Why should you care that gays now have marriage equality, if you're not gay?

[Anonymous]

When the verdict came down in favor of marriage equality, the country errupted in debate, in celebration, in condemnation, in joy, in shock, you name it. Somewhere along my travels I was discussing this when someone asked me point blank, "why do you care about gays getting the right to marriage at all, if you're not gay?" Without skipping a beat I replied, "some 60 or so odd years ago, the same sort of question could be posed to a white man or woman about civil rights." Blacks during that time, and gays during this time don't need to convince other blacks or other gays that they deserve equal rights. They need to convince you to change your mind, your heart, and ultimately your vote. During the 60's a lot of people forget that gay rights activists joined hand in hand with civil rights activists because they thought of the civil rights issue not as a "black problem," but a human problem, one they could very much relate to in their own struggles for equality. This is absolutely the way I view the right for gay rights now and I will continue to stand up for love, because without love, what else is there?

[dangerDoge]

The main problem I have is that if anyone speaks against gay marriage, no matter what reasons they give, they are called a hater, bigot, whatever-- you name it. I believe each side should be able to state their opinion without having to fight an ad homonym hate argument.

Think back to chick-fil-a when they said "We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that... we know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles." He didn't say anything hateful towards the gay community, but rather he just said what he supported when asked. And everyone flipped out and starting boycotting Chick-fil-a. I want to be able to speak out and discuss my opinion without fear of being subjected to getting called all these names and "against love." I'm not against love, but I support traditional marriage.

Look, I have no problem with gay people one bit. My aunt is a lesbian couple and they are the coolest people in the family. I hang out with them and stuff. But I personally do not support gay marriage. I think that marriage should be between a man and a woman. People say it doesn't affect me, but it does. It also affects my children, children's children, and everyone in the country. That is why I care. (I can be more detailed if people are still saying it doesn't affect me).

And as for OP with the Civil Rights and gay marriage comparison, let me offer my take on that. Black people did not have equal rights. They couldn't marry who they wanted while white people could. Gay people already had equal rights. They could marry, man and woman, just like non-homosexual people can. They just choose not to because they are not attracted to them. The difference is that black people were restricted of rights while gay people wanted to expand the rights more. If anyone needs further elaboration please ask and I'll explain.

I understand the culture today is a John Locke world of "Don't tell me what I can and can't do!" But, still, while the Supreme Court rules gay marriage as acceptable, I must still disagree. If anyone wants to comment and disagree (as I'm sure people do), please, do so. I only ask that you don't start saying stuff like "what and idiot!" or "you're so stupid" etc. etc.

*braces self for the downvotes*

[Phoenix98]

I agree 100%, very respectful as well, we should be able to say we disagree with something without being slandered.

[myTake Owner]

This is the conversation if any with those of the opposition I was looking to have. When I wrote this, as you have written your own response, I did not come to bash those that didn't share my viewpoint. I will not however, except those that came here with the intention to spread hatred, false statements, and irrational fears that have no basis in reality. If someone wants to get their point across to the other side, whichever side you're on, you aren't going to get it by treating the other side or their viewpoints with disrespect. No one is going to hear you. I've heard your statement because you've made fair points as to why you believe the way you do. As I've mentioned several times today, we live in a country where we are lucky that we can differ on opinion and we don't have to agree 100% with everything and everyone.

[Jadekitten]

This is exactly what I agree with, that was so well-written. Especially the part about civil rights.

[dangerDoge]

@Phoenix98 @Jadekitten Thank you for the kind words. They do mean a lot.

@Take Owner Thank you for being respectful in your reply.

[KHaskins]

The problem in this country who think disagreement with someone is grounds for trying to destroy them. Brendan Eich is an example - the IRS illegally leaked a private donor list of supporters of Prop 8 to a liberal activist group, and they responded by staging protests outside his home and workplace which ultimately cost him his job.

Yes, you have the right to speech and assembly. But just because you can legally pursue a vendetta against your neighbor for disagreeing with you doesn't mean that, ethically, you should.

