General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAre there actually any people here AGAINST gay marriage?
I've heard rumors but have never seen it for myself. And I'm not talking about people with only 12 posts, but actual DU posters?
liberalmuse
(18,672 posts)but they won't openly admit that here. Instead, they will jump on and pretty much decimate President Obama for this, in spite of what a big step this was. If you see any post raking him through the coals for this instead of recognizing what a big step and perhaps risk this was for a prominent politician to come right out and point blank say they are for "gay marriage", that is your clue right there.
cali
(114,904 posts)for speaking out. Not one. And evidently neither have you.
I doubt there are more than a troll or two here who oppose marriage equality. And they oppose everything else progressives believe in. btw, is gay marriage different from hetero marriage? Isn't the point Equality?
orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)and have never heard an opponent , I would have remembered.
Faygo Kid
(21,478 posts)Probably happened sometime, but don't think DU has really been part of the problem. Others disagree, I know.
Occulus
(20,599 posts)They favor.civil unions and/or domestic partnerships- "like the French model", as one particularly progressive professor previously posited.
Ter
(4,281 posts)If you are against it, you get banned on DU. Even being anti-abortion doesn't give ya the boot.
patrice
(47,992 posts)started developing a broad constituency.
LGBTQ have been here ever since I can remember. Some people come here to insult them, they don't stay long, but you'd think if there was an anti-Gay marriage element here, you'd have seen it in those situations.
I could very possibly have missed something, so you should ask LGBTQ specifically.
whatchamacallit
(15,558 posts)but the author self-deleted. He is now singing a whole new gospel as if it never happened...
chollybocker
(3,687 posts)Yes, I object to the multiple privileges accorded to marriage in general, especially in terms of taxation, income splitting, housing, employment, day care, schooling, etc. Those of us who choose to be single and childless are left exempt.
But that's an argument for another day! Equality inches onward.
Booster
(10,021 posts)married people have approximately 1750 benefits (mainly on taxes) that single people don't have. WTF is up with that? Where are the "equal rights for everyone" people on this subject, whether gay, straight or whatever?
chollybocker
(3,687 posts)i hope married couples feel 1,750 times superior to me, because the law says they may.
Onward, upward, etc....
Maine-ah
(9,902 posts)that corporations and the rich pay lower tax rates, and many corporations don't pay anything in taxes.
I'm married, one child, mortgage etc....I'm unemployed and when I am employed our combined income is about 60k. We had to pay in this year.
liberalhistorian
(20,822 posts)I was single until I married several years ago, I was almost 43 (but I did have a son, even though I'd never been married, so I guess you could say I wasn't completely single and childless). The difference in legal, economic, tax, financial and social benefits (not to mention many others) was truly incredible to me. The second I said "I do", I was the beneficiary of myriad benefits across a wide spectrum of areas even though I was the exact same person. I was also suddenly viewed very differently socially and culturally, as most singles older than 35 are looked on with more and more suspicion; my father and his side of the family suddenly began treating me as a real adult for the first time in my life, even though I was almost middle-aged! It was as if my life wasn't as important or didn't really matter until and unless I was married.
I'd known about all that before, having once been a member of the American Association of Single Persons (their website was a real eye-opener in regards to the many ways singles are discriminated against and the countless benefits they are denied), but to actually experience the difference between being single and married was a real change. I've never understood why that had to be the case. I understand the historical and sociological developments and reasons, but it still doesn't make any true sense.
I don't know if the website's still there, but it was www.unmarriedamerica.com.
chollybocker
(3,687 posts)And I always thought it was just me... Hope to see this issue raised, argued, and rectified before I kick the proverbial bucket. Onward and upward!
MattBaggins
(7,905 posts)All those benefits that are denied to young people is just unfair.
Ilsa
(61,710 posts)I married on mid-thirties. People treated me like I had reached some higher level of consciousness and social status after marriage. It's absurd.
boppers
(16,588 posts)Your post does not relate to discrimination of who is allowed to have those privileges.
silverweb
(16,402 posts)[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]I supported civil unions rather than marriage as a kind of compromise position. Basically, I was thinking, "Let the religious people have their precious 'marriage' word and let gays have all their legal rights without going to war over terminology."
I'm happy to say that it didn't take very long for same-sex marriage proponents to make me see the inequality inherent in that position. They also made me see that the anti-gay fundies were going to fight just as hard against civil unions, so it was going to be a battle no matter what terminology was used.
nobodyspecial
(2,286 posts)I appreciate all of the information and input I have received here.
silverweb
(16,402 posts)[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Yup. Why I'm totally addicted to DU.
If my computer's on, DU is up and running, even if I'm doing other things. It's my primary news source and filter, and DUers from all walks of life and areas of experience are always providing astute commentary.
