Way back when, Minneapolis got about three free gay newspapers (paid for by advertising). Being free, I picked them up and read them. I even had a cartoon I drew that was in one of them for awhile.
Suddenly out of the blue there were "Gay Marriage" articles. And it was because the Republicans wanted to ban it. I had no idea where they got that from because it really wasn't in the gay community dialogue at all until the Republicans brought it up. The gay community's reaction to it, at first, was. "Why would gays want to get married and be like those unhappy straight people." And stuff like that. It took the gay community a while to warm up to this thing the Republicans wanted to ban.
But it got the topic started and it didn't go away, and now the articles are (we still have one gay paper) we want what everybody else has!!! Now we want the right to marry. Gay marriage is the main political topic.
Why the Republicans started this whole topic? I have no clue. Was there a gay activist in San Francisco talking about it (that the gay community itself was ignoring) that scared the Republicans? Was it to scare and distract straight people from something? Were gays just the scapegoat of the season and that's what they came up with?
Regardless, it happened, and it launched the gay marriage topic. The Republicans opened something that will never be closed. Soon it will happen, because prejudiced like that is unconstitutional.
And I'll have to thank the Republicans for getting the whole ball rolling in the first place.
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But the topic really wasn't on the radar until the Republicans forced it. It got forced so big that now it'll never go away and it's all we're talking about.
So now, Yay gay marriage!
I think since Marriage is a civil union, it is a civil right and gay people have civil rights. I am tired of hearing about the sanctity of marriage, with the amount of adultery and divorces, where is the sanctity?
If I were Gay, I would want to marry my special person and just because I am not Gay doesn't mean I can't understand that. People are people.
So, "Why would gays want to get married and be like those unhappy straight people." ?
The breeders? Sheesh, and they say straight people are rude towards gays... As a wife and mother I highly resent your statement and tone.
Peter, too funny! An interesting article as always.
Aren't we gays getting full of ourselves, nowadays - ha ha.
Married people have so much going on legally that's just assumed and automatic. Gay couples have to piece together legally what they can.
And all in the name of trying to look busy.
"Breeders'... never heard the term before though it's part of my last name.
"Breeders" is usually what we use as a comeback. I guess you didn't need any comebacks, Ron!!!
I'm sure that there were many gay and lesbian people who wanted to get married, for various reasons, before the issue became a political card.
As for the benefits with civil unions, we know that separate is never going to be equal, and institutions are looking for excuses to deny benefits. I've heard of cases where people who were told they could name their same-sex partners beneficiaries, but after they died, the partners got a different story. And then there's immigration--there is no way for a US citizen to sponsor a same-sex partner to live in the US.
Re: "Breeder"--I find it more funny than insulting (I do have children). It reminds me of Richard Pryor trying to insult Chevy Chase back in the old SNL skit--the two sets of insults just don't carry the same same weight....
More hype. LIVE, LOVE AND LET EVERYONE DO THE SAME.
I think marriage is really about security. Being able to get benefits, see your spouse in the hospital, parental rights... If those things aren't applicable to you, I can see how it doesn't matter.
To reply with "Breeder" it brings up that human overpopulation has LONG been ruining the rest of nature, and causing its extinction (and now global warming) - so it's righteous, actually.
But they wouldn't bite like I wanted. Alas, I can't control the population at Gather like I were some zombie master.
Raise an issue that gets people stirred up emotionally, and they will not think. The more emotional you can get them, the more power and influence you can exert over them. Here's another thought. Some of this hoopla seems to be about spouse insurance and benefits, which ties people into a healthcare system that is killing us.
Follow the money is all I can say....and see what sewer it flows into....sh*t only goes downhilll.....
Yes, the Republicans could have sent us gift baskets - what jerks!!!!
I now realize they should thank us - not us thank them. I see my error (there's nothing like NOT getting a gift basket to make me see my error!)!
If you would like to see a real live lesbian family. There are photos up on my gather page : )
I worry the most about our children, their legal status as our children even though they are our biological children ( with a most gracious assist by an anonymous donor). We also do not have access to federal benefits such as Social Security benefits from our spouse.
One thing that was mentioned before by Aniko R. It is not that we (the gay community) did not want marriage we just never thought it was possible. Thinking that Gay Marriage would have a chance in hell of ever happening seemed pure fantasy until we were all talking about it.
Peace.
El Homo, get off my mom's case. Her mommy claws came out in defense of me. She's an amazing woman, her strength is beyond what you can even imagine. To call her a whiner or hater only proves your ignorance to those of us who know her.
Peter, I know you know I don't judge you. I hope that you know I have always read what you write, rated and commented kindly because you fascinate me. And because we share a psychic love of cheese popcorn.
They were successful in doing so.
As to why I want marriage rather than the piece-meal bits -- there are a lot of reasons. But the number one reason is my retirement. If I die first, my partner of 30 years will be living in poverty because I was the major breadwinner and he cannot get my (federal) retirement.
John
Interesting to note that most of the EU nations aren't having such problems with this, and that some of the most religious EU states (e.g., Spain) have long-ago legalized gay-marriage. Funny those Europeans have more sensibilities than us Americans. :p
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Every gay person knows the anger Rob expresses. We have all suffered immensely and still do. The first time we gays danced at a public nightclub in Memphis, the police came in and arrested everyone on the dance floor. It was disco and dancers weren't even touching! To borrow a phrase "We've come a long way baby."
Perhaps in my life time, all gays in America will be able to marry legally, as is the case in Canada and most of Europe--even Spain and Germany. You know--the civilized countries.