIR ISSUES AND PROBLEMS OUT IN PUBLIC....causing battles in society....and if someone happens to disagree, you label them as "haters" "bigots" ...a million other little names which you find on Myspace and Facebook...or hear from your friends probably... Actually it's really none of YOUR business...why are you here..you could care less about any of these issues...
Here here Mr Martin... you are 100% correct. If nothing else, we should be heeding the motto's printed on our money... I mean... it HAS been a tradition since 1957! In fact... I think we should start legislating MORE tidbits from Leviticus... Please add "Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed." and "Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material." to your list of items that are just as detestable as gay relationships. I can only assume that you are against war, the death penalty and give a majority of your fortune to charity... as we wouldn't want you to appear hypocritical, and only cherry picking bible verses that align with your bigotry....
ChisM Please explain to me how a gay marriage would affect you. Seriously I would like to read you response?
" It is a fact, that this nation (United States) was founded on the belief in God, and since we have taken prayer out of school, society has definitely gotten worse. "
Point 1 – The US was most certainly NOT founded on the belief in your god, or any other gods. It was founded on the principles of the Age of Reason and the Age of Enlightenment.
Point 2 – You fundiots (fundamentalist ldiots) need to get a better grasp of cuase and effect. I can easily turn your statement around and state that our society started going to hell after we added "under god" to the Pledge, and "in god we trust" to our money back in the mid 50's to pis.s off the commies.
Let's do a Nationwide Poll on if Chris Christie should be jailed for social injustice forever, or released.
Do it online, so the whole nation can vote on his Freedom.
If the Nation decides he should be Jailed – throw him in jail forever.
Willing to take that gamble – Christie?
Human rights should NEVER be up for popular vote!
The "real" God would be proud of Washington & NJ for doing the right thing. Too bad NJ has the devil posing as governor at the moment.
No actually quite the opposite.
Someone please tell me why do you want your personal bedroom tales to be recognized by the rest of society. and when others may not agree they are looked down upon. God tells us in romans 1 that people will get outside of the natural ways and do all kinds of ungodly things with themselves. you either for doing the rt thing or the wrong, we cant serve 2 masters. should we recognize crack smokers, killers, or anybody else that thinks what they are doing is a civil right. peace and love to all..
Please, spare the world your bible quoting nonesense. Pull yourself out of the muck. Go to college, a university, and get an education. Stop eating hamburger helper. Born again christians are the most condeming and judegmental people in the USA. You people are HIPOCRITES like no other. Racist, bigoted, war mongering cretins. And you tout your religion around like a weapon. SHAME ON YOU.
Blonde, very soon you are going to find out that the Bible is not nonsense, and i feel very sorry for you, cause someday you will stand before your creator and be held accountable for your actions. What are you going to say to God then, Uh your a fairy tale? No one told me about you. You will have no excuse.
Who said anything about bedroom details???? Get your mind out of the gutter.
I hope your not African American. It would be sad if you are.
Would someone tell me why these Bible-quoting fundies rage about 'morality' on any LGBT-related story, but when a story comes out about divorce, they're completely silent? Anyone?
Terrell –
Point 1 – The US is not a theocracy. Neither your god, nor any version of any god has legal standing in our laws.
Point 2 – Whatever your version of a god, or any version of any god, wants, needs, desires, or demands, is irrelevant – because of Point 1.
Point 3 – If you do want to live in a theocracy where your god is in charge, I'd recommend Iran. Your problem will be that your cousins, the Muslims, really obey the commands of your god, while you Christian fundiots thumb your nose at his commands.
Point 4 – You don't have a clue about "natural".
http://trunc.it/k6z91 congrats New york
If they gay community wants to get married and be miserable like the rest of us married folks, I say let them!
That was the FUNNIEST post I read all day. OK... Back to work now.
Like!
http://bit.ly/yO6xR: nice congrats New Jercy
nice congrats NJ: http://34ae.ulinks.net
Gives a whole new meaning to that Cinderella story doesn't it? Just remember, just like with the civil rights movement, if it comes down to a ballot measure, it's going to be a no vote. California wouldn't even approve it without court intervention.
this is not a civil right movement it about man on man and so on
Bob, you kinda sound like an ape. Sorry.
Let's put your marriage up to a vote and see if you think it's a civil rights issue. Just for the record NO MINORITY GROUP be it black, women, latino, or gay, has a monopoly on the term civil rights movement. It can be used by any minority group fighting for equal rights. Try reading once in a while, you might learn something.
i don't know why we have to stand on deck with our lifejackets on....oh, and turn on the heaters in the room....i'd like a cup of tea when i get back.
Couldn't be prouder of my beautiful state right now!
Yes welcome to the "Gay City". I think getting their flag on top of MY beloved Space Needle was quite enough. It's not your state, it's my state, and if you cause any more division in this state or any other state, you might as well call South America home !
When you you made owner of Washington?...another CNN slip up. Congrats!
Oh, and by the way....you do realize that you are acting the same way you describe the people you are attacking. Only the people you are criticizing are not claiming ownership of the state...only their lives. Maybe if you were a little less on the offense you might be able to offer a rational solution to the issue. Or you might realize that if this is a Boolean issue (meaning yes or no), there can only be one outcome and both sides will fight to win. Which makes the discussion, not arguments and not rude comments, valid and necessary. From the post I have seen...you will never convince people of a different belief that your opinion is the better opinion when you are on the attack and you attack them on a personal level. Good luck in your efforts and God bless.
No comment at this time
we ALL need to get our heads out of our ARSS and take back this country and frankly IM NOT LOOKING AT GENDER IM LOOKING AT THE SAFETY OF THE U.S. WE ALL NEED TO STAND TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS COUNTRY STRONG ITS EASIER TO BE KIND THAN IT IS TO HATE! MOVE ON AND PROTECT YOUR COUNTRY BY JOINING TOGETHER BECAUSE THE ENEMY OF THIS COUNTRY IS AT YOUR BACK DOOR RIGHT NOW!
Looks like Christine needs some votes and some money from the gay kids. "Loving gay couples......." Since when did these people become loving? The believe everyone that disagrees with their lifestyle is their enemy and out to attack them. So when did they become "friendly and loving" ? Their behavior is a few steps above criminal sometimes...
Sounds like you have made "them" an enemy by generalising about them.
You harbour such hate Chris. I pity you and those around you. I really do hope you one day experience the love you claim others cannot experience
@SherryF, you talk about how dreadful and how marriage has never been "sacred" (between a man and a woman) but how wonderful it would be for gays and lesbians to enter into this "wonderful union". Are you drinking Sherry to contradict yourself like that? Have you asked yourself or ANYONE that supports gay marriage, if they also support healthy relationships between men and women? Hello, I didn't hear you Sherry....Sherry are you still there? LOL! No you aren't there because you , along with the GLBT communities and their "female" college cronies ONLY support one side, THEIR TRENDY SIDE. It looks better to post on Facebook, how one supports gay marriage, and love and peace...it's makes you more popular to go along with the other side, because you couldn't hack it on the straight side.
