Dear Friends of Marriage,
We need you right now. The New York Senate is in special session today and could vote on same-sex marriage at any time. Please take a moment right now to call and email your state senator.
Click here to send your state senator an email message.
Click here to look up your state senator’s phone number.
Governor Paterson has called the Senate back into special session, pushing for a vote on same-sex marriage even as the Senate works to close a $3.2 billion budget shortfall. Democratic leaders are saying they have a confirmed 25 votes out of the 32 needed for passage. Please take a moment right now to call and email your senator. Tell him to vote NO on same-sex marriage. Then forward this message to your friends and tell them that we need them right now!!
Time is short. The future of marriage hangs in the balance.
Please take action right now!
Faithfully,
Brian S. BrownExecutive Director
National Organization for Marriage
20 Nassau Street, Suite 242
Princeton, NJ 08542
bbrown@nationformarriage.org
P.S.: We need every voice to be heard! Please forward this message to 5 friends who you know would be willing to take action right away. Together we can stop same-sex marriage in New York — but only if we all stand together right now.
80 Comments
Any heterosexual senator who votes in favor of homosexual “marriage” is either
(a) a complete imbecile incapable of grasping the far reaching and devastating social consequences of homosexual “marriage” , and/or
(b) has been paid off by radical homosexual activists.
Thankfully, it looks as though the emergency session ended today without a vote on this issue. The New York Times is quoting Governor Patterson as saying he intends to bring it up next week. I wish I lived in New York and could call my own State Senator and the Governor and read them the riot act for even thinking about trying to force this through! What part of NO do these people not understand?
There is something very wrong when legislators think they can use partisan political power to push their own agenda on the people of a state - or a country. I can’t imagine what goes through their minds once they get elected that makes them think they can get away with that. I can tell you this, however: this attitude has to stop. We need true citizen-legislators in this country who fully understand their responsibility to the people who elected them and who know what it’s like to act with both strength and humility to serve them well.
excellent!
This is just grandstanding by Paterson. He knows he is hated. So why not try to please the crowd he can and perhaps get some funding. Its a matter of money and gaining any kind of support. Look at it from Paterson’s point of view. What does he have to lose?
Unlike the people of this organization, and their supporters, the majority of politicians, and the high courts believe in fairness and equality, and that change for the betterment of all people is good. There IS a movement, and it will not stop. Irrational fear of decent, loving, committed couples needs to go away. Creating this fear, and advertising it to the voting public, to strip granted rights away from people, is very immoral, and many faith communities are slowly realizing this.
Mark,
First, your appeal to “fairness and equality” is laughable and quite stale at this point. You have the same right to marry as everybody else. Your lifestyle choice is just that, a choice. My advice to you is make a different choice, for your own benefit, for the benefit of your parents, and finally, for the society’s benefit. It is as simple as that.
Second, “love” has nothing to do with it. Prisons are full of people who “love”. Love is simply not the basis for law exemptions, for creating new laws, or for undermining the most important institution of our civilzation — marriage between a man and a woman.
If love justifies all, should we abolish laws against pedophilia, just because pedophiles “love” children? Wrong example, as you, together with homosexual mainstream media, will probably say yes. Well, how about a man who kills his kids out of love because he does not want them to live in poverty? Does his love for his kids justify his act? I hope you do not think so.
The fear of homosexual “marriage” is everything but irrational. Allowing homosexuals to marry constitutes a society’s endorsement of a lifestyle which is unhealthy, unproductive, and ulitimately annihilistic. Therefore, we all should fear and reject homosexual “marriage.”
Finally, the only irrational thing I see here is the ridiculous sense of entitlement by homosexual radical activists. They have just wasted over $4M in trying to hijack marriage in Maine. How about spending that money on AIDS/HIV research or STD prevention? Unquestionably, these are causes much more relevant to the homosexual community.
Isn’t that ironic that homosexuals, who are largeley responsible for the AIDS/HIV epidemic in this country and elsewhere, spend millions of dollars trying to buy rights to “marry” (and thus legitimiize and promote homosexuality), while taxpayers pay the costs of their exorbitantly expensive lifestyle?
Mark, The movement for SSM is far from inevitable. The arguments in your favor depend heavily on disinformation, forced facts and sophistry mixed with outright lies. People who have a desire to see through the charade continue to do so—As we’ve seen in state after state. Soon Iowa will join the ranks with California and Maine.
You assume too much when you think that MA, CT, NH and VT are with you simply because they have no political voice given to them to override their corrupt judges and politicians. The courts and legislatures who have neutered marriage do not do so with the people’s blessing.
A movement that rides roughshod over the people’s democracy, does so at its peril.
Wrong again
“You have the same right to marry as everybody else.”
Straight people have the right to marry the consenting adult of their choice; gay people don’t. Talk about a stale argument!
“Second, “love” has nothing to do with it.”
I invite you to tell your spouse you don’t really love him. Encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same!
“Allowing homosexuals to marry constitutes a society’s endorsement of a lifestyle which is unhealthy, unproductive, and ulitimately annihilistic.”
Society already “endorses” the “homosexual lifestyle” by making that lifestyle legal in all 50 states. Marriage is something different from homosexuality, which society already endorses.
Maybe if homosexuals married they’d be less promiscuous. It hasn’t stopped heterosexual promiscuity but it’s worth a try!!
What’s great is that as more young people enter the political system, and vote, they’ll be demanding that their legislators eliminate discriminatory marriage laws. Plus with the states that already have same-sex marriage showing nothing but positive effects (such as fewer children raised out of wedlock, at least among gay couples), the momentum remains. It will probably be ten years or so before the majority of states have same-sex marriage. The usual suspects will lag behind until the US Supreme Court forces them to join modern society LOL.