[prettyface]

Wow, that was great! Thank you for being one of those people with a respectful answer. Also I really like your point on blacks and gays for the civil rights.

[myTake Owner]

@KHaskins... what about all the anti-gay protesters who shout obesentiess and post signs spewing hatred at pride rallies and parades. How are they any more justified in their actions? There are always two sides to every story.

[areyaready4this]

Well spoken and truthful. You'd never make it as a politician lol!!

[Aud_Queen]

This^ I completely agree. Finally! Someone realizes the difference between gay marriage rights and black slavery. Perfectly said 👏👏👏

[falafelany1]

It's like saying that I don't care about the state of the environment because I won't have to deal with the extreme effects... my grandchildren will! I most certainly care about gay rights because they are people too-just as much as I am a person. So why should I be treated with more respect than someone who just wants to be able to be seen as a first class citizen?

[OlderAndWiser]

I am not opposed to homosexuals having the right to enter enforceable contracts but I resent the use of the word marriage. It is part of the liberal agenda to normalize things which are not normal, to tell people that they can do whatever they want without suffering consequences, and that liberals will ride in on their white horses to save them if evil conservatives don't pretend to love everything that they do. It is a subtle advance, a subliminal message, promoted by the liberal thought police.

I don't care what people do with their genitals or what places they poke them in, as long as they are behind closed doors and don't tell me about it. But don't try to make me think that homosexuals are just like everybody else. A group can be afforded equal rights without being treated as if they are identical with everyone else.

I expect that some liberals will respond to complain about my "horrible" beliefs. These will be the same liberals who proudly proclaim that they are loving, tolerant of others' beliefs, and they promote diversity. . . unless you disagree with the liberal agenda, in which case they will engage in character assassination and sham techniques.

[myTake Owner]

You say here, "A group can be afforded equal rights without being treated as if they are identical with everyone else." I'm confused here... what are "equal rights" again?

[thatkaruguy]

take owner here's an example of what he's saying. an orange has the right to be called a fruit because it is but dont try to make us think its an apple just because its in the same basket.

[OlderAndWiser]

@thatkaruguy Thanks, that's exactly what I'm saying. Men and women can have equal right under the law but everyone understands that men are different than women.

[Nobodycares]

I don't think he's saying "Throw gays off buildings". Equal rights under the law, equality of opportunity, but not outcome.

Attempts to make people identical have resulted in tragedy in the past.

[Nobodycares]

Equality is a word like 'freedom'. It entails multiple things, and stirs multiple emotions, so there's no simple definition. If you think it's clinically simple, you've probably been reading propaganda.

[OlderAndWiser]

That is a very basic concept. Can Caucasians give black people equal rights without convincing ourselves that there is NO difference between black people and Caucasians? Of course we can. Equal rights does NOT mean that we are identical.

[Nobodycares]

Yep.

[ObscuredBeyond]

Here are just a few of the multitudinous reasons:

losangeles.cbslocal.com/.../#.VY-bPqbBT5E.facebook

truthuncensored.net/.../

www.theblaze.com/.../

www.jewsnews.co.il/.../

spectator.org/.../dred-scotting-religious-liberty

www.dcclothesline.com/.../

www.facebook.com/.../?type=1

www.facebook.com/.../?type=1

www.examiner.com/.../republican-strategist-warns-media-to-push-gop-candidates-for-gay-reparations

And those are just recent examples. I have a library going hundreds of pages on Tumblr.

It is only the beginning of a far more sinister agenda, it affects everyone personally, it's in-your-face, it's never satisfied, it's spiteful, it's delusional, it's vindictive concerning its delusions, it's obsessed with power and control at any cost, it has shed innocent blood, and it is true to Michael Swift's manifesto 150%: Too much is never enough.

[areyaready4this]

Bravo sir, you have my respect and my hat is off to you sir!!

[ObscuredBeyond]

Thank you. But credit also belongs to my sources, who did a ton of hard work to find this evidence and back up what I'm saying.

