Gay rights

[defoliate_bush]

Don't get me wrong. I am %100 behind marriage rights. Hell, I'm a lesbian! However, I don't think this is the time for the Democratic Party to be crusading for gay marriage. I know that if Democrats show strong support for it now, Kerry/Edwards will be at a HUGE disadvantage. If we have another four years of this Bush regime, gays and lesbians will NEVER have rights. Right now we need to stick to the real issues-the economy, the war, etc. What do you guys think?

[David Dunham]

1. Democrats still should be AGAINST the GOP's constitutional amendment

I agree this is not the time for Dems to push gay marriage, but Dems should still oppose Bush's contitutional amendment, which would ban gay marriage permanently.

[ibegurpard]

3. Agreed.

I'm not expecting the Democrats to become champions for the cause however I very much expect them to be against amending the constitution to explicitly DENY rights to people.

[defoliate_bush]

8. Of course

It's pretty certain that this amendment won't pass anyway. I just think that it should be kept subtle. I correct myself about the "crusading" part, though. Very few dems actually support gay marriage.

[put out]

12. I do. So does my mate. n/t

[Bluebear]

2. Dem party did not crusade for gay marriage.

This is strictly being brought up by the GOP as a wedge issue.

[murielm99]

4. The Democrats are not actually crusading for this.

The repukes are trying to use it as a wedge issue.

I don't think there is ever a bad time to crusade for peoples' rights.

But Kerry and Edwards are not actually doing that.

It is the same for African Americans. They were always told to wait, to go slow. I did not agree with that either.

But I don't think this election will hinge on gay rights, either way.

[David Zephyr]

5. Excellent Response, Murielm99.

Couldn't possibly have said it better.

[Misunderestimator]

21. Well said, and succinct.

:thumbsup:

[cardlaw]

6. I say

just force a cloture vote. Fend of Repub crap about not allowing a vote by noting that amending the Constitution requires 67 votes, a cloture vote requires only 60. If they can't get 60 votes, they sure as hell can't get 67.

[arcos]

7. the Dems will allow a vote on Wednesday...

but the ammendment will never pass.

[phillysuse]

9. The Gay Marriage issue and Republicans

Whatever happened to States rights?

I thought Republicans were for limited Federal
Government and States Rights!

This is an issue that should be left to the
States.

[Warren DeMontague]

17. States Rights? Ha!

Tell that to the medical marijuana patients here in CA who've had their doors kicked down by Asscroft's DEA. States rights only apply when we're dealing with the state's right to be fascist or asinine. States do not have the right to be any more liberal than the dumbest right-wing hick common denominator. Welcome to America.

[newyawker99]

18. Hi phillysuse!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Warpy]

10. How about pointing out

that gays and lesbians have been getting married for months in California and a few other places and the sky hasn't fallen, men haven't deserted their wives and kiddies to go searching for the men of their dreams, and nobody who isn't sitting out in a thunderstorm hasn't been hit by lightning?

That should do it. It's a big ho-hum and I think even fundies have more pressing issues.

I don't think we have to do anything but point out the obvious. No crusading for gay marriage is needed. It's an idea whose time has come. Let the right expend time and energy shrieking against it.

What else have they got?

[westsidexview]

11. yes

to play the cultural wars game card has one effect: to have people who should vote democrat instead vote republican. republicans are so sexually repressed. why should they be so concerned with other people's sex lives? whatever peeping tom tendencies freepers have, don't give them the issue to exploit the republican-duped voting cattle.

[TexasSissy]

13. I agree. This was handed to the GOP on a platter by Massachusetts.

And they have run with it. Gays may not realize it, since I think they mainly live in communities and cities that are more accepting of homosexuality, but polls have shown that majority of Americans want marriage to remain between a man and a woman, although they're okay with civil unions for gays.

I don't know how many votes the GOP will get or solidify with this issue, but they'll get some. And it may make a difference in what will probably be a very close race.

A safer, better national strategy would have been to let things lie low until after the election, and then pursue the issue through the states and courts, or force President Kerry to deal with it. Democrats are much more sympathetic on this issue. And Kerry doesn't think this is a federal issue.

But I don't think there's a national strategy. If * wins, there will definitely be a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. If it doesn't pass this time, it will eventually. And the Repubs are like pit bulls - they don't give up on bills that speak to their base.

[Misunderestimator]

22. What?!? "Gays" mainly live in communities that are accepting?

That's quite a general statement to make. In fact, "gays" (fyi "gay people" would be a bit more polite term to use) live everywhere you straight people do.

It isn't about LETTING things lie low... it's about this being shoved down our throats as an issue by the GOP. :mad:

[Duncan Grant]

14. Nothing but FLAMEBAIT. Hope DU can see through it.

Crusading for gay marriage? Who's doing that? Name someone - anyone. And then we'll discuss.

Hmm, something's rotten in Demark here...

[Misunderestimator]

20. Thank you for pointing that out! It is a bit smelly.

[xocolatl]

15. Agreed (also gay here) n/t

[Aunt Anti-bush]

16. I would have to say you are right.

I wish now that his position on gay rights is 'out' (forgive the pun) I think he should put it on the backburner just simply to gather together other supporters to be able to win the election. However, I don't think it will hurt him to keep it up, either. If you think about it there aren't too many people left who don't have a loved one or a friend who is gay. A lot of straight people like me who believe in straight-marriage also believe our gay relatives and friends should enjoy the same legal rights.

[Misunderestimator]

19. This flamebait issue has been done to death here. n/t