“Straight people have the right to marry the consenting adult of their choice; gay people don’t. Talk about a stale argument!”
Talk about thick headed. Let me help you out:
Straight people have the right to marry the consenting member of the opposite sex of their choice; gay people do too.
Kevin,
Your self-serving predictions have no basis in logic or reality. The young, idealistic, and extremely naive supporters of homosexual “marriage” of today will be older and wiser in ten years. Most of them will have families of their own. As such, they will be able to better appreciate the importance of a husband/wife union and the importance of a child having both a mom and a dad.
And, as you can see from the marriage victory in Maine, increasing mumbers of people can see right through the fictitious and ludicrous “marriage” aspirations of radical homosexuals. More and more young people and non-religious people are starting to see the true colors and the true agenda of radical homosexuals in this country.
But thank you for repeating ad nauseam your baseless “civil rights” and “equality” claims. They only further embarass the radical homosexual movement.
Laura,
It amazes me that people like you think that you have homosexuality figured out. That you are sure it’s a “choice”. That logic would tell us that ALL of God’s creatures are equally attracted to BOTH sexes, and that we “chose” to go one way or another. Laura, I was raised by Christian hetero parents, and I tried to be who I wasn’t, just to “comply” with them and you. It was unfair to my girrlfriend who fell in love with me, and I naturally could’nt back. Please try to listen to the Gays, instead of judge from afar.
BREAKING: Today the LDS church announced its support for an inclusive anti-discrimination law in Salt Lake City.
Moments ago HRC Religion and Faith Director Harry Knox released the following statement:
“This has happened in the LDS Church because people are telling their clergy leaders they believe the church should be about lifting people up, not pushing them down. This decision is the result of vocal and consistent advocacy by LGBT people, their family and friends, inside and outside the LDS church. Employment and housing protections for LGBT people is fully embraced by mainstream America and the LDS Church is simply coming into the fold. We hope the LDS church will commit the same level of resources to ensuring full employment protection to everyone as it did to deny marriage equality to loving, same-sex couples in California.”
“BREAKING: Today the LDS church announced its support for an inclusive anti-discrimination law in Salt Lake City.”
Mark, what. are you surprised that it’s not about hate? LOL.
“It amazes me that people like you think that you have homosexuality figured out. That you are sure it’s a “choice”.”
Mark, what amazes me is that you think your behavior isn’t a choice.
“We hope the LDS church will commit the same level of resources to ensuring full employment protection to everyone as it did to deny marriage equality to loving, same-sex couples in California.””
That’s a little sick and twisted don’t you think? I mean, a church comes out in support of something you want and you’ve got to go and stick a knife into it? That’s hardly building bridges. I thought what the LDS church did was right on target. People aren’t interested in hate, they’re interested in protecting marriage. This has nothing to do with hate and everything to do with families.
Homosexual feelings may not be a choice but homosexual actions are. Also, when legislation is passed to protect homosexuality, organizations that do not advocate it are persecuted for “hate speech”. Witness the firing of Crystal Dixon who argued that being black was not the same as being gay:http://robgagnon.net/Toledo%20University%20President%20Suspends%20Administrator.htm
*or rather, that they are not akin to each other. That being descriminated against for being black is not the same as “being descriminated against” for being gay.
Also, I contacted my NYS senator and he said that he would vote no on gay marriage, as those of us who elected him want.
Jennifer and Amy:
You are so right! All of us practice behavior. The point is you’re defining people, NOT behavior. I do not call you “straight” or “heterosexual” because of whom you love, or sleep with. Don’t define ME the same way. If I believe that sleeping with, or loving the person of the same sex as me is wrong, than I shall abstain. I still define myself as “homosexual” or “gay”.
I have nothing but the utmost respect for people who experience same sex attraction and do not act on it. I didn’t think that was what we were talking about. Where is the confusion?
Amy, why do you have the upmost respect for someone who chooses to live a lie?
Have you noticed the latest reports that say straight ex’s from gay people are in support of gay marriage because of the sexless, loveless life they led with their gay husband/ wife?
It’s nice to see that this kind of life makes YOU happy, but the individuals are miserable.
But I guess people who have nothing to do with other peoples lives should have the say in what they do, right? As long as the person outside looking in approves..right?
“It’s nice to see that this kind of life makes YOU happy, but the individuals are miserable.”
Erin, who are you to judge people who choose a celibate life outside of marriage? Isn’t that their right to choose? Why are you so threatened by their choice that you feel driven to denigrate their decision as somehow fake or insincere? If they choose what is best for them, who are you to judge their intentions or feelings?
Everyone has their own experience with God. Who are you to deny them their freedom if that choice brings them peace?
I wanted to comment about the gay choice debate here. Some say its a choice, some say its not a choice. What convinces me is not someone talking but from what I have found on the internet. Google up ex-gay or ex homosexual or help homosexual. You will come up with a lot of sites where people have changed. Now you will also see some sites that say its not a choice. However I don’t see how those sites can refute what someone else is actually experiencing. How can they say its not a choice when people have changed? I’m not saying that one is right necessarily, but if it wasn’t a choice, then how come some changed? Also if you are gay, why do you feel like you don’t have a choice in marriage when others have changed. Being a heterosexual gives us a choice, and many people want to choose heterosexual of course to fit in. But those who don’t choose heterosexual I can’t figure it out. Studies from both sides try to make their argument and do have convincing arguments. But the bottom line to me is the writing on the wall. Some people have changed which logically I can’t refute.