You seem so angry.
Be careful how you label yourself. Just because you "moved" or "transplanted" here, and let' call here Seattle, since the only people that support these kinds of things are the trendy minions that pop up in Seattle and NOT the rest of the VASTLY LARGE state, does not mean you are a Washingtonian, nor does it give you any special rights in our state. People forget where they actually come from, and this leads to confusion about what rights they do or don't have. Seattle and the rest of Washington are NOT the dump of a city that the gays and lesbians left in California. ( San Francisco) A place where it seems okay to defecate on oneself and no one cares because it's falls under "The Freedom to Crap Yourself Act". Seattle is becoming more and more a psychological ghetto every day, with peoples issues ruining every community.
Perhaps because sixty percent of Washington's population live in the Seattle metropolitan area.
Most likely when God raptures his church AIDS will then become the number one killer in this world.
If your mythical "rapture" were to happen then according to your book of fairy stories it's god who'll be doing the killing and wiping out all humanity by cruel and unusual means
As a straight guy.... I fully support this. It is as stupid of thing as separate but equal was. I see absolutely no difference between this , and white only drinking fountains. I don't enjoy seeing 2 men making out, so I exercise my right not to look. Id probably pay to see some hot girls making out but what ever they know I would which is why I wont see it. All in all a law banning 2 people who love each other from doing what I can is anti american. It is nothing more then religious garbage. It is time our gov separated church and state. If religious nuts want to condemn their kids for being gay I suppose they can but the gov cannot.
Exactly!
So finally this world is coming to an End!
..Wait, you think that the USA is the entire world..? May i report that gay marriage is legal in many countries outside the US, and our worlds have not come to an end. On the contrary – in my country crime and unemployment is low, salaries are high and health-care is free. And married same-gender couples simply go about their lives, a part of society like everyone else. I would suggest you broaden your spectrum, because your nick is sadly unsuitable.
Exactly..this is why america has been blessed so long...until now..We are starting to reap what we sow. Its sad!! A world where a man is no longer a man of what he was created to be.
I knew I'd find YOU here again...Lilemonster..let me remind you that the "rest of the world" is not the "United States" and what is or has been n effect for other countries, does not mean it's automatically going to work in the United States. American gays and lesbians are the furthest thing from wanting equality, this has only been a personal battle from what a few want and how they use their lifestyle to damage and affect others...I can only assume this does not happen in other countries, but in America it does. We the people, are sick and tired of having to wake up and deal with someone else's issues, when we have larger problems to consider. It only causes resentment for these people that they need to be considered first in a dying economy.
Where do you live, Scandanavia? Sign me up, I love my country but I'm sick of all the stupid, apathetic people who live in the U.S.
Also, ignore Chris Martin, he is obviously suffering from some type of mental deficiency. I pity him.
Congratulations to the great state of Washington! We in Iowa salute you! Slowly the US joins the 21st century. It's shameful that Europe beat us to the punch (and gasp! the world hasn't ended!!) but considering how long it took us to get rid of the asinine DADT........anyway, kudos to you!
Jesus said the last days will be like the days of Noah, and we are living in the last days, man's wickedness is increasing. Remember to Christian believers, that the Lord knew this was going to happen. God is still in control. soon the believers in Christ will be raptured and then the wrath of God will come upon this earth. Believe it or not it will happen, probably sooner the we think. Also i believe who ever gets voted in office this year they will not have the answers to our nations problems, the only person that will seem to have the answers will be the Antichrist and this world is being made ready for him he is waiting in the wings.
Telling people that the world is going to end in violence is a self fulfilling prophecy for christ-ians. That's why they keep starting wars, because a god "predicted it".
You silly people still blame only Christians, and forget about the Jews, Muslims, Buddhist, and Atheist..that don't prefer to walk outside under their freedom and see two guys licking each other. It's only about all the Christians, and religious people in general, right? I mean....let's face it, if you have no belief yourself, it is easy to see how confused you might be as well..
That was said in1033 and we are still here. Stop crying wolf.
Folks like you said the same thing when they began electrifying the rural parts of the US. They saw it as a unnatural and unneeded convenience brought to them by the devil.
I'd say if a god had a plan for people it would not have just left a book written by people as a guide. This is like me having a 5yr old write a book of behaviour for other 5yr olds. BTW the bible doesn't end in a pretty way, so what was god's good plan again? Congratulations to the consenting adults who will soon be able to legally marry in those states.
So, is my comment going to be posted sometime tonight or what?
Why are sonny people here comparing civil rights to gay rights? They are so different . I think gays try to attach to that cause for sympathy and to hopefully get support for their cause. But c'mon, civil rights are about people's rights to be people living in unity in one nation under God. Gay rights is a perversion of morality and Gods plan for humanity from the garden. A woman formed from Adams rib. A helpmate and compliment to him. Man up you guys. And women stop being so afraid to be a woman. It's not so bad. Like it or not, it's who you are. Humble yourself before God and stop trying to change the rules of the game. Your cheating yourselves out of Gods best for your life.
Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realize that you intimately understood the workings of the lord. I thought no man understood that? I also thought that jesus said "judge not, lest ye be judged"
Who is judging? And you too could know intimately the workings and heart of the Lord. Read His word . It's very clear His desires for His creation.
So I assume you don't eat pork and have never had s e x outside of marriage. He was pretty clear about those things too, no?
And BTW, civil rights apply to everyone (including gays) and are not based on religion
It's clear in the old and new testaments . It's an abomination in His sight. It's the strongest feeling he shows against people. He brought the flood in Noah's day because of it. He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. And yes even more nations were utterly destoyed because of it. Read the word. Look at history.
Lol first of all "the word" is not an accurate history and no credible scholar would pretend it was. Secondly, Sodom and Gomorrah were burnt down for inhospitality to strangers, and finally, none of this matters because we don't live in a theocracy. I hope you feel good when a gay kid kills himself, because he does it because of people like you
The best part of this is that all over the place there are republican conservative evangelicals weeping and gnashing their teeth. Religiosity has no business in public policy because not all have the same religion or beliefs. The GOP/T needs to get out of people's bedrooms and mind their own business. This will soon be the law of the land.
I'd say if a god had a plan for people it would not have just left a book written by people as a guide. This is like me having a 5yr old write a book of behaviour for other 5yr olds. BTW the bible doesn't end in a pretty way, so what was god's good plan again?
"A woman formed from Adam's rib"
Your words have lost all credibility.
Oh my gawd, are you serious? It's a "perversion" based on your personal beliefs yet you and others expect others to comply with that. Not everyone believes in a god or a deity; others people don't believe the bible is literal or even real (me, for one!); and some pick and choose what they want to follow.
