Miss OstrichWith Iowa passing a unanimous vote a few days ago, six states have now approved gay marriage: (in no order) Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. That makes almost all of New England (catch up, Rhode Island!) legalized for gay marriage.
DC and New York don't perform the marriages, but they do recognize a married gay couple as being such if they get married in a different state. New Jersey, Washington, and Oregon offer and observe same-sex civil unions, though I've heard New Jersey is on the verge of approving marriage and California is re-voting.
There are seven countries/nations that have legal same-sex marriage, such as Canada, Spain, and Sweden, and fifteen others that observe civil unions and partnerships.
What are your feelings on same-sex marriage? Why do you think the United States is behind on fully legalizing gay marriage while other countries are in full support already?
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Comments (96)
I support it definitely! I'm fed up with the people who try to bring it down and call it unnatural. I'm so tired of people being selfish and refusing happiness towards others!!!
When I heard about Iowa that first time I remember I almost started shaking with excitement. I couldn't stop moving because it felt like all the happiness was building up inside and I needed something to do so I wouldn't bust out dancing (Which I did anyways!)! And then I watched state after state start legalizing gay marriage. I couldn't be happier unless all 50 decided to approve gay marriage and Obama gives out celebratory weed to everyone!
Love is love. People should be able to marry whoever they want :).
Legalize it ASAP.
People are people and should have the right to their life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. If they are in love and happy, then why not let them marry who they want.
Completely ignoring my personal feelings on the matter, constitutionally speaking the reason the US as a whole hasn't 'come out in full support of it' is that this is a state matter. The US is the only country in the world that has this unique ability. States can (and SHOULD) decide for themselves whether or not they want to allow gay marriage in their state. Personally, I believe that abortion should also be a state matter, but that's another story. Another beautiful thing about the US? If you don't like the way your state is running things you can either run for office or move. Moving's generally easier and that's what most people pick. Trying to create a national law that forces all states to recgoinze and perform gay marriages is unconstutional. Period.
60-100 ,44 marry !?
I don't know if the US is necessarily behind, though it would have been nice had we been ahead...
I think all states should allow it. (:
I'm definitely glad to see this happening. It's only a matter of time until everyone comes to their senses.
I think churches are pissed.
yeah the us kinda needs to get with the program already.
I wonder if all nations in the world legalize gay marriages, what would it do to human population and evolution in the long run? I mean, come on, same sex couples couldn't produce a child naturally. What it'll be next - human cloning? Artificial wombs for the men? Penile construction for the women? Mixed-sex human hybrids?
@nitestar2@xanga - Even if they're not married, same sex couples STILL aren't producing children. Not all heterosexual married couples produce children, and you don't have to be married to reproduce in the first place.
Marriage isn't defined by our sexes... if we're marrying same-sex or opposite sex. Who cares, you're marrying the person because you love them. Traditions are always going to be broken, and in this modern world, people need to know that things are going to change even if they don't like it.
@nitestar2@xanga - Slippery slope much? Giving homosexuals the right to marry is not going to increase their numbers. Don't be an idiot.
What are your feelings on same-sex marriage?
I am in full support of it. MARRIAGE, not this "civil union" bs.
Why do you think the
United States is behind on fully legalizing gay marriage while other
countries are in full support already?
Because there are way too many people in this country who worry about what everyone else is doing in their bedrooms and even hate them for it. The aforementioned are also known as pathetic excuses for human beings.
New Hampshire hasn't legalized it YET, the governor still has to sign the bill and he's not 100% sure yet. It will probably still pass, anyway, if the New Hampshire Congress can veto the governor's decision. You're right though, California may be revoting on the decision in 2010, and New York and New Jersey are both working on legislation to pass gay marriage. I live in Rhode Island and I can tell you that no gay marriage legislation will be passing by here in at least another year. We have a Democratic Congress but there are still many powerful conservative/Republican figures in our government. With our Republican govenor Carcieri (although he is essentially not very powerful) ruling, gay marriage legislation will die. Along with the fact that our state is among the worst top 3 in the country right now for the economy, we have more dire needs to worry about. Thankfully we will have more accepting Democrats like Attorney General Patrick Lynch, Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts, General Treasurer Frank Caprio, and former senator Lincoln Chafee running in 2010. Legislation will pass through here at some point, but we'll be the only state in the region without it for a while.
It's amazing how many people have such a strong stance on legalizing gay marriage with very little understanding of the issue. It's encouraging to see that the "progression" of American Society in the hands of MTV's Rock the Vote. And of course, celebrities know everything about politics and society right?
This isn't a matter of love, or rights, or discrimination. Anyone is free to love whomever and whatever they want. Its a matter of completely redefining the most basic and fundamental unit in society. Its been like that for thousands of years not because people weren't enlightened like the Hollywood celebrities are, but because that is by definition what marriage is. In the same sense, why can't we legalize marrying mulitple spouses or marrying someone in your immediate family? What if it is "true love", isn't that not just as "discriminatory"?
The U.S. is behind because they have too many vocal Christians who care more about telling other people what to do than practicing the "love" that they're so fond of preaching.
I live in Canada, and gay marriage hasn't affected me as a straight person at all. I didn't have to become a lesbian and get a gay marriage just because they became legal. But it's nice to know that if I were gay, I would be able to get married and have all the rights and privileges that are afforded to straight couples.
pretty much sick of hearing about same sex marriage at this point.
Personally, I think it's weird. Legally, it seems that gay marriage should be constitutionally recognized. I just don't really think marriage should be of the government in the first place.
@wizexel22@xanga - Your argument reminds me of the people who were against making it legal for races to inter-marry
It's a matter for the people, not politicians, to decide so I'm strongly against the way gay marriage is being legalized. I don't trust the state to define moral behavior because the state will always define it in its own best interests.
Otherwise I barely care. Let them marry if they wish - I really don't see what it'll change.
@wizexel22@xanga - I agree