Mark Douglas,
So, to your point, are you defining yourself as “being” homosexual/gay, as a behavioral attribute or as an ontological argument? In other words, how do we know you “are” gay unless you exhibit/practice/participate in “behaviors” associated with the homosexual lifestyle? Or is “being” gay just a part of “who you are” and you don’t have “control” over your SSA and so you feel as if you have no recourse.?
Dear All:
Thankyou for your imput on the “choice” debate. This is constructive as to get a better understanding of whom we are. As a gay man, all I can tell you from my life experiences, is that I never “chose” to have SS attraction, or lack therof of opposite attraction. Most of us gay folks grow up (realizing our orientation) with shame and confusion from what we are “taught”. THEN, most of us discover that there are many others out there like us! We embrace whom we are, come out to our families, and, thank God, these days it’s more accepted, and we live “normal” healthy lives (despite the false stereotypes). Some gays do the “reparitive therapy” because they personally are never accepted by their families. They claim they are “cured”, but they are really “pent-up”.
Mark Douglas,
Homosexuals in their most soul searching moments (e.g., when faced with a devastating medical diagnosis) often describe their lifestyle as an addiction. Something you try, or more often are pulled into, at a particularly vulnerable time of your life.
The homosexuality addiction, just like any addiction or bad habit, becomes more difficult to overcome as time passes. The particularly perverse nature of the addiction makes the addiction so much more “exciting” and difficult to deal with.
The homosexual community’s culture, which chastises, ridicules, and often harasses ex-homosexuals, makes the addiction so much more dificult to overcome. Moreover, ludicrous pronouncements by so called “professionals” (such as the lunatics of the APA) that homosexuality is “normal” because it has been around for a while and because homosexuals can “function” in the society without being medicated (incidentally, don’t these criteria also apply to cannibals and necrophiliacs?) make bad matters worse.
The bottom line is that homosexuality is nothing more than an addiction, which can be overcome in a very highly motivated individual (see Spitzer study at Columbia University). Of course, for personal and political reasons, most homosexuals prefer to insist that their condition is immutable. That strips them of any personal responsibility and is designed to give them political advantage, as clearly seen in the homosexual “marriage” battle.
This is no different from alcoholics and drug addicts convincing themselves (and others) that they cannot change their behavior, that their behavior is normal and good for them, and that in fact it entitles them to special treatment.
I am constantly amazed by the cognitive dissonance maintained on the SSM issue by so many social liberals in the US.
The great majority of US social liberals use a sophisticated model of reality when it comes to environmental issues, asserting that everything in the environment is interconnected, and what everyone does with respect to the environment affects everyone else. I am in total agreement with that. But when it comes to SSM or gay issues in general, all of a sudden these social liberals ditch their sophisticated model they use for environmental issues, and instead embrace an extremely simplistic, childlike model that holds that every human action is independent and whether other people are in same-sex relationships or same-sex marriages is really of no consequence to others and will in no way affect human society or the children of today or tomorrow.
Of course the model chosen is result-driven, as the more sophisticated model would tend to increase resistance to SSM. And, unless one just fell off of the turnip truck, it should be pretty obvious that once the militant feminist lesbians have converted enough women into lesbianism so that lesbians, along with the gay men, constitute a powerful political force (without the need for support from sympathetic liberal heterosexuals), and gay marriage has been enshrined into law, then the simplistic model will be dropped as it will have done its job. There will be no reason then for the lesbians to pretend that their choices do not affect all of human society.
Kevin said “Maybe if homosexuals married they would be less promiscuous.” Previously, Kevin suggested that fear of losing money in a divorce proceeding may also keep homosexual pedophiles away from playgrounds.
Valid practical considerations. Make them a more visible part of your insane campaign.
The Supreme Court repeatedly has held that the right to marry the person of your choice is a fundamental human right guaranteed by the equal-protection and due-process clauses of the Constitution.
I cant believe how much money you people have WASTED! I grew up in a religious household, father a minister, mother a teacher. They have no problem with the fact that i was BORN this way. Why should you? All of you, your arguments are laughable! Homosexuality is an addiction? Give me a break. Focus your energy on feeing the hunger, helping the homeless, not trying to destroy people’s rights.
Michelle, the Supreme Court actually has not ruled that there is a right to marry the person of your choice, it never has. You may be thinking of a state court, and those state decisions in support of traditional marriage far outweigh those against it.
I just wanted to say something. I’ve seen these same sentiments cropping up again and again on this board and others, that the pro-family position is a position of hate, and because of that, we must not love, must not feel, must not BE human.
My opinions in support of the family do not hamper me from serving in my community, from serving my fellow brothers and sisters, from donating to the poor, the homeless, the helpless or any other good hearted activities. Earlier this week I helped a homeless woman who looked like she hadn’t eaten regularly in several months to get a good hot meal. Two days ago I helped another woman who simply needed a hand for a few hours. Yesterday I helped a few ladies in my neighborhood put together a quilt for a grieving mother whose children had died in a horrific incident. It was made from squares of their favorite clothes.
My opinions are my own and they are just as sincere and heartfelt as yours. Your judgments of me and the others on this board are baseless and ignorant, born of your own misunderstanding and false assumptions. We are people too. You were not “born this way”, you were born a precious child of God. You were born as my sister, just like any other. We are equal. We may disagree! but we are equal.
Amy - you clearly didn’t understand my post….Or you are really clever to take something out of context.