[DodgersGM]

So much fear mongering.

Sigh.

[ilostmynewunicorn]

Pile of garbage.

Acts of vandalism happen everywhere. It's kinda amazing really. Homosexuals mock Jesus = "WHAT A BUNCH OF MONSTERS HOW DARE THEY MAKE FUN OF MY RELIGION?".
Muslims go on a rampage and kill people who are mocking their god. "OH MY GOD SUCH MONSTERS WE GOTTA DEFEND OUR RIGHTS TO MAKE FUN OF OTHER'S RELIGIONS".

Not defending the terrorists by any means, but this show how far the hypocrisy of Christians go. Even the Pope had to bring this up to control the Christian masses.

The rest of the links are just garbage. I couldn't even read all of them. "Gay marriage HURTS ME personally". WHO THE HECK CARES? You're offended? In the words of the genius Steve Hughes, BE OFFENDED. NOTHING HAPPENS. You aren't going to be offended and wake up the next day "Hey honey, I got offended by gay marriage. Now I have cancer".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHMoDt3nSHs

Grow up

[nov_284]

Because the lomger we keep pretending that homosexuality is a normal, healthy expression of human behavior, the longer people are going to keep suffering. I'm not talking about some bs religious "cure," I'm talking about a legitimate scientifically sound treatment.

Homosexuality is more closely associated with throat cancer than tobacco use. There are colo-rectal disorders that are almost unknown among straight men, common among gays. The LGBT suicide rate, according to GLAAD is. 5-7 times higher than comparable straight populations. Half of all new aids cases identify as gay. One source claimed that curable STDs are contracted by gays 47 times more than straight people. I take that last one with a grain of salt, mainly because the source was biased, but let's say they were off by a factor of ten. Even if it's only 4x as frequently, I'd argue that it's a significant number. According to another study, self destructive behaviors such as cutting and burning were more prevalent among homosexuals, but the exact number wasn't given.

My point is that you don't help a heroin addict by giving them needles, or an alcoholic by giving them another beer, or by turning your head while they destroy themselves. You don't cure cancer by holding a gun to an oncologist's head.

Gays shouldn't be hated, they shouldn't be denigrated or beaten or driven underground. We tried that, and what we got was an aids epidemic transported to the states by a gay man, who then passed it along at his local flamingo bar, where it spread unchecked for years before anyone even realized what was happening because nobody felt safe admitting that they'd been infected by a homosexual partner.

Rather than celebrate homosexuality, we should find an effective, humane treatment to cure, prevent, or ameliorate the effects of what appears, on its face, to be a disorder that is anything but benign.

[pavlove]

I wish white people would stop patting themselves on the back for making the comparison of blacks rights and gay rights.

We'd rather not have our race compared to someone's sexual orientation as if they're synonymous. Black Americans have been through far worse than not being able to marry. Also, we had no way to hide from persecution manifested in violent racism. We had no way to hide our children from being hung, we had to no way of getting our sick adequate medical attention, we had no way of getting fair legal process, we had no way of rising from generational poverty in an economic system that was racist. The horrors of being black in America cannot be compared to what homosexuals go through, nor can the reverse be made true.

I am in no way saying one is greater than the other. Rather, comparing the two suggests a willful obliviousness to history. Why can't homosexual rights stand on their own? Why must homosexual rights piggyback off of black rights? Why are liberal heterosexual whites so determined to prove they aren't hateful that they have to group together two independent groups that they've historically hated and not even ask how those groups feel about it?

I can't speak for all Black Americans, I and many other Black Americans support marriage equality, others don't. However, I believe the majority of us don't want this comparison. We don't want our journey and our suffering compared to any other's. To do so engages with the horrific discrimination of a people in a way which is too fluid and dare I say carefree for such a serious subject matter. If you have never experienced racism or homophobia then discuss them with the caution and respect that they deserve. It is a touchy subject and should be treated as such.