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)and journey. The only defensible position is total equality for all.
silverweb
(16,402 posts)[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Emphasis on the word "total."
one_voice
(20,043 posts)I'm against the term "gay marriage" I prefer, marriage equality and I can't wait for the day that there's no distinction...it's just marriage for everyone that wants it.
But to answer your question, I don't think I've ever seen anyone here speak out against it. They shouldn't be here if that's how they feel...IMO.
vaberella
(24,634 posts)If prop 8 means anything.
onehandle
(51,122 posts)What can I say. I like the ladies. Mostly my wife.
boppers
(16,588 posts)Maybe a church program can convince you to change your sexuality. Maybe it's just a phase.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)...if a church began offering to 'pray away the straight.'
Skinner
(63,645 posts)joshcryer
(62,287 posts)Canuckistanian
(42,290 posts)Just a straight-forward admission.
Glad to see him/her go, then.
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)Been married three times, and same sex, all the time...not so good.
Now, equal marriage, I'm down with that!
joshcryer
(62,287 posts)I think it's an archaic religious institution that has no bearing on ones commitment to another, or others, even (not polyamorous but I am not against that, either, if we had an equal society that didn't stress polygamy as an alarming number in the world does).
That being said, I support full marriage equality for all adults because the society we are in gives marriages more rights, and in many cases excludes rights from individuals who, if they were heterosexual but not married, would have more rights.
Source for infographic: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2012/may/08/gay-rights-united-states#13365738467461&get_params=true
Being ideologically opposed to marriage is not a practical position in our authoritarian society. If anything, it is a highly dismissive and privileged position to have, therefore I keep it to myself usually.
I'm sure I'm not the only one here who doesn't see any real value in marriage, but I think typically we don't push our ideology on others, but you asked the question, and I answered it.
Zorra
(27,670 posts)Some high post subtle homophobes get TOSsed from time to time.
MIR is stellar at catching them, Skinner and EarlG seem to have developed good senses for detecting homophobes, and the LGBT community here is extremely sensitive to any homophobic nuance.
A homophobe with almost 12,000 posts got tombstoned on April 27th.
A transphobe with almost 15,000 posts got tombstoned on April 17th.
So yeah, they're here.
bluestate10
(10,942 posts)rational laws of society. Anti-gay laws are irrational. I support gay rights for no other reason than my support of the said human rights. In addition, gay people getting married has no impact on the choices that I have regarding who I would marry.
Smilo
(1,944 posts)Definition of GAY. 1. a: happily excited : merry <in a gay mood> b: keenly alive and exuberant : having or inducing high spirits
I really do think that many anti-Gay people are just jealous that they don't have a good marriage and someone who loves them and when they see happiness in others they just can't stand it.
cynatnite
(31,011 posts)NeverEnuff
(147 posts)How did the civil government take charge of a religious ceremony in the first place. So they could turn it into an income stream?
Starry Messenger
(32,342 posts)Sometimes they come right out and say it, or there is the other variation of "the government should get out of the marriage business" or "let religion have the word" or "civil unions are practically the same thing" or "letting you have your rights would not be politically expedient" or "gay marriage cost us the 2004 Presidential elections". It isn't as explicit, but still reactionary.
Behind the Aegis
(54,044 posts)Your post nails it.
Lugnut
(9,791 posts)I don't like the term "gay marriage" when plain old MARRIAGE would do just fine. My husband and I have been married for 45 years. Every loving couple regardless of gender should be able to do the same. I might be straight but I'm not narrow and I'm celebrating this day.
madokie
(51,076 posts)I'm straight and I'm celebrating this day too. Its been a long time coming.
Like I told my homophobic friend, if you're not gay then don't marry a man, If you don't believe in abortion then don't have one. Of course his eyes glassed over and his ears didn't hear a word I said. I'll keep working on him though.
BeHereNow
(17,162 posts)NO people I know and love on DU have a problem with marriage
between any people who love each other.
The ones that do?
Again, I ask, define "people."
BHN
DevonRex
(22,541 posts)That's absolutely against TOS and against all our values.
Enrique
(27,461 posts)got it.
Enrique
(27,461 posts)up until yesterday?
BanTheGOP
(1,068 posts)The media is all over Obama with their republicanized bias with voters, so Obama has to balance himself (though I wish he were more forthright on this issue earlier).
If Obama were a DU member, I would cut him slack because he's president. But there should be NO REASON why any of us should have to facetiously show indecision in this manner.
madokie
(51,076 posts)Trolls yes but actual paid members no I don't think so.
I have a dear friend who I won't out but maybe this will encourage him to do what would ultimately be the right choice for himself, my opinion. I'd hate to have to live my life in hiding and thats what he is doing now.
BanTheGOP
(1,068 posts)There can be NO reason for ANYONE to be against gay marriage. NONE. You may as well shout from the highest mountain that you are a rethug.