Did you all read that the Catholic Archdiocese has decided to cut out all social services to the poor, homeless and children in DC if it passes gay marriage?!
You all should be so proud of yourselves for these are NOM supporters much like all of you. Say what you will, but you are all clumped into this childish behavior that the Catholics are displaying.
Erin, Perhaps it is you who didn’t understand what you wrote. You said that the spouses of gay people who left families behind to go live out their gay fantasies were supportive of the gay marriage cause, and that those who choose to live celibate lives do so in order to please Amy, not themselves.
I heard you. I just disagree with the entire flavor of your comment. Who are you to equate a life of celibacy with a life of lies? and who are you to say that if someone chooses to live a moral life, that they are doing so to please me and not because it’s a well reasoned choice they came to on their own?
Do you know what was done to Catholic Charities in Boston? They did not just “close their doors” out of spite. They were kicked out.
If we make the argument that it is right for two people of the same gender to marry because they love each other, can’t we make the same argument for polyamory? Or for consensual incest? If marriage is based on feelings and no particular structure, how can we not agree that polyamory and incest is equally as valid as SSM? Will those of us who don’t agree with incest and polyamory be labeled as “incestphobic” or “polyphobic”?
beetle,
i didnt say that they had ruled that there is a right. if you know this history, you’ll know that in countless cases regarding marriage - the supreme court has held that marriage is a fundamental right. see 1978 (Zablocki v. Redhail) for one…
the repeal of DOMA will solve this all soon enough.
and i never said that you hate. i never used the word. and i dont think that you hate us. i just think that you dont understand us.
but this is about equal rights for all. for ALL. including minorties. the LGBT community is a minority.
and how did i judge you exactly?
and yes i am a child of god! and god loves me just the way i am.
“and yes i am a child of god! and god loves me just the way i am.”
You are right there! He may not think all of our choices are so hot, but he definitely loves each of us, just the way we are, warts and all.
Zablocki does not provide the legal basis for merging SSM with marriage.
SSM argumentation itself fails to provide the legal basis for such a merger.
But that does not deter SSMers whose cause would push the supremacy of identity politics over the law, the Constitution, and the social institution of marriage.
Amy - noo..the Catholic Charities decided to opt out of adoption. Noone forced them out.
Try again Erin. They were denied a license to practice adoption in Massachusetts because of religious intolerance for their beliefs. The same is happening in D.C. right now.
They SHOULD be denied licenses to do anything if they intend to break the law. People of faith, and their organizations, are not exempt from observing the law.
Kevinn,
Where were you on proposition 8 and Question 1? Were you one of the ones that said it wouldn’t affect the churches? Or did you know and just kept silent?
Erin asked “Amy, why do you have utmost respect for someone who chooses to live a lie?”
Erin, I am sorry to say that it is you who is living a lie. If you are a lesbian, which I am presuming you are, your lifestyle choice is a quintessential example of living a lie.
A great majority of lesbians find refuge in the lesbian lifestyle because:
a) they suffer from a particularly low self-esteem;
b) they are incapable of honestly addressing their self-esteem issues;
c) they feel rejected by men, whether or not that is the case;
d) they often had bad experiences with men;
e) to rationalize their rejection of and/or by men, they develop hate toward them;
f) they find acceptance among lesbians who share the same emotions.
You were NOT born a lesbian. Choosing a lesbian lifestyle, you chose to live a lie.
U.K. Homosexualist Group: Public Sex is an Important Part of Gay Community
OutRage!, a militant U.K. homosexual ‘rights’ group, is insisting that homosexual sex in public places, a practice known as ‘cruising,’ should be tolerated by police. According to PinkNews.co.uk, a U.K. homosexual news source, the group has said that cruising is “an important part of the gay community and cannot be ignored,” in the words of the reporter.
The canal area in Manchester has long been a popular spot for cruising, but PinkNews reports that the area has been built up, resulting in more complaints from local people. In response, the Manchester police have begun patrolling the area more diligently, and potential ‘cruisers’ are being warned that they could face arrest.
OutRage! is calling for a “sensible, long-term and fair approach” to the issue, recommending tolerated ‘cruising areas.’
“The area that we’re talking about, cruising is tolerated unofficially,” OutRage! member David Henry told PinkNews. “But there is quite a lot of anger in the gay community about how it’s being handled.”
He claims that homosexuals have been “victimised and singled out,” attributing police actions to “homophobia.”
“We’d like other agencies such as the police and council to get behind this concept [of tolerated gay cruising areas],” he said. “There are other places, such as Brighton and Blackpool, possibly also Liverpool, where this is in place.”
Henry admitted that ‘cruising areas’ are more inviting to married men and others who are not openly homosexual, but said this is not the case “as much as it used to be in the past.”
Public homosexual sex is a routine practice in the U.K., with homosexuals meeting in a variety of places, such as bus stations or airports. While OutRage! maintains that the law does not specifically condemn public sex, such acts are, in fact, covered by public decency laws.
Nevertheless, U.K. police have often not enforced the law, yielding to pressure from homosexualists. In fact, a draft of guidelines for U.K. police proposed last year stated specifically that police should not impede public homosexual activity, complaining that such interventions had alienated homosexuals, and advocating respect for the “human rights of those people who frequent open spaces.”
UK Police Instructed Not to Interfere with the “Human Right” of Anonymous Public Sex
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/oct/08101702.html
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/nov/09110909.html
“They SHOULD be denied licenses to do anything if they intend to break the law. People of faith, and their organizations, are not exempt from observing the law.”