Have you only had intercourse for the specific attempt at procreation? Are those who are found to be infertile doomed and punished because of it for the rest of their lives? Do you stone people?
Congratulations to Washington!!
I had lunch with the imaginary sky fairy just last week, and he told me it just drives him up a wall when someone claims to have talked to him and runs around talking about what he said.
Telling someone who they can love and marry is indeed a civil rights issue....If you can't understand that, then I would advise picking up a few books because you have a mental impairment that needs fixing.
That means no shrimp, no pork, no mixing meat with dairy, or wearing clothing of mixed fabrics.
" A woman formed from Adams rib"
Except that this would result in "Eve" having an XY chromosome pattern instead of the female XX pattern. "Eve" woulld have been a dude. Adam was boinking himself.
Congratulations! You have officially made a mockery of the Message of Christ's *unconditional* love. I'm sure He's just thrilled about your 'witness.'
I'm thinking the word "marriage" like many words in the English language has two meanings now.
1. A union join by God.
2. A union joined by Law
Just pick the meaning that means the most to you and press on!
The Libs are trying to be-little every aspect of the Christian lifestyle by infiltrating every sacred part of it and destroying the morals of society.
But marriage is a legal contract now. I'd be fine with returning it to a purely religious matter, as long as marriages weren't recognized by the government, and then churches could marry whomever they liked
When has marriage been "sacred"? When wives were traded off like chattel? When they were considered less than cattle and for the purpose of having as many kids as possible regardless of her health? Maybe when a divorce wasn't possible to easily obtain no matter how many times she was physically, mentally, and emotionally abused? Perhaps when she marries the old guy for money? Or maybe after the divorce rates went up over 30%?
Refresh our memories exactly when "marriage" was sacred? It's a wonderful thing for two people who want to enter into it, regardless of their genders.
Hope Washington gets 100,000 signatures so this decision can go for a vote with the people. I don't care about the issue either way, but I do think the Governor over stepped her bounds by ignoring the people of her State.
We don't vote on civil rights, genius
I think that the reason so many straight people are against gay marriage is this.....They are afraid that gay people will show them how to do it RIGHT!! Just saying..
I'm thinking you don't know a lot of gay males? A 3 month relationship in gay world is long term.
Going on two years now and have already out lasted three straight marriages. Thanks for the sentiment. I don't know if I would like the serial monogamy where I promise one person to love them forever and then dump them for someone hotter and younger... Wait what is that fat blob on stage? Oh that must be your moral defender Go get em Newt!
To "Shame on You":
Murder = wrong, because it hurts another intentionally.
Lying = wrong, because it is cowardly, dishonest, and hurts everyone with relevance to it.
Stealing = wrong, because it is not okay to take what belongs to someone else, unless it's necessary for the theif's survival.
Beastiality = debateable. I need to look into it more to know where I stand.
Child abuse = wrong, because it hurts another for the sole benefit of the abuser.
G@y marriage = ok, because it is love.
You have made my case exactly! You don't know right from wrong! You would paint other areas gray to justify your own lack of conviction to stand against other things obviously wrong. You would justify stealing and possibly beastiality ! You call gay marriage love. I don't have to prove its wrong and laws won't make it right. Your soul will stand alone before God and you will answer for what you did first for Him and then others. You are in defiance to His plan and in your ignorance leading others to be as self destructive and self centered as you are!
Your morality is based on religion, and in this country we don't enshrine religion in the form of law
Shame on you said, You have made my case exactly! You don't know right from wrong! You would paint other areas gray to justify your own lack of conviction to stand against other things obviously wrong. You would justify stealing and possibly beastiality ! You call gay marriage love. I don't have to prove its wrong and laws won't make it right. Your soul will stand alone before God and you will answer for what you did first for Him and then others. You are in defiance to His plan and in your ignorance leading others to be as self destructive and self centered as you are!
Amen brother.
Wow, someone's tinfoil hat has come loose...
I am from NJ! I am against gay marriage! I am also against murder lying stealing beastiality and child abuse. Abortion is wrong too. But what part of common decency and being God fearing and Bible believing don't you understand ! I can only say bow now or bow later but if you sow to the wind you will reap the whirlwind !
Wow you're a complete idiot.
"the fool says in his heart there is no God"
What say you ?
I you had any idea of who God really is and where he is...Go ahead and quote away.
I guess good for you – It is so christian of you to be so understanding and accepting of other people. Maybe you should keep your thoughts to yourself – what is it about equlity under the law that you don't understand?
ou don't have to have a gay marriage if you don't want one. That is called freedom. Unlike forcing everyone else to a 3000 year old code of rules. Such rules that many have which have changed because they fell out of favor.
God: Thou shalt stop overusing the exclamation point on your keyboard. Oh and stop being a hateful little moron.
Man + woman = love
Woman + woman = love
Man + man = love
And if you don't live in WA or NJ, who cares if you disagree? These are OUR states. This doesn't hurt anyone, and this doesn't concern you.
I, for one, have NEVER been as proud to be a Washingtonian as I am now, and I will be D@MNED before I let these newfound rights be taken from my friends and family. Kapeché?
...let me be Frank here...
"Hi! I'm hateful, foolish, bigoted, and possibly a racist...but I'm a man of God, and I'm concerned about morals"
** face palm all day long **
All you people who're against gay marriage – I hope I can count on your support when I spearhead a movement to nullify all marriages that have not produced biological offspring within one year of marriage. Furthermore, any couple consisting of one man and one woman who gets married after my law goes into effect, but do not conceive biological offspring within one year shall be put to death for attempting to defraud God. Are you with me?
And divorce is right out, as is pre-marital s e x
They only see what supports their cause.
I hope I can count on your support when I spearhead a movement to legalize polygamy, beastiality, and maybe even incest. Everyone has the right to live and love how they choose, right? Who are we to discriminate against anyone.
This issue is not about any of those things; slippery slope arguments are inherently weak
Is legalizing bestiality the only way you're gonna find prospects for marriage? Wow, that's sad.
Actually it is about all of these things. If I'm reading everyone's comments right then there should be equal rights for everyone even if you disagree with their lifestyle.
Its a sad day in America when "MORALITY" gets in the way of our PROGRESS!
Liberalism is a DISEASE.
...and what exactly is moral about treating other humans as second class citizens?
I suggest you upgrade your morals to a new version, because the outdated version you are using is corrupt!
...and liberalism is a word....not a disease!
What weird and wacky school did you go to?