[myTake Owner]

My point above was not to equate the entirety of slavery on down to the gay rights movement of this century, but to point out that a minority group of any sort is always going to have to seek the support and vote of the majority group if they want to see what they view as discriminatory laws, changed. You cannot re-write the history of my take to ignore the fact that gay rights activists did see the civil rights movement as a human rights struggle that they could relate to, and thus they joined in the fight. That's not to say they thought it was the same exact thing, but, well, the struggle is real for a lot of people, and I don't personally think that if you are fighting for a cause, and you need the help, the voices, funding, power, you can just ignore people who want to help you in your cause if they are genuine.

[MsCookie]

Thank you!!! Preach! So tired of the comparison.

[Nobodycares]

There's no serious piggy backing or conjoining of the issues, except by the SJWs. The comparison can still be made at a more mild level, if it only concerns marriage. Oppression olympics need not apply in this situation.

[pooper89]

I don't care and no I don't think I "should."

I don't condone gays marrying. Quite honestly I agree with nov_284. That it is a disorder. It is a disorder since we know that all species naturally seek to increase their numbers. As this is the not the case with mating between two members of the same sex, it does not follow as being normal. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain. There are many manmade free radicals in all household products that contain synthetic hormones. These are absorbed into our bodies on a regular basis and act as imposters to real hormones, thereby causing disruption. I'm not saying that this variable is the sole cause of a human having a homosexual propensity. It may be a cause among many many other variables.
Marriage was instituted originally so that there could be a family structure for raising children. A man and a woman come together and reproduce. That's not to say that two members of the same sex who "love" each other can't be effective parents. But a man and woman coming together to start a family is how marriage is defined (at least when one uses the word in a social science context)
Anyway, this is the truth. There is a sanctity to it. Two people of the same sex marrying is a violation of that? Of course. But when the government made it so that married couples received federal benefits such as tax breaks, people find it unfair. "If I love so and so, I should be able to marry him/her too because isn't that fair?"
Well if I proclaim that I'm romantically in love with my dog, shouldn't I be able to marry him and receive tax benefits also?

[Navier-Stokes]

I didn't bother to read all your post, but gays have been around since before those free "radicals" (I doubt you even know what a radical is) you mentioned were as highly concentrated in our environment as today. So this obviously can't be the reason.
Homosexuality is observed among animals as well. Buffaloes are known for this phenomenon... How do you explain that?
Gay marriage is between two *consenting* adults. Consenting. Do you get it? Animals can't consent to anything...

[EMMASSL]

Homosexuality is present in many different species in the animal kingdom. No, it is not a disorder. For one, same-sex couples are much more likely to adopt children in orphanages and those who are in foster care. Doesn't a child deserve a loving home? Shouldn't people be able to love whoever they want to love? Do you fall in love with someone purely based on what genitals they have?

Also, the whole thing about marriage being there as a structure for raising children is BS. Why are straight marriages that last 72 hours seen as socially acceptable, but gay marriages are condoned? Getting married to someone you love shouldn't be decided by anyone other than the people getting married because it's a basic human right. Oh yes, getting married to your dog, because a dog can understand/agree to getting married and sign all the legal papers necessary to do so...

[Afrochick]

I AGREE!

[MrDetermined]

Comparing humans to dogs, EPIC FAIL.

[pooper89]

@MrDetermined,

poeple have tried to sue their dogs. Don't think they won't try to marry them.

[gray_sailor]

Encouraging stable family formation is in everyone's interest. The sexual orientation of the couple should not matter. Now, it doesn't. Stable families have higher rates of civic participation. Stable families promote the healthy growth of children. It is good for young people who learn that they are gay to know that this fact does not shut them off from family life.

[JSmith925]

Martin Niemöller, a protestant minister, penned this during the rise of Hitler’s Third Reich. Although we are not suffering under such extreme fascism, I think the lesson still applies.

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Anything that affects a segment of humanity ultimately affects us all."

[myTake Owner]

someone already posted that. how dare you not read the 60 comments before your own before making a statement. (I kid).