So redefining marriage for gays DOES compromise religious liberties! I gues the gay activists who claim that gay marriage won’t effect churches are liars then.
Erin, you are probably right that God loves you just the way you are (i.e., an anti-Catholic lesbian). But I suspect Satan may like you even more.
“Public Sex Is an Important Part of Gay Community.”
No, it is more than that. It is one of homosexuals’ “civil rights”, just like homosexual “marriage”. I bet it can be found on the to-do list of the U.S. Homosexual Jihad.
Hello My Name Is Brandon
I am A 18 Year Old young believer in Christ. I gave my life to God when I was seven. My father is a minsiter in one of the biggest growing christian organizations in the faith ( The United Pentecostal Church International). My mother is devoted to helping my father and is by his side through everything. They have a beautiful marriage and the work together so well. My parents raised me and my siblings the best way they knew how. Churh 3 times a week, memorizing bible verses. I used to sing on stage in church and pour my heart out to God. Ive dreamnt of the day when I could be married and have children of my own. Then I grew up and I started to change. Everytime I would see A man walking down the hall my heart would drop. I felt an attracion an incontrollable attraction. I sat there and tried to imagine my life with a man but it seemed hopeless because of the world I was living in. I felt that the feelings would be the end of my relationship with God and my family ( I was wrong). I found my peace with God and my family. Someday I will walk down the aisle with A man who loves me. I will have the same marriage as my parents and I will spend everyday of my life devouted to God and to my husband proving people who disgrace us wrong. Marriage is beautiful and every human being deserves to experience. I did not ask to be gay I wouldnt change myself for the world. Its not a privledge its a right and even if you kill the legal bond you will never be able to kill the love between two people.
Brandon,
It is difficult to have strong feelings that are unsatisfied. Unfortunately just because we have feelings does not mean that they are correct. Feelings aren’t indicative of right or wrong. Although you have strong feelings of same sex attraction, that doesn’t make those feelings right.
I have had strong but unsatisfied feelings. Previously I was a foster parent with my wife. I started it somewhat reluctantly because having children wasn’t the most important thing in my life but as things progressed, the children that we took care of became more and more important to me. We were on the road to adoption of one little girl who I shared a special bond with. She would look forward to me coming home from work each day and I enjoyed playing peek-a-boo and other silly games with her. For some reason we developed a special bond of love that I have never felt for a child. Tragically a baby that was also under our care died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and the county social services removed all foster children from our care. In the ensuing investigation, the county placed my little girl with another family who adopted her. The feelings that I had and still have about her tore me apart.
I felt extreme anger toward members of the county social services and found myself plotting within my head things that I could do to somehow “get back” at them for destroying that part of my life and leaving such a jagged hole. I’m still learning not to feel the anger now 4 years later but I know that it can be done. I feel that somehow it is God’s will that she be with that other family but I still feel profoundly sad when I think of her and how she isn’t a part of our family.
I have never felt same sex attraction. My understanding is that it is remarkably strong and deep and not to be taken lightly. I know that, although the feelings are strong, they can be changed. I have friends who have battled with those feelings. I encourage you to turn to God to help you through Christ to change your desires. God gives laws so that we can be happy, not to punish anyone. He wants us to learn how to be happy. You can not find happiness by going against his laws.
Brandon,
I urge you to seek help. You are only 18 years old and clearly lost. Same sex attraction is a treatable disorder, as long as you want to change it. You may want to look up some ex-homosexual websites to see that homosexuality can be effectively treated.
Ok well what is normal i dont need help because there is nothing wrong with me. I may be only 18 years old but i know where my life is going. You people sit here and tear apart homosexuals for having sex in bathrooms and doing disgusting sexual things. Well look around you straight people do the same thing. People are sick this world isnt going down because of homosexuals. Our marriage wont effect yours. I dont understand how my happiness will destroy yours. Like it or not God is not in our country anymore so to sit here and say we should base minorities liberty based on the majorities vote is awful. And if I dont recall the same thing happened 30 years ago when the majority of the south said african americans werent allowed there civil rights. Ofcourse people dont like change but my constitution says diffrent.This is the America thousands of people have died for an equal America. I sympathize for things rocketman that were out of your control. But to sit here and tell me my feelings can change or that im wrong is very ignorant of you, And Laura homosexality can also be bisexulality and the great things about bisexuals is they can choose. Not everyone is the same and our love and our marriage will not destroy yours Dont Judge until you look through someones eyes this ignorance like this that make the world such a nasty place.
Brandon, how you live is your choice. I don’t envy the difficulties life has given you. I hope you find much happiness.
“Marriage is beautiful and every human being deserves to experience.”
Yet many do not have the chance to experience it, either through physical limitation, or simply because they never found the right one. Marriage is not something you enter into simply because you deserve the joy of a steady relationship. It’s much more meaningful and deep than this.
Laura…you should do some research yourself. First off you are clearly a narrow-minded bigot. Secondly, homosexuality is nor more a “disorder” than having blue eyes is a disorder. it’s a fact of life for 10% of the population.
Being gay is NOT a choice. It’s never offered up as an option. People are either gay or they’re not. It’s quite simple.
What I really don’t get, though, is why you all spend so much time caring about whether same-sex couples can get married. I mean, how does it impact your personal life negatively?
And..don’t you have your own issues to worry about?
Seriously, the attitude of people involved with NOM is depressing. So much negativity. So much HATE. You are all a depressing, ill-informed bunch of people.
Danielle, everyone who disagrees with you hates you? How convenient for you. The consequences to society and individuals is something you can’t deny. Look what’s happening to Catholic Charities in D.C. right now because of the same sex marriage law the city’s proposing.