**face palm **
i guess you have a very serious disease! It's called CRI! Cranial Rectal Insertion! I think you got it on your last space voyage to Uranus! The only sad thing is that it's taken so long to get this far! If one truly beloved in the Principles of the Dec of Independence then one must support gay marriage. The US is a SECULAR nation, not a christian one as defined so eloquently in the 1796 Treaty of Tripoli. Hey if you don't want to marry a gay person don't! But then again, if you are speaking from some religious point of view, do you believe in the bible? Do you take every word literally? Or do you just like to pick and choose what you want? Have you read Leviticus? With all the abominations there, we all should be dead? Look at Newt? What a hypocrite! Preaching family values!! From a serial adulterer, and the wife isn't any better!! Let's not forget that he was excoriating Bill Clinton yet at the same time having the affair with the tramp now!! Many of the repub's have a serious disease called HYPOCRISY!
Well said Mikey!
Of course, if you want to blame someone for the push for gay rights, look no further than the people who spearheaded the civil rights movements of the 50s and 60s (especially if you're into slippery slope arguments).
It's a sad day in America when bigotry and discrimination is called 'MORALITY'. Sorry, but you're on the wrong side of history.
Man + woman = love
Woman + woman = love
Man + man = love
And if you don't live in WA or NJ, who cares if you disagree? These are OUR states. This doesn't hurt anyone, and this doesn't concern you.
I, for one, have NEVER been as proud to be a Washingtonian as I am now, and I will be D@MNED before I let these newfound rights be taken from my friends and family.
Speak for yourself PERVERT. Some of us still have morals in this country!
I agree with you Frank, This gay marriage thing is of the devil and he is working over time, but soon God will put him where he belongs and that is in the lake of fire.
Frank can you just go die so that the rest of us can progress?
Frank, if bigotry and hatred are what you call "morals" then you very well may keep them to yourself.
Wonder how Snooki feels about this.
The religious kooks must be really bummed by all the equal protection going around these days.
Equal Protection?
Does equal protection protect children from perverts who want to have se x with them? Does equal protection protect those who want multiple wives? Does equal protection protect those who want to have s ex with animals? After you get everyone comfy with this perversion you going to move on to polygamy, incest, child mole station, bestiality? ITS ALL IN THE SAME CATEGORY WITH SAME SE X MARRIAGE. Are these last perverted things getting in the way of your liberals PROGRESS!?
Has nothing to do with religion, it has everything to do with being a civil, respectable society, keep your perversions to your self like you have done for the past 200 years.
WHERE DOES A RESPECTABLE CIVIL SOCIETY DRAW THE LINE!?
Frank if you are actually too stupid to understand what consent is and who or what is able to give it then I suggest you jump in front of a moving bus
You have any idea how many lunatics there are in this world that would consent to the sickest things you can imagine? Does that give these people the right to force whatever sick things they may dream up on the rest of society just because the two of the CONSENT TO IT!?! I DON'T THINK SO BUDDY! Not in a civilized society. If YOUR too st upid to see that then YOU need help! I would like to take a national vote on this topic and let the majority RULE! And put an end to sickening conversation!
What planet were you raised on!?
Actually several states do have legal beastialty. What pretzel logic do you have that lumps the lives of two men or two women with those that molest children? Still even more states sanction marriages among first cousins. So where do you draw the line?
Sorry Frank but we don't vote on civil rights. BTW, Canada and many European countries have legalized gay marriage, and their civilizations are not exactly decaying. Get over it
Matt – Obviously at bestiality, because animals can't consent. As for incest I don't really care, and frankly I don't there is much demand for incestuous marriages, except maybe in the bible belt.
-Drew I agree. But my bigger point to that was that there are some that like to paint their world in rosey colors and are entirely blind to reality. I guess it is a problem of only getting a small fraction of the facts and then being offered the chance to make an "educate" choice on the issue.
Drew – "Matt – Obviously at bestiality, because animals can't consent. As for incest I don't really care, and frankly I don't there is much demand for incestuous marriages, except maybe in the bible belt."
Drew – do you think about your arguments or just recite them – your argument is that animals can't consent, so that's where you draw the line ? Do you have a pet? So, that's kidnapping according to you, because animals can't consent. Of course animals can consent, they do it all the time.
No problem with incest? Glad I'm not your kid . . . or brother.
its only a matter of time until all 50 states allow it, so get used to it
Jo Jo- first of all domesticated animals are by definition incapable of caring for themselves, so it is natural for humans to take care of them. Also, you took my incest comment out of context, I was referring specifically to consensual incestuous marriage.
Drew –
No problem with consensual incestuous marriage? Glad I'm not your kid, or your brother.
By the way, most cats and dogs, if released, can handle themselves in the wild more than decently. Many cats and dogs, seem to prefer getting away from being kept by their owners. Consent? Red-herring argument, my friend.
Basically, you're simply enshrining in law "what Drew thinks should be the case" without reference to anything other than "Drew feels in his heart that its wrong". Using sentiment to redefine a fundamental pillar of civilization is not a good recipe for social policy, I'm afraid.
actually really sad scared and sorry for you
I am a very proud to be a religious kook. But when i am happy in heaven and your burning in Hell, who is going to be the kook?
The fact this even needs to be voted upon, be it statewide or at a state house, is pathetic. The right to marry is a human right as defined by the UN and adopted by the US. Voting on a human right is just wrong.
Only 2 things are going to happen due to gay marriage being legal:
1) Gay people will get divorced
2) Idiots will rant and rave about what God thinks (like they have any clue!)
Other than that....nothing!
bingo!
Lies all lies, gays will pay taxes as a married couple, some will raise kids some kids will be good some will be bad, some will lose their jobs others will be promoted....same as you and me......But you are right with each step the god fearing hill billy trailor park crowd will sip on their PBR and "B-tch" how bad the GLBT make this country.
Yep. Hill Billy trailor park. Because no one could oppose gay "marriage" unless they lived in a trailor park. Maybe you should change your name to "Utterly Ignorant of History".
People used to think desegregation would ruin the country. Now most people view the language and arguments that were used in the 60's as absolutely ridiculous and racist. In 50 years people will look back at the movement for gay rights and wonder how our society, based on freedom, could be so rigid over changing a culture that marginalizes and oppresses Americans.
This is SO not a winning proposition for Conservatives anymore. All you have to do is just look at Fox"News".com nowadays. Now whenever there is a development on the gay rights front, they bury it down in the nether regions of their homepage. You never see it as a headline, and you never see silly "YouDecide" polls on gay rights like you used to. They've seen the writing on the wall, and they want to bury the issue like they want to bury Newt Gingrich. But they're like putrid zombies that keep coming back to life and now scaring the beejeezus out of their creators.
You show your ignorance. Did you hear how Bill O'Reilly vigorously defended Ellen DeGeneres as a spokesperson for Sears? See what you want to see.
Sorry, for J.C. Penney.