[JSmith925]

Ooooops! Great minds think alike.

[Johnson123]

I might get hated on but i will state my opinion. I'am not a fan of gays or gay marriage. Now if they don't bother me, i won't bother them, etc... They can do what they want and that's ok. But my opinion is my opinion.

I say this to everyone and again this is just my opinion. I think marriage is to have a kid. In order to have a kid you have to quite literally stick the dick in the vagina to have sex. You can cannot stick a dick in a dick or a vagina in a vagina. There is a reason why a man has a dick and a women has a vagina. No i'am not trying to be funny, i'am simply stating the truth about our bodies. If you get married and not have a kid, what is the point?

Again just opinion. Gays can do what they want and do on, i just don't want them to bother me and i won't bother them.

I know i'll probably get a shit storm but it's my opinion.

[myTake Owner]

Thank you for your honest answer. One does not have to bash or offer up words of hate about the other side, in order to get one's point across. If you or anyone else doesn't believe in gay marriage, then that is your prerogative. I would hope to change a mind or two, but in America, I feel I am a much luckier individual to say that I have the freedom to even attempt to do so and share my thoughts openly. and to participate in forums like this.

[Johnson123]

My other honest thought about gay people is this. My biggest fear about them is sexual abuse and maybe rape will increase because of this. When a guy or girl rapes another one of the same kind (guy or gal) well that right there is why i dislike gay people. Not only in my opinion i don't think they should marry but also socially will rape go up? what will be the social impact of this? Again i can admit i don't like gay people but if they don't bother me, then i won't bother them. I know someone who has been raped by a gay person (when he was younger) and it still haunts my friend till today. That is my true fear and will it happen? will an increase of rape go up? I don't know maybe. You can call me crazy but it kind of makes a bit of sense since two negatives are attracting... Everyone is seeming to be in support of it and i'am very very shocked, like even some of my closest friends. Me and this one girl had a huge argument over it that almost boiled over and i have known her for 7 years.

[Johnson123]

It is very surprising how many people have either came out as bi, gay, etc... I mean withh all due respect my mind will never change on this opinion. I have also found out that usually people who do not believe in god say gay marriage is ok and so on. It just interests me on what is going on in north america.

[myTake Owner]

Well there's that. Probably should have known. I literally have no idea what rape has to do with two consenting adults who are agreeing to marry one another which is the topic here. Rape by its very nature is an act which involves one or more parties being violated by someone they do not consent to have sex with. I'm sorry your friend was raped by a gay person, but rape is not exclusive to gay people. Married men have raped or molested children, friends, neighbors since forever just as there are gay persons who commit rape, but that is off topic. Also to talk about gay marriage as something only religious people don't agree with is ignoring the fact that there are numerous people who are religious and believe in god and who are straight and/or married who have voted in favor of gay rights. Statistically there aren't enough gays in this country to single-handedly have passed gay marriage rights or measures. But of course, you won't care, so...

[Johnson123]

True i went off topic. It just came to me as a surprise how so many people support it and vote it. I know in some other countries gay marriage is prohibited and if found gay you get a death penalty or life in prison. But here in north america it's different, I don't know i mean i'm kind of bothered by it, but dont show it. They can do what they want idc, as long as it doesn't involve me, or even (never happened to me) those rally's they do, i would not like to be caught up in those.

[myTake Owner]

A gay person can't just come along and convert a straight person to be gay. The only people whom that happens to are people who are already gay so why straight people have this fascination with holding that up as reasoning for their fear is really strange. Gay people are going to marry other gay people as straight people are going to marry other straight people. The populous isn't in danger because straight people are continuing to have kids, something that has happened long before gay marriage. Your religion isn't at risk because religious people aren't going to stop being religious---you will continue to teach that this is wrong and what not, lessons you'll undoubtedly spread to your children, so the cyle will continue. So ultimately, what does it matter if they marry. You can't change a gay person from being gay any more than you can change a straight person. As you say if they don't bother you and you don't bother them, funny how nothing has really changed.