Amy,
First off, You all do hate Homosexuals. So don’t even go there.
Second! The Catholic Charities are pulling themselves out, no one forced them out, so deal with it.
Anyone who is affiliated with this organization makes me sick. You people sit in your houses and Pray. How many of you had sex before marriage? How many of you have gazed longingly at someone other than your spouse?
Let he without Sin cast the first stone.
I am a homosexual and I am proud. You can either deal with it or get out of my way.
I am also a Christian, as is my partner. We are Episcopalian, and in that church, Homosexuality is celebrated.
Get over your own insecurities and let us have our rights. And please, do not reply to me. Your words are useless.
Amy - The Catholics have decided to turn their backs on the homeless etc if gay marriage is legal. Noone is asking the Catholics to do this. I’m not sure what you are trying to imply, but please know what you are speaking of before you post anything.
Amy, it’s quite clear that there are people who are against gay marriage that may like gay people but when you read posts by Laura,(above) you will see how we are treated.
You wrote to Brandon ” I don’t envy the difficulties life has given you.” These difficultiies that we face are brought on by people who don’t like us.( People like Laura and many people on this site. ) Laura stated that she belives Satan likes me more than God…geez..who is she to think she to state something like that? Maybe your group needs a preaching to.
Erin you have your facts wrong on Catholic Charities.
For the sake of discussion, let’s assume the opposite — that you have your facts right.
1. In Massachusetts, does the state government issue licenses to adoption agencies?
2. Can an agency perform adoptions without a state license in Massachusetts?
We can continue from there once you have supplied your response based on the facts.
John M.,
You seem to have let your bias get in the way of reality. That is your choice, and you’re welcome to it.
“I am a homosexual and I am proud. You can either deal with it or get out of my way. ”
I will deal with it. Let me tell you how I will deal with it. I will fight the gay agenda and anyone who dares infringe on the rights of family and individuals to act as they believe and see fit. You have your rights. I have mine. Those rights do not include changing the definition of marriage for everyone else. Those rights do not include the exclusion of every train of thought but your own. Those rights do not include the right to persecute others for believing differently than you believe John.
It ought to be that we can live together, in peace. That’s what I will work for.
“You wrote to Brandon ” I don’t envy the difficulties life has given you.” These difficultiies that we face are brought on by people who don’t like us.( People like Laura…”
Erin, you may not like what Laura has to say, I’m sure Laura doesn’t like what you have to say, but both of you are free to say it. Neither of you hates the other, you just disagree on what is best for society. Those are called philosophical differences. Running to someone’s home with a gun to shoot them, that may be hate. You are free to disagree, you’re even free to misstate, misquote and twist Laura’s words into things she never said, but you are not free to call that hate speech and curtail her ability to have and act on her beliefs.
In D.C. the city is working to impose the gay agenda on the citizens of the city. They’ve denied the citizens a say, barred them from exercising their constitutional right to vote, and because of the changes same sex marriage makes in the law, now religious groups like Catholic Charities will be prevented from doing the good they want to do in that city. SSM is fascist, not free. It limits speech, thought and action. It condemns any thought of disagreement. Homogeneity is the ideal with SSM.
The difficulties Amy is talking about are the difficulties of feeling same sex attraction. That is a difficult trial to bear. That situation stems from many sources, none of which are Laura’s opinions, feelings or actions. Silencing Laura will not make you better. It will not lessen your same sex attraction, it will not mitigate the cacophony of feelings you experience, all it will do is take away the freedom of another of God’s children to think and act as she sees fit.
You Erin, do not have that right.
Amy-
By supporting this hate filled excuse for a movement, you are not working towards living in peace… you are working towards separation. And my RIGHT to marry does not infringe on your rights at all.
Get over yourselves, Bigots.
John M.,
As laws currently stand in D.C., you are perfectly free to live and love as you please. Catholic Charities and other faith based groups are free to live and love as they please. Once SSM is passed, that will change. Those who think that gay behavior is morally excellent and worthy of support will still continue to live and love in the city. BUT, those who don’t, those who feel that homosexuality should not be held up as a standard for society and who don’t wish to be forced to support that standard because they choose to live by a higher standard, those people will all of a sudden find themselves afoul of the law. Restrictions come with disagreement. There is no freedom under SSM.
Call me any name you want. It doesn’t matter. You are free. I support your freedom to speak, even when you disagree with me. I challenge you to do the same. Reject SSM and the limitations it enforces on freedom of speech and religion.
We, as Americans, should have the right to take a stand for what we believe in and not have to worry about being treated unjustly.
There seems to be a great deal of misunderstanding on this issue. When marriage discrimination is eliminated, no one will be forced to marry someone they don’t want to marry. It just means that an adult can marry the consenting adult of his or her choice, regardless of the gender of either person. In other words, the gender requirement still in place in most states will go away. Marriage will stay the same, otherwise, and no one will be forced to marry someone of the same, or opposite, sex. Instead, everyone will have the choice to marry a same-sex partner or an opposite-sex partner.
It’s not that simple, Kevin.
SSM compromises the civil and religious liberties of its citizens. It has resulted in a loss of free speech and religion rights and has produced more intrusive and restrictive government regulation to impose a new politically correct morality on individuals and the church.
Just ask Peter Vadala who was fired from his retail job in Massachusetts because he stated that his Christian beliefs did not accept same-sex marriage.
Also ask Donald Mendell Jr., a high school counselor in Palmyra, Maine, who was investigated by the state and in danger of losing his state social worker’s license because he had appeared in a Yes on 1 TV ad only after a fellow teacher at his school had appeared in her own No on 1 ad. Was her own job endangered? Of course not!