OMG you mean even Bill O Riley gets it? If ever the canary died in a coal mine Bil O Riley would have stood around talking about how he needs more canarys before he could figure out anything. Thank you for your input you have now capped the point about Fox News IF Bill O Riley gets it the whole world has known for decades....LOL
?? So it's even "worse" than imagined? Not only will FoxNews no longer try to stir up the pot with some ridiculous "Should legal anal sodomy be imposed by liberal elite legislatures? - You DECIDE" headline/poll, they actually are defecting to the other side?" GAME OVER.
Yup, they're going to look like pretty big ***holes in the history books (as if they didn't already)
No, the guys marrying each will end up with those!
test...
It's disturbing how much hate there is on this thread. Love is love – be it between a man and woman, man and man, or woman and woman. If you don't personally support LGBT rights, fine, but the LGBT community is made up of human beings. Who are you to deny a fellow human to their right to love each other?
"Don't hate nothin' at all except hatred"-Bob Dylan
Well said.
Man on man is ok? Woman on woman ok? Man on woman ok? Man on animal Ok? When will it stop if love is love.
FAIL. you can't have 'love' with a non-sentient being. but thanks for making the santorum argument!
How about the hate filled loons. Is that OK?
See Buck, us normal people who want a respectable civilized society are right wing lunes... Get it? And the ANYTHING GOES OR GY's or whatever, WHO CARES liberals ARE RIGHT? Makes perfect sense in a civilized society right?
Liberals make me sick. What losers.
Buck – Since when did nonhumans come into the picture? I still don't understand your sentiment, people are people.
Frank – It is fascinating how much ignorance can be spewed in one comment. I'm almost positive places like New York, Iowa or Massachusetts are "respectable civilized societies" – but I guess your idea of civilization is different than mine. I consider a respectable society one that treats all humans equally, unlike you
Yeah Noseycjr, maybe in another decade we can have society like the move MAD MAX! Ya know... ANYTHING GOES! No rules or morals, Sc reew anything you feel like and flaunt it in front of children!
I honestly just can't tell if Frank is a troll or not
Wow with your demented logic, you also need to support polygamy and consentual incest.
Fine by me, it's none of my business
Wrong Drew, IT IS YOUR BUSINESS! ITS YOUR COUNTRY! Dont you want to live in one were there are rules and morals or do you just not give a sshhiii t!?
Well I certainly don't want to live by your rules Frank, according to which it is fine to hate people who are different than you
LGBT are made up of people. Yeah, so are Leper colonies.
I have no problem with leper marriage, personally
THE SUPREME COURT IS IN THE PROCESS OF DECIDING THAT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTH'S.. WHY CAN'T THESE PEOPLE WAIT FOR THE SUPREME COURT RULING ? CALIFORNIA PRO 8 IS BEING DECIDED BY THE SUPREME COURT AS WE SPEAK...WHAT EVER THEY DECIDE WILL BE THE LAW OF THE LAND...I PREDICT THAT THEY WILL RULE IN FAVOR OF CAL PRO 8.
Hopefully not, but this same Court believes corporations should have the same rights as American citizens.
You're not quite accurate:
"The measure's supporters plan to appeal the 2-1 ruling, but they haven't said whether they will ask the full appeals court for a rehearing or go directly to the Supreme Court."
You mean the same supreme court that recently ruled that corporations are people and super PACs are super duper? Worst Supreme Court Ever!
Jose: The 9th circuit court made a ruling. The Pro-8ate group will have to decide whether to appeal and to which court. They can appeal to the full 9th circuit court or to the Supreme Courts. The Supreme Court would will have to decides whether to hear the case. Some are saying that the 9th court's ruling was so narrow, that the Supreme Court may not take it. The ruling pretty much said a majority vote cannot take away the existing rights.
Thank you Gepids someone who actually pays attention to current events.
JOSE a couple of things. 1. The U.S. supreme court has not even decided to rule on it and may very well send it back down to the state supreme courts which is their right to let state law decide. 2. You may be right if the U.S. Supreme Court did decide on this issue I will bet you $10 K (of Mitt Romneys money) it gets over turned just like prohibition did.
Way to go Washington. One more win for equal rights. One more win to keep religion out of law. You can join whatever church you want. You can read whatever sacred text you want. Your church can choose to marry whatever couples they want. Just don't try to tell other couples that they can't get married. If two people love each other, let them get married. It doesn't affect my hetero marriage and 3 kids whatsoever. It's sad that some people live in such baseless fear.
Does anyone remember in the 80s when right wingers rallied behind the motto, "Equal Rights Yes, Special Privileges No!" when they opposed non-discrimination laws aimed to protect gays and lesbians in housing and employment? Funny but now they wouldn't dare use that motto because their hypocrisy would show they would have to support equal rights in marriage for gay and lesbian citizens.
Paul Harris
Author, "Diary From the Dome, Reflections on Fear and Privilege During Katrina"
Very illuminating point Paul, it seems that when it comes to social equality issues the Republicans haven't been on the right side of history since they ended slavery
Congrats Washington and NJ.Regardless if I don't like or disagree with someone, as american citizens we should all have the same legal rights. Just because I'm Catholic and someone has a different faith or belief, we shouldn't deny them the same legal rights as citizens. That's the difference between a civil marriage and a religious one. This country doesn't need any more discrimination.
im all for gays having the same rights as a married couple, but they should not call it marriage. marriage has been a tradition for thousands of years and the rules should not be changed.
So has slavery
Right, that's why we still need he Pope to sign off on divorce.
Traditions have no room for change and progress. We live in a world that is fast ever changing and traditions need to catch up and keep up.
why not call it what it is? Do some research on marriage. Many times it was done to bring 2 families together and keep properly in the family. Had nothing to do with love. And let us not forget, where do you go to get a divorce??? To court! Marriage is a contract (something should be explained to Newt!!). And there are no objective reasons why gays can't marry, only bigoted ones.
This is what the church and the GOPTea Party have brought to America as one of the most important issues of the day. Trying to convince our fellow Americans that there is a second tier to relationships one that is less equal than 1 man and 1 woman. The try to convince us that the scientific study evolution regardless of scientific methodology is wrong. They try to teach us the world is only 4000 yrs old despite geological and carbon dating (more science) is wrong. They stand firm that despite laying off and moving jobs off shore for 10 yrs straight that multinational large corporations are "job creators" despite giving them 10 + yrs of tax breaks they have created – 7- million jobs. They try to convince us that we should take the teeth out of the EPA so business can compete despite all the evidence that shows EPA regulations and enforcement have helped to clean once dirty air and water everywhere in America. They try to convince us despite our ability to look a thermostat that global warming doesn't exist. Look at all these lies the GOP, Tea Party and many churches support......ignorance and lies is this what we believe in in America?
Thanks for the Liberal talking points. You working for the Obama campaign? I apologize for being ignorant, and clinging to my guns and religion. Definately not as much of a human being as you are.