[Johnson123]

You seem like that girl i have argued with lol, our argument go very intense where i can't say what happen lmao, don't worry i did not hit her! But yeah. I mean do i support it no?, am i ok with it?(me personally no). Do i care if a gay person marries a gay... no.

Do you just support it?

[myTake Owner]

Gay marriage has no bearing or affect on my life, so why would I waste my time rallying against gay marriage when there are actual problems in the world with a serious impact on how I live? You have people cutting off heads and blowing up buildings, you have kids who don't have health care or food on the table each night, you have an education system which is bankrupting our youth, and the concern is two consenting adults wanting to marry each other? Really?

[Johnson123]

It seems like i pulled a string... i do agree that what you said is more important so i will say this. You are correct. I also think that instead of all this gay stuff in the news, why don't they put more bigger issues like you said... that jenner dude turned into a girl... everyone is going crazy but as you said how about children dieing? and all those other things. I just don't like how media i putting this gay stuff #1 and not more important things. So on that i do agree with you

[myTake Owner]

I did not wake up today and my whole life had changed because the gays down the street got married. That's just a fact. You have not "pulled a string." You asked the question point blank how I feel on the issue and I have answered it the way you have chosen in your own words to answer the questions I have posed to you. If I didn't want to talk about this issue I would do like most people on here and run off or block a person. We're having a discussion, period. Anyway, I don't control the media and the media tends to put into its eyes what the country is talking about or thinks they should talk about, and if the country is talking about this, then they will run with the story for as long as they think its relevant to the masses. We also have a choice as to what news we will watch or read, so if you stick to the mainstream all the time, most likely you will continue to find yourself disappointed.

[Johnson123]

yes true that

[tenofthepeaks]

haha.. people get married for various reasons, not just to have kids.

[Johnson123]

@tenofthepeaks true that. In my mind though, i would like to get married to have kids and start a family. That is for me though.

[gotc147]

This is funny, almost everybody who agrees with this ruling hasn't even read it.

I'm one of the few exceptions, I've been saying for a long time that not allowing homosexuals to marry was a violation of the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause, and looky here, that's exactly what the Supreme Court said. The ruling had nothing to do with some moral obligation or some such nonsense like that, it was a purely legal ruling devoid of emotion.

Though supporters of this ruling may not be so supportive of future rulings using the same precedent.

[Creole_Flavor]

I feel the same way. I don't have to be gay to feel that everyone deserves the same rights that I do. We had to have other people care enough for this to happen. This is the US this should have happened long ago. I've been embarrassed that my country has been battling this, where the damn freedom? The 14th amendment was being ignored far too long. Its a shame this basically had to be forced because everyone would not agree but I'm glad its legal now. I have relatives that have been with their partners longer then I have been alive, they deserve those rights, and won't have to move away to get married and have their union recognized.

[myTake Owner]

Absolutely, thanks for sharing

[seabubble33]

Because if I'm privilaged enough to be able to marry someone even tho I'm agnostic then anyone who wants to marry should.

[Anonymous]

, Being black and being gay are two different issues, you can't compare the two. Black is a race, Just like white is a race. First of all race shouldn't have never been a problem in the first place. No race is greater than the other, the reason so many people are having problems with the gay issue. Comes from what the bible say about man and woman, Theirs’s nowhere in the bible that states certain races shouldn't be together. I just wanted to state the difference in the two, since you compared blacks to gays. And why some people are having problems with this issue.

[tenofthepeaks]

what the bible says is irrelevant. oh, and read the curse of Ham. the US isn't a Christian government.

[myTake Owner]

It is the same issue in the context of my statement. In both cases, you're asking a group in power or who has more rights than another, why would they bother to care about a group that they don't belong to because the group in the minority is going to need their help ultimately if they want to gain equal rights.

And oh the bible. People who tend to hold up the bible and quote specific scriptures to make points like to forget or disavow others when its convenient to them or their cause. "Look" they scream, "the bible is the one true book for which we must follow all its teachings and it says this on page six," and when you ask or question them about , what happened on page seven, all of a sudden, "the bible can be interpreted in different ways." Sure, only if those ways coincide with what you specifically believe. Which one is it?