And what about Catholic Charities in Massachusetts who was forced to end its adoption services rather than to be forced to hand orphans to gay couples?
Most people are willing to tolerate homosexuality and are even willing to have gay couples treated equally under the law as married couples. But they are not willing to allow the government enforce approval of the gay lifestyle by radically redefining marriage.
“SSM compromises the civil and religious liberties of its citizens.”
How? If your faith says don’t marry someone of the same sex, you are under no obligation to marry someone of the same sex.
“Just ask Peter Vadala who was fired from his retail job in Massachusetts because he stated that his Christian beliefs did not accept same-sex marriage.”
No he wasn’t. He was allegedly fired for criticizing a store manager for her choice of a marriage partner, which was against company policy. He would have also been fired if he criticized a white woman for marrying a black man, according to the company’s policy.
“But they are not willing to allow the government to enforce approval of the gay lifestyle by radically redefining marriage.”
Marriage was radically redefined when divorce was made legal, along with adultery. We’ve survived and you’ll survive marriage equality. I want the government to enforce laws prohibiting discrimination.
“I want the government to enforce laws prohibiting discrimination.”
And that is the difference isn’t it Kevinn? You define discrimination based on action, not on race, making a protected class of those who decide to act in the same way you do. What about those who believe in a different moral code for their actions? Suppress them! Limit them! Use the law to scourge and punish them! That is not tolerance. That is fascism.
Again, you will not be forced to do anything against your personal or religious beliefs! I’m serious! It is not moral, by the way, to prevent gay couples and their children from reaping the legal, health and wealth benefits of marriage. Married couples live longer; their children do better in life. What sort of sick and twisted moral code are YOU living by?!!
LMarie - Noooo. Do not try to imply that I have twisted any of Laura’s words.
Laura is a great example of the people on this board.
Many of you are forgetting that this board (or NOM)is not meant for people to vent thier negative opinions of homosexuality. (atleast that’s what Maggies says) NOM is a group that is trying to “protect” straight marriage. (gay marriage is legal here, so I had to make that distinction) Why do you all come here and make comments about how difficult homosexuality is? Why does Laura feel the need to tell me that Satan likes me more than god does because I’m a lesbian?!
This site was not meant for these types of comments. If you scroll to the top, you will see the first comment was bizarre and hatefull. Notice how Chairm does not get in the discussions on the “wrong doings” of homosexuals..it’s because she works for NOM. Take a hint.
Oh and LMarie - The catholics are not forced to do anything. If they decide to stop helping the homeless, then DC will just contract out someone else. Either way they are being very childish, as all the news outlets are stating - and I agree.
I am not silencing Laura - LOL. Please get over yourself. I do have to disagree however. The difficulties a young homosexual deals with comes directly from people how are ignorant about homosexuals -It all leads back to ignorant people. Plain and simple, dear.
It seems alot of conversation is going on, The great thing about anonyity is that it seems to empower people to say things they wouldn’t normally say face to face. It is a powerful thing. We are dealing with an issue with strong opinions on both sides. I for one have been following this site for some time since the beginnning almost. It is amazing how the old arguments come up over and over again. Nobody comes to a consensus on anything. One deals out hatred the other tolerance. In the end its our voice that seems to give us hope. just being allowed to comment gives that needed boost for the side you are on. The fact is all of this discussion will be gone in a week. A new article will be placed. New comments that reflect the old arguments will come to a climax. It will continue. Please don’t get so wrapped up on the moment that you forget your civility. This is a forum not a platform that will change any laws.
“Marriage was radically redefined when divorce was made legal, along with adultery. We’ve survived and you’ll survive marriage equality.”
I always find it interesting that “marriage equality” rides in on the back of divorce and adultery. Does anyone really think there would be a demand for SSM if divorce and adultery were not legal? Of course not. No, the slippery slope keeps on sliding, and right on queue along comes gay marriage.
Meanwhile the marriage rate has been slipping, sliding, dropping and falling for decades. And just when you start to suspect that people just don’t take the idea of marriage seriously anymore, along comes gay marriage, right on queue.
Yes, we’ll survive, but the institution of marriage won’t. Legalizing SSM is sticking a knife into a dying patient.
Amy is right. All this back and forth won’t matter tomorrow or the next day. I’m tired of reading all of this. No matter what side you are on we are all trying to one up eachother. Ugh, I’m done.
Peace.
“I am not silencing Laura - LOL. Please get over yourself. ”
Are you advocating SSM? Then you are advocating silencing the voices that do not agree with your own. Dissent cannot live side by side with the gay agenda. Haven’t you been listening to Kevinn?
Amy,
That was one of the strangest posts on here, and that’s saying something. No one is trying to silence you, as if that were even possible. Some of us are trying to show you that your policy of outlawing same-sex marriage hurts gay people and their children. Married couples stay together longer, live better, healthier lives, and their children also have better lives. What’s so hard about this for you to comprehend?
That someone forcefully disagrees with a social policy that hurts people is a good thing! You want public approval for your homophobia. Don’t count on it! And don’t play the victim because you’re not getting a pass from those of us who believe in marriage equality.
Kevinn,
You can’t credibly say after what D.C. is doing to Catholic Charities, and all the other people (Don Mendell etc) who are being punished, fined or limited for expressing their views on marriage that SSM upholds free speech.
As it was stated earlier:
Kevinn: “I want the government to enforce laws prohibiting discrimination.”