I own guns and go to church every Sunday my church doesn't feel it has the right or moral high ground on this one. BTW I noticed you couldnt dispute one of my points you could only call me a liberal and make a snide remark and runn away...typical Tea Bagging coward.
WOW
What a well reasoned fact filled thought provoking rebuttal.
You sure disproved his post word for word.
In fact you changed my opinion on gay marriage.
/sarcasm off
Despite calling me a coward, I'm still here. You still haven't explained how it's equal.
Frank said Whatever, go pack some fudge. Im sure your FATHER is real proud of you.
I wonder if God is proud of him. I guess he will find out when he stands before the lord on judgment day, I know i sure wouldnt want to be him when he does, because hes going to get his butt kicked and it wont be by human beings.
I want to enlighten "Real History" and others in this board who stated that the church still beleive the earth is only 4000 years old. Did you know that a Beligian priest is responsible for the Big Bang Theory? Look it up...His name is, Monsignor Georges Henri Joseph Édouard Lemaître
Imagine that. 2 more states with gay marriage. No zombie apocolypse. No riots. No nothing. Dang, let it be legal country wide already.
P.S. I am a straight married man.
It's only your side that riots when they don't get their way.
"I think that this is not an issue that should rest solely in my hands, in the hands of the Senate president or in the hands of the speaker or the other 118 members of the Legislature," [Gov. Chris Christie] said. "Let's let the people of New Jersey decide what is right for the state."
So why do the people elect legislators or a governor in a representative democracy? So those legislators or governor can chicken out and pass the buck back to the people on any difficult or controversial decisions that come before them?
I'll take the courageous legislature and governor of Washington anyday. Under Christie's scenario, we'd all might still be living with slavery.
indeed! if you leave it up to popular opinion, all you get is a tyranny of the majority. (though, on this topic, general public opinion supports it anyway)
What public are you talking about?
That'd be the 'general' public, as I said. Public opinion is at about 50% support now, and growing. Google it, sheesh
Well said. The conservatives have no real argument besides bigotry, so let's pass the buck on anything that we don't like and looks like it's really the right thing to do. Let us hide in our little dark hole of unreality, with liberty and justice for the few and the wealthy.
hope it never comes to pa
I hope you never leave PA..HA
Why Corey ? Will it affect you in some way if two people that love each other get married ? If it didn't hurt anyone in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont, plus Washington, D.C. or Oregon's Coquille and Washington state's Suquamish Indian tribes, I can't imagine that it will hjarm anyone in PA ! OH should I mention the countries that have legalized it.
It is the people's right to decide what values are imposed on society, particularly marriage. Marriage is so pivotal in the formation of the basic fabric of society, and stating that not having both a mother and a father as the same as one that does will have long-term repercussions. Just because one's values come from religion does not diminish its voice when compared to one that comes from "non-religion". The legislators power comes from the people, so ultimately issues this important should be up to the people, the origin of all democratic state powers. Marriage is a privilege and carries many responsibilities. This is why we don't just let anyone get married to whomever.
According to you, schools shouldn't have been desegregated in the deep south, because it was against people's sensibilities
Here ya go Drew, read some facts on the segregation, see all the progress they have made!
http://civilisationis.com/usa/racewar.htm
Oh wow you are a racist too, how impressive...
Actually because someone is making a moral judgement based on religious tenets it does invalidate their opinion becoming legislated as it violates the first and fourteenth amendments.
If this is America, which last time I checked it is, then religion should not play when making laws. There is the whole separation of church and state issue that the founding fathers were quite specific about. Then there is that whole all part that guarantees equal protection and rights. When to committed people can not share insurance or can not see a dying partner in the hospital that is not guaranteeing the same rights to all people.
Hear! Hear! So once all the old people die off and the young ones vote gay marriage in (like within the next 5 years), I don't want to hear anymore whining from "Christians" on the subject.
@Jo....It is the people's right to decide what values are imposed on society....
If that is true, then why is BO forcing his very expensive obamacare and add-ons down American's throats? If that is true, why to elected officials force THIER idea of what is right down American's throats? If that is true, why are politically appointed judges at state, federal circuit, or the SCOTUS forcing THIER thoughts down people's throat? All of these AGAINST the will of the people as prop results have repeatedly shown. I guess all these dictators need to be overthrown.
Ignorance is right at home with you! The USA is a republic. Do you truly understand what that is? As for "Obamacare, get your facts straight. The individual mandate was touted by none other than the Heritage Foundation. Do some real research and you'll see that's what the repub's were touting in the early 90's! And when you say "very expensive" even the CBO says it will reduce the deficit! My insurance rates went up over 100% under the republican administration. And I love the BS about govt involvement making decisions, and death panels. Insurance companies have been coming between patients and Dr's for a long time. Insurance companies have been making the decisions on claims, denying many for outrageous reasons. Check out the Llewlyn Group owned by UnitedHealhcare and there attempted $300 mil settlement with the govt! The judge said it wasn't enough! These guys made billions but artificially string prices for reimbursements. Btw, in a republic we protect the rights of the minority against the majority! Under you reasoning we could still have slavery, segregation, and so many other abhorrent wrongs! Read 2 things by Thom Jefferson – the Declaration of independence and tJ's Va Stuate on Religious Freedom! Did you know TJ'S wrote his own bible? Lastly, the judges. The only activist judge is the one who ruled against you! If you really want to be enlightened, read Ted Olson's brief in the 9th Circuit Prop 8 case. Ted Olson (whose wife died on the 9/11 plane that went down in PA) was Geo Bush's Solicitor General. He's conservative. He argued in CA for gay marriage!! And he makes a great compelling case for it!!!
This is why we need to separate religion from gov't even further, if these religious zealots had their way blacks would still be slaves.
Right. It was the SECULARISTS/ATHEISTS who freed the slaves. . . take your biased head out of your God-hating butt. Those must be different ones than those who murdered tens of millions of people under Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, etc.
Why can a ship captain perform a legal marriage and it is okay and recognized by all you church folks?" Why can a couple get married drunk off their butts in Vegas be recognized by your churches and our states. If marriage is so important to our social fabric why does you have to get a marriage license from the state? Marriage is defined two ways one legally and one spiritually most of the time these two can conincide peacefully until a Jew marrys a Catholic then half the family hates someone but at least the STATE recognizes your legal rights. I wonder what happens when an (woman) Atheist Marrys a (Man)Pagan (Witch or Druid)? OH MY ! lets deny their marriage too just because they aren't like the rest of us! This is exactly where it will go if we allow churches to interfere with the law of ALL people.
Ha! I'll be you watch THE BACHELOR.
And the moral destruction of the U.S. continues. What an absolute sickening disgrace.
please die, so society can progress.
Your name says it all.... PERVERT.