[Opinion Owner]

You asked a question comparing blacks to gays, and I never stated if I agreed or did not agree with the Supreme Court’s decision. I'm just answering your question letting you know, this is why the people who oppose this decision have a problem. It's coming from their bible beliefs, I’m not trying to get in a debate if the bible is real or not. That's for another day, my focus is on comparing gays to blacks. I have my beliefs and you have your beliefs, regarding the story of HAM I know it all too well. And my statement stands, nowhere is one race better than another. Since you mentioned HAM, That statement really doesn't matter anyway. Because Israelites are the chosen.

[myTake Owner]

I'm confused, are you talking to me or the other commenter?

[Opinion Owner]

I was replying back to you, but the commenter mentioned HAM. So I responded

[heavensgift2girls]

That isn't a fair comparison. The laws have changed a lot, and both genders are more independent now. So not being able to be married 60 years ago, meant a lot more than not being able to get married today. Marriage at this point is just a piece of paper, and is not crucial for the relationship or for the survival of the couple. I don't care simply because marriage today doesn't have any real importance in the eyes of the law. This whole issue is over blown and exaggerated. There are so many more important issues that this country should be focused on.

[vjreejr]

I will answer your original question: "Why should you care that gays now have marriage equality, if you're not gay?"

First-off, the answer has nothing - NOTHING - to do with homosexuality or marriage.

The simple fact of the matter is that homosexuals are an example of a minority whose rights have been suppressed by the majority. This is called "the tyranny of the majority". When we protect the rights of any minority group from discrimination and abuse of the majority, we are actually protecting everyone because, in reality, every single one of us is in the minority in some way.

Protecting the rights of the minority protects the rights of everyone. It is just that simple. And that's why you should \care that gays now have marriage equality, even if you're not gay.

[myTake Owner]

Well said

[steveguitar]

If they care they would be on the side of support for the movement. The problem is that society is man made, religion is man made, and stereotypes are man made. We have lost al of our primal knowledge except hunger, and turned everything upside down.

This isn't right or proper, this isn't normal behaviour, we must correct this, these our the founding beliefs. Some of the things I saw on the internet yesterday baffled me. I am glad I do not live in the USA, but can still enjoy the good things that come out of it like music or products.

Anyways would you want people doing things behind your backs and lying to everybody?

How is gay marriage not a good thing, they could help rescue parentless kids and give them a home, or whatever else.

And the best thing is that when somebody can be themselves, not only does their life improve, they feel more inclined to help those around them. I can't see positivity as a negative, that is just incorrect and improper

[neofuture]

I agree 100%, a group of people finally have their natural rights they have been entilted to since birth, this isn't a "liberal victory" or "conservative loss" Its an American victory, that all groups now have equal rights. This is a well deserved victory for the gay couples and another triumph in the American way

[CincinnatiRedsfan]

I agree with everything you said!

I support marriage equality, even though I'm not gay, because I'm not a selfish prick who only thinks about themselves.

I hate this notion (especially in my generation) which is "Since it doesn't bother me, I don't care." That is such a selfish way to think.

[myTake Owner]

Thank you, appreciate that. It's funny though because you're last statement could go two ways. One, the meaning I think you were inferring which is that, some people don't feel as though they should care about something that isn't a part of their life and should therefore not care about marriage equality, but on the other hand you have people that go, yeah, give gays marriage equality bc it doesn't bother me, and I don't care because they know they aren't gay, but what does 2 gay people getting married have to do with them and how they live their lives. I think though in most matters dealing with any type of equality... you have to be able to see people as just being people and not some aliens. They want for the same things and should have them in my opinion.

[CincinnatiRedsfan]

@Take Owner I see how that can be taken two ways.

It's pathetic I now have three down-votes but I wouldn't doubt if they were from men in my generation. For whatever reason, selfishness is valued by people in my age group.