Samantha: And that is the difference isn’t it Kevinn? You define discrimination based on action, not on race, making a protected class of those who decide to act in the same way you do. What about those who believe in a different moral code for their actions? Suppress them! Limit them! Use the law to scourge and punish them! That is not tolerance. That is fascism.
As Samantha said, you’re mincing words and toying with definitions. Discrimination means to choose between. Choosing to favor one people over another is looked down on, but choosing one action over another is encouraged. You’ll manipulate the language to push your favorite issue, but you can’t explain why discriminating against lifestyle choices of pedophilia, alcoholism, drug abuse etc is right but discriminating against your particular favorite evil isn’t.
Limiting who can speak against your favorite action is not promoting free speech, freedom of religion or free choice.
Pastors Will Engage in Civil Disobedience to Protest Inclusion of ‘Sexual Orientation’ in Hate Crimes Law
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 /Christian Newswire/ — On Monday, November 16 at 1:30 PM, the Coalition for Faith and Freedom, an ad hoc group of concerned clergy, will rally in front of the Justice Department in Washington, D.C. to test the limits of the expanded federal hate crimes law.
On October 28, President Barack Obama signed into law a measure extending the federal hate crimes statute to include so-called sexual orientation. The ministers believe this will criminalize all criticism of homosexual behavior, including that contained in the Bible.
To test this belief and protest a clear violation of First Amendment freedom of speech and religion, various clergy will preach short sermons and read passages from the Bible regarding homosexual behavior. Like Dr. Martin Luther King and the Sixties Civil Rights movement, they will engage in civil disobedience to protest injustice.
Those participating in the pray-in will include Vision America Action President Dr. Rick Scarborough, Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, Bishop E.W. Jackson of STAND America, Brian Camenker of Mass Resistance (a group which has fought gay marriage in the Bay State), Paul Blair and Steve Kern of Reclaim Oklahoma, Pat Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition, Brad Cranston of Iowa Baptists for Biblical Values, and Jim Garlow, a leader of the Prop 8 battle in California, which overturned the judicial imposition of gay marriage.
Legal challenges to the unconstitutional law may also be announced at that time. Mat Staver, Esq., founder and president of Liberty Counsel and dean of Liberty Law School, has been retained as their counsel and will be present at a press conference preceding the event.
Pastor Paul Blair, founder of Reclaiming Oklahoma for Christ, summed up the sentiments of participants, when he observed: “Pastors have preached the Bible in America for more than 400 years, pointing the people to Jesus Christ and standing against sin. If preaching the Bible is now against the law, then let us be arrested. If not, may every pastor in America know that he can stand strong and proclaim Biblical Truth without fear of persecution or prosecution.”
Nevermind, Amy, I googled Don Mendell. Yeah he’s bad news LOL.
“It seems pretty obvious that Mr. Mendell has a problem with gay people. As I previously noted, his views are at odd with his own professional organization, the American Counseling Association, as well as the American Association of School Administrators, the American Federation of Teachers, the American Psychological Association, the American School Health Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, the National Association of Social Workers, and the National Education Association. The guy seems to have a broken watch that is stuck somewhere in the 18th century.”
Oh, ok, yeah this was the Maine guidance counselor who violated his ACA oath by publicly stating his opposition to homosexuality. We had a local college student who got kicked out of her counseling program for the same thing. I think homophobic people need to find the kinds of jobs where they don’t have to work with young people or others who depend on having a safe emotional environment.
exactly. Accept the normalization of homosexuality, honor those unions, promote them as equal to marriage, even to the detriment of the society you depend on, or else.
oh yeah, and be sure you teach it to your kids in all the schools as well. We can’t have them having morals or anything. Gotta get’m young. Kevinn you’re a piece of work, but at least you’re honest.
“I think homophobic people need to find the kinds of jobs where they don’t have to work with young people or others who depend on having a safe emotional environment.”
Every person of Faith in America should read these words. This is the writing on the wall. This person is saying that people who believe in leading a spiritual life in conformity with the will of God as expressed in most of the world’s major religious traditions should NOT BE ALLOWED TO WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE (just like pedophiles). God help us!
Erin, I do not work for NOM and I am not a she.
I defend the core meaning of marriage and its preferential status in our society.
The SSM campaign and its argumentation attacks that core as bigoted and would reduce it to a barely tolerative status.
What is the core of SSM if not gayness? SSMers emphasize gayness as the defining feature of SSM. When marriage defenders respond forthrightly on the topic of gayness, SSMer cry foul. But SSMers bring it into the discussion and their argumentation reveals that they seek special status based on gayness alone. SSMers invite discussion of it.
In my view, identity politics is deplorable. Gay identity politics is no less deplorable. The assertion of supremacy based on gay identity politics is the root problem of the SSM campaign and its argumentation.
If SSM is “the gay relationship”, then, SSMers need to explain the very low rates of particiation in SSM (under whatever guise — including the very broad notion of same-sex householding). And SSMers need to explain why they do not propse a legal requirement for gayness for those who show up for a license to SSM. And they also need to justify special status based on gayness.
If you can do that respectfully, and showing integrity and standing on truth, fine, do so. If you emphasize gayness but runaway from a forthright discussion of that, then, you’ve only yourself to blame, frankly.
Erin, SSM needs to be made to stand on its own two feet instead of piggybacking on the special status of marriage in our society. If you disagree that the core of SSM is gayness, then, explain what the essentials of this type of relationship are so that it can be distinguished from the rest of the nonmarraige category.
If all states pass same sex marriage laws will Catholic Charities cease to exist in the US?