Progress where? Into a deviant perverted world of anything goes!? I guess your where raised by couple of drunks with the morals of an alley cat.
Hey Frank.....insulting and name calling isnt exactly a sign of a morally healthy individual either.
Who cares Frank your hypocritical church would STILL recognize that marriage of two drunks with the morals of an Alley Cat...what does that say about YOU and your beliefs? Kettle meet Pot.
I believe people like you made the same comments when slavery was abolished, when segregation was abolished, when the prohibitions against inter-racial marriage was abolished, etc.
So very sad that people like you exist. If you really feel that way about the country, feel free to head to a country more aligned with your views – like Iran, or Afghanistan, or any number of religiously centered countries.
I'm not quite sure where the valid comparison to slavery can be made, but I give you credit for trying.
Here! Here! All hail the moral destruction of the US!!!!!!
I agree with you Frank this country is going to Hell, It wont be too much longer when God pours out his wrath.
Ready for the long fight ahead.
With gay marriage expanding the lifestyle envelope and Muslim immigration I wonder if the goats in America are getting nervous.
You really ought to consider repeating the 5th grade, with such spurious arguments.
It appears some people on this board have a thing for goats. Not sure why animals come into the picture but some people have interesting ideas about what they want to marry. I'm not one to judge – unlike others.
Goats have been nervous since the first Greeks came here and when this country was settle by us Scottish folks the Sheep became nervous....and the Germans made the cows nervous and the Irish made everyone nervous and the Israelis made camels nervous and the Chinese made the dogs nervous.......I find that most edible animals get nervous around hungry or horney cultures......pick your poison !! LOL
Why do so many Lesbians have mullets?
Why do bigots ask such stupid questions?
Actually, I'm a fan of the mullet, it cracks me up! I don't hate any hairstyle.
So anyone who objects to this sick deviant perversion / sodomy is a bigot? What does that make you? Right? Can anyone object to sick, immoral, twisted behavior and not be called a bigot? I dont give a dam what you call me, these people are mentally ill and make me sick, keep these twisted perverts away from me and my family. We dont condone SODOMY in our household.
Actually its the fact that you would call it sick and perverted that makes you a bigot
Whatever, go pack some fudge. Im sure your FATHER is real proud of you.
My father is an intelligent man without a hateful bone in his body. And I'm straight, btw
Hate to burst your bubble, but lots of breeders and religious nuts "pack fudge" as you put it.
Not sure what that has to do with gay marriage, or any marriage for that matter.
Personally, I have no problem with the churches keeping marriage all to themselves, as long as no government recognizes marriage as anything other than another religious rite. I.e., no special treatment, no special tax status, no special inheritance treatment, nothing. The State should not be involved in marriage, period.
Please forgive Frank everyone, he won't be ready to come out of the closet till he molests one of his cousins and gets thrown in jail and has to face he is actually gay.
Will someone please tell Gov. Christie what a legislature is for except to represent the people? Shall we have them people vote on EVERY SINGLE THING that that do, or with the ones on which you don't agree?
This is a little more fundamental than "every little thing", don't you think. Changing the definition of marriage to something it has never been before?
When the representatives DON'T represent the people's voice, then it's the people's right to step in. It's not practical to do a referendum on every issue, of course, but if an issue as significant w/ wide ranging impact as redefining marriage, then YES, people should be able to vote.
What happens when a majority of Americans support it. A recent Gallop poll shows that support in the US is a majority in favor of Gay Marriage.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/21/us-gay-marriage-poll-idUSTRE74K0B520110521
Except that gay marriage effects no one but gays. So it doesn't have a 'wide-ranging effect'. It has virtually no effect on heteros.
jimmy carducci's magical insight "Except that gay marriage effects no one but gays. So it doesn't have a 'wide-ranging effect'. It has virtually no effect on heteros." Do you actually think about the regurgitated talking points you send out into the world. Nah, much easier to just spout 'em. Islamic societies allow "polygamy" (as did Mormon societies in America, ancient Jewish societies, etc.). And, certainly, many societies did and do allow marriage to children. Do polygamous marriages or marriages to children affect no one but those in them? Does the marriage of any two, seven, or 1,000 adults, kids, etc. affect NO ONE but the ones in those marriages? Seriously, I mean, as a couple of other posters mentioned, you have to be educated OUT of your common sense.
Gov. Christie says that the issue "should not be decided by 121 people in the State House in Trenton." Um ... excuse me, but isn't that how state laws are *supposed* to be made in New Jersey?
Love conquers all. This is wonderful news. Congratulations Washington State for standing up for EQUALITY. All states should pass Marriage Equality.
Don't know where you learned about marriage, but it's about a little bit more than "love". That's like saying "war" is about "hate". Oh wait, you probably believe that.
What about war isn't hate?
Lets hope they dont start falling in love with the farm animals! We will back in court fighting on their right to scr ew Cows and Horses in public! WHY NOT!? ITS A FREE COUNTRY RIGHT PERVERTS!?
Sick Bas stards! WHERE DOES A CIVIL RESPECTABLE SOCIETY DRAW THE LINE!? Or are we no longer civil and respectable?
"Or are we no longer civil and respectable?" You certainly aren't Frank.
I don't think you are civil, or respectable. Guess we should ban you.
You bring out such spurious arguments.
Just define marriage as a union between two consenting adults. No need to get all huffy about pedophiles or bestiality.
If you are married, then I would say we should add an intelligence test to prove you are at least average in the IQ dept,
and a test to make sure you are able to reason.
Hey Frank – are you comparing tax-paying citizens to horses and cows?
How off the subject is that?
Perverts? Seems to me that straight white males have that one all sewn up. They make up the majority of rapists, pedophiles, and governing politicians.
frank really must be perverted. He surly can't see the forest through the trees! I take it that you think you are a god fearing person, a believer in the bible (the best selling fairy tale book ever written by men), yet you don't "live" by the bible literally? Does that make you a hypocrite? Well of course! Hey as preacher kept telling me: love the sinner, hate the sin. Your perversion is based on ignorance and bigotry. Look the words up and check the definitions. Why do you keep bringing up farm animals? You want to marry one? Btw, I mentioned earlier, even Thom Jefferson didn't believe in your bible, he wrote his own... Taking out what he thought was BS.
Why do these bozo's who want it put on a ballot think they can win? Oh because they will sink a ton of money in to an ANTI MARRIAGE campaign that makes it look like Gays and Lesbians are taking something away from other people or down grading the signifigance of marriage. A church has the right already to NOT marry any couple they wish. The states are merely acting on behalf of human rights. If a gay couple want the right to ownership of property after one or the other dies who cares? If a lesbian couple want the right to adopt or visit each other in the hospital when one or the other is in really bad shape....who cares? If these same couples want to risk the same taxes, the same responsibilities as any other married couple let them. The only people who are against gay marriage are people who are afraid it might make them come out of the closet. So the GOP party of NO will once again fight its hardest to deny rights to tax paying Americans while they give subsidies to corporations, while Citizen United (a GOP case) gives corporations the rights as a citizens or a person, the GOP will fight so millionairs don't have to pay the same taxes as the rest of us but lordie they won't lift a finger for the sick or the poor. If you vote for this on your ballot vote against corporate oppression lead by the GOP.