[myTake Owner]

Even living in one of the states that is most against marriage equality, I have an extremely diverse group of friends who either support it, or don't care in the way that what two people do with their lives is their business. Reading some of the ridiculous responses to this mainly from a specific type of bible thumper who hates everything that isn't them exactly, has just proven to me that we needed this decision to come from a legal standpoint more than ever, and that its not really worth it to get upset over people like that who will never understand it or try to. I don't keep people like that around because in life there are so many differences between us, but we're all just people at the end of the day. There is so much thank goodness we don't have to agree with, but we live in a country where we are free to express that. If that is the only saving grace from debates with detractors, then so be it.

[Sjeggy]

i can see from both sides, so allow me to explain (i agree with neither side and am neutral on the matter, i frankly don't care)

please read before you judge

the original law of matrimony was for a man and a woman to be bound together under god and the church
so in other words, why the church is against gay people marrying is because it is against their religion to be bound as a man to someone who is a man. and if you follow your religion and are against it, then you can see why it should not be legal, because in the end, marriage gained a wrong picture

it is not as if the only way to be bound together is through marriage.

though old rules are indeed old and should be changed, the topic changes too. what should remain? only at our leisure do traditions stay?
saying that we should change tradition is an easy thing to say, but hard to do

once again i state that i am not against gay marriage

[Oigit]

You should care because one of the founding principles of this country is equal rights for everyone and as a citizen it is your duty to up hold the principles this country was founded on.

[heavensgift2girls]

No it wasn't. Our country was founded on the backs of slaves, and free workers that couldn't vote because they had to be land owners to vote.

[Driftr]

I'm a Christian. Whoa, crazy right? Who admits that nowadays without expecting an influx of accusations of "bigotry" and plenty of expletives regarding religion. Why should people like me care? That's a question asked by LGBT supporters to us bigots; exactly why do we oppose gay marriage if it doesn't affect us whatsoever?

Therein lies the lie. It does.

As according to our religion, it is a sin to engage in homosexual acts, or any acts of that nature. If a gay or lesbian couple wants to be married by any church or religious institution (and they do), we now have two options instead of the 3 presented to us originally. We can refuse and civil rights lawsuits for following our faith, or be forced to propagate what is explicitly banned according to our faith. Put simply, we have no room for denial. This is only one impact in the religious field. Gay marriage/ parenthood presents a much larger social footprint, the absence of a mother or father figure is a completely separate issue.

[myTake Owner]

I think this is definitely stating it too plainly. I live in what some consider to be one of biggest states to detract against gay marriage and trust me when I say, religious organizations around here have absolutely no intention of performing gay marriages (I wouldn't expect them to), and under the tenant of their previously held religious beliefs, they cannot under law, be forced to perform such ceremonies. Hell, if you work in a pharmacy and object to giving out contraception, you don't have to give out contraception. I think this is fear propaganda that's been spread that gays are just going to take over the world. Detractors of gay rights will always do what they have done, which is to deny that gay marriage should exist and not participate in what they don't believe in. A church is not the only place where people get married and clergy are not the only ones that can marry people!!!

[myTake Owner]

To your second point, lack of a mother/father is not simply a "gay problem," and as far as I know, straight people are still having children, so the population isn't suddenly going to shrink b/c gay people were still gay 3 days ago. How do we treat men or women who do not have a spouse--we afford them programs like big brother, or a parent may reach out to a relative of opposite sex to help support the family and its growth. Living in a straight household holds no guarantees of a well adjusted happy child. Any parent or guardian is going to have to work hard to provide that for their children regardless of their sexual orientation.

[jacquesvol]

@Driftr Churches aren't forced. They could -in some states- be subject to a discrimination lawsuit. The worst that could happen then might be the loss of tax freedom. Not really a drama: he tax freedom for churches is protecting religion, (which is against the 1st Amendment and which costs American taxpayers a lot of money. That would be all gain thus for constitutionalists and rightist austerity apostles).