A gay sponsored and themed debate??

Yes. It will be on your LOGO channels at 9pm Eastern Standard Time. Don't miss it. It should interesting and informative.

That's 9pm Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, August 9th.

Joe why do we need a gay themed debate. Can you answer that for me I am a little confused. Maybe I am just a believer in an American themed debate

I think its very necessary, for the past several elections gay americans have been used in elections as a platform for hatred so some idiot can pander to the religious-right. Times have changed and people arent going to tolerate it anymore, the Constitution says that everyone is created equal.. If you want to insult a segment of america to pander to a bastard segment who arent even really americans, the religious right, then you will without a doubt perish in the elections, most americans will not tolerate this hate anymore.

Whoa there true american. I did not insult anyone. I just wonder why we have to have these little themed debates. Are we not all Americans and maybe our President should discuss all ideas.

Gays and lesbians are often overlooked in politics, ModernDay Publius. I think it is just grand that our concerns are being included in the debate agenda this year. You have to remember that next year it will all be forgotten. They are really just getting us out of the way by always being able to point to tomorrows event and say, "See we did something." We are often overlooked and the other party uses our plight against us. This is something American, my friend. Gays and lesbians pay taxes and are citizens in their own right.

No, right now its a good idea to pose some questions relating to gay americans. Just get some tough questions out there for these candidates... its already weeded out 2 Democrats, Dodd and Biden...when I heard they "werent going to be able to attend" I knew right then that these guys are not progressive enough to run United States in the 21st century.

I dont disagree with you, I believe that the Government should just get out of the marriage buisness. It is a religious matter. Any two people should be able to go get benefits as partners from the government. Whether it be people in long term realtionships, gay people, or a heterosexual couple that has been married by the church. Why should the government make moral decisions for us.

Agreed, True. I think it is gutsy of the others to agree to this debate. People are really polarized around our lives.

As far as gay marriage goes: Gays should be able to marry since that is the system. Our relationships should be recognized equally to heterosexual relationships.

Democrats just want Frank and Bubba on the cover of bridal magazines on our newstands. And it bugs them that many voters disagree.

My two dads... My two moms.... ah... two are better than one. Let's promote the abnormal, dysfunctional lifestyle to our kids. Better yet, let the kids be raised in this sexually militant environment.

Moderated by Jessie Jackson,
the only one who will have and use a bigger vocabulary

I agree Don, I have some gay friends and they are good people but we have had this discussion. I still feel that marriage should be between a man and a woman. One of my gay friends was supporting Kerry, I told him, do you really think Kerry is going to do anything for the gays? Kerry, is Catholic and not to many religious groups support your lifestyle.

"issues facing gay Americans have been drug into the spotlight by conservative politicians"

Are you kidding? Does it ocurr to you that it is gay groups bringing attention to themselves?

Actually, Don: it was the Republicans who raised the issue of gay marriage. It inflamed their base so they used it. Now, however, the issue is paramount to gay equality in this country.

Does anyone think any good will actually come of this debate? Call me cynical but I think it is nothing but a dog and pony show for those candidates who feel that being in touch with the gay/lesbian movement will help their candidacy.

I'm equally as cynical, James. They will probably agree that ENDA is worthwhile and disagree that gay marriage is acceptable. More of the same, I say but I wouldn't miss it for the world. There could be a surprise.

I agree with the idea of "themed" debates on all sorts of issues and sponsored by all sorts of interest groups (hey, maybe there will be a CEO-rights themed debate). The key is to have a long enough period of time set aside to fully explore the issues, and to force the candidates to present and defend their viewpoints and/or proposals rather than give them just enough time to get in their pre-prepared sound bites without substance. We could use some real discussions/debates rather than the dog-and-pony photo-ops we've had so far.

"Actually, Don: it was the Republicans who raised the issue of gay marriage."

No... it was the gays who tried to pass laws for marriage. Thus, Defense of Marriage act.

Every Christian knows that homosexual behavior leads to a depraved mind. Rom 1:27-28. And many Christians wonder why Democrats want that group in their base to define marriage for the rest of society.

Wow! Where is this going?
First, I agree with your definition of the marriage being a religious program. Hey All!! Consider this point! Separate church and state? I think we go too far with that but if we are going to discuss it let us remember that you go to a church for a marriage and to the government for a civil union.
OK? Equality for all. Governments can give civil unions to anyone and everyone but they cannot interefere with the church and mandate who they include in their marriage. If a church wants only with a man and woman that should be the choice of the church, not the state, they cannot interfere.
While on the subject I do not believe gays selected the gay lifestyle. I feel it is forced upon them. Want proof? Listen to Neal Boortz when he asks you to describe the exact moment in your life when you decided to be heterosexual! Can't do it can you? Gays can't describe when they decided to be gay. It happened without their choice and they need some slack to cope with it. Who would purposely choose a lifestyle where you are treated so badly?
Just stay out of the military. The females do not want some male shoved into teir showers to lust after them-(Well most don't) and the guys do not want some gay shoved in their shower to lust after them. Give me a break. Well, give them a break too.

if only the over 1000 other rights that are also given only to a man/woman marriage were the very same as a man/man or woman/woman union, it wouldnt matter. but along with 'marriage comes special and separate rights. if one group gets rights that another doesnt that isnt fair. it isnt american. it is discrimination. it is hate. it is wrong.
all american regardless of gender should be able to have the same rights.