It will hopefully come to Utah. Can't wait. LOL
I agree with you, Utah needs to grow up along with the rest of the country
+1 on utah lol i love how you said grow up with the rest of the country but remember utah = mormon
yeah right, it will never happen.
Gay Coupling is NOT Marriage.
Sorry but it is in Washington, and soon it will be everywhere!
No it wont. The Majority (Normal People) will put an end to this twisted perversion. Dream on liberal.
Well once all the old people are dead... my generation is almost entirely for gay marriage
Oh the times they are a changin
If marriage is so sacred then divorce should be illegal.
You obviously live in the State of Denial...
It is if the state legalizes it. Sorry, you can't have laws that just benefit you...
So how is gay coupling any less marriage than a hetero couple that fight, beat and cheat on each other? How are they any less married then the worst or the best of hetero couples? Does god love them less? Should they as citizens have less rights than the rest of us because of love? Really I want to know where you stand on this issue!
He probably does love them less as he said man shall not lay with man!
Funny that anybody against it can give no logical argument as to why gay marriage shouldn't be allowed. The best they can come up with is "God doesn't like it." So? Let God sort it all out.
How about men and women are different Joe T – or, did you get educated out of that fact in college? And, the ideal scenario, the only one which should be enshrined in law, is that a child should be raised by a mother and father. Like the Woody Allen joke, "Two mothers? Very few of us survive only one mother." (God bless all the mothers out there, including mine).
So the purpose of marriage is to have children? Silly me, I thought it was about love. I guess we won't be granting marriage licenses to infertile people any more.
Deathwombat – typical response. How about answering the question – are men and women different, or not? You think the marriage is just about "love" – you probably have a Ph.D. in Sociology
@deathwombat – duh, the purpose of marriage in nearly every religion and civilization over the past 5,000 years is to define the family unit. Love is part of marriage, but not the ONLY reason to marry. I love my grandparents, my parents, my own children, my brothers, my cousins, my uncles & aunts, my neighbors, my pets, my friends – BUT I would NEVER marry any of those people I love. Are you sick?
You do realize that the bible is big on polygamy, don't you?
Actually Chuck, a lot of cultures through out history have allowed incestuous and polygamous marriage... not quite as sacred as you thought, huh?
Regardless of what some so-called "Christians" and "family values" people delude themselves into believing, gay marriage is coming, just like other anti-Christian moral decay, such as racial mongrelization (Loving v. State of Virginia), tyranny of the unstable female (19th Amendment), and Judaic/Islamic conspiracy (1st Amendment). Rant and rave all you want, I can't wait to moral decay the cr@p out of you.
I will take rule of LAW over what the stupid masses "feel" about any issue.
Take your referendum and shove it!
It is your job and my job to make sure the Masses understand the situation. Get out and speak up for GLBT if you believe in it.
No way in hell!
Must be nice to be so much smarter, kinder, more loving and more enlightened than everyone else. Dammit, if they would just stop those hick barbarians from voting.
It's only fair. People who are against it – that's fine, I'm against things I don't believe in, but I wouldn't deny people happiness based on my disagreement. this is great. Treat people with dignity and respect and leave "religion" out of it. YAY!
I have no religious problem with gays marrying – I have a problem with it PERIOD! Its sick. Look at those 2 FAs in wedding dresses. How ridiculous is that? I wish to my sole they would all go back in their closets and quit demanding everything.
Really, George? "FAs"? How much does YOUR wife, or you for that matter, weigh? (Oh! and BTW: next time, you might want to wish to your "soul" rather the bottom side of your foot that you just so conveniently put in your mouth.)
Really, George? "FAs"? How much does YOUR wife, or you for that matter, weigh? (Oh! and BTW: next time, you might want to wish to your "soul" rather the bottom side of your foot that you so conveniently just put in your mouth.)
How does it feel to be in the minority? You may be in Texas but as big as it is, you are wayyyyy behind. Feel that jab, that's your pride taking a punch. Man up and deal. I bet you'd be terrified to know that your very HEALTH may have already been in the hands of a Gay or Lesbian? Jab #2....
Hey George!
If you don't like Gay Marriage, I suggest you don't get Gay Married.
Hell, if I had my way I'd make fat guys in cowboy hats illegal...but it's really none of my business what fat guys wear, and it's none of your business if two people who love each other wish to get married.
bitphr3ak – Why limit it to two people? If you can change the definition of marriage from one man, one woman, than I can change it to "any number of persons who wish to marry may do so". I love it that you folks can't see the door you're opening, even as you walk through it (or maybe you just don't care).
Hi George – This has you pretty frightened, doesn't it. I imagine you were frightened when the slaves were freed, AND allowed to vote . . . and again when women were recognized as citizens and were able to vote, too. Women of all colors voting. Terrifying!! Oh – and that School desegregation . . . bet you were convinced that Armageddon had come. And what about the the first time you tried tacos or lite beer? Sheesh.
george i completely agree with you. gay marraige is bitterly digusting and should never happen in this country
I have asked this question once today with no response let’s see if this George person can answer it. How dose two women or two men being together married or whatever affect you? and WHY do you care?
George, the only problem you truly have is with your outdated, self-serving mind and your way of thinking. The Inquisition fathers would have been most proud of you! But if it was done your way by the similar in thinking, minorities would have not ever gotten their rights and gays are in the minority too. Tell you what, if you don't feel LGBT people deserve to come out Openly and Proud, even though they are full tax-paying citizens of this country, by denying them this basic right that all straight people enjoy and take for granted, lets pass an Immediate national Law to exempt gays from paying any taxes in any form. You and others who think like you should not need their money, which numbers in the BILLIONS at all.That appears to be answer here if they can't enjoy the same rights as any other tax-paying citizens!
Thanks to both Washington and New Jersey. Marriage equality should be the law of the land. All tax paying citizens of this country deserve the same rights. Otherwise, give us second class citizens a big tax break!
Congrats Washington and NJ.Regardless if I don't like or disagree with someone, as american citizens we should all have the same legal rights. Just because I'm Catholic and someone has a different faith or belief, we shouldn't deny them the same legal rights as citizens. That's the difference between a civil marriage and a religious one. This country doesn't need any more discrimination.
Good for you Mateo – I wish more folks with spiritual teachings were as enlightened as you. You are one of the few that understands. Kudos to you!
Proud to be a Washingtonian
I am with you on that one, Drew. So Very Proud.