The Gay debate

These arguments are all great...Why can't the heterosexuals leave the homosexuals alone? Honestly, are we disturbing you? If you don't like seeing two females or males walking down the street look down the other way. It seems that we are in the 1800's again. Why are we getting discriminated again? This is a debate that won't go away but if you think about it, the straight people that don't accept it are making it harder on themselves. You don't have to agree but just let us live our lives and move on. Focus on your own lives, not people that you don't know. Maybe if you got to know some of us you would maybe tolerate and GOD FORBID maybe even befriend us.
No wait, don't. And I read the marrying animals comment...Completely ridiculous. How do you sleep at night being so closed minded? I bet great but just think about the people that you are looking past just because you are scared of the unknown!

Create equality by ABOLISHING Tax benefits for married couples.

I am a gay man. I have been in a relationship for 5 years. My partner makes more money than I and cannot claim me on his taxes.

Married couples can claim eachother on their taxes and receive GREAT tax breaks.

This is why we need rights.

What would Jesus do? LOVE ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN, regardless of sexual orientation. Stop using a religion whose most important religious symbol was the most tolerant and loving figure in human history to justify your fears, insecurities, and hatred.

I am straight. I am married. I do not care for the lifestyle the gay/lesbian/transexuals choose but it is their right to do so. If they want to get married or have life partners then that is fine by me. They should be afforded the same rights as couples as straight people are.
They have no rights as families, they can't even have their life partners make decisions about their health or family because they aren't deemed family. They are pushed aside and their wishes are not recognized. Children are given to grandparents never to see the other parents again because of the fear of the (lifestyle) and how it is going to affect the kids. Bull! Kids just want to be loved. It doesn't matter who just as long as they are treated with kindness and love. Parents come in all shapes and all sizes.

I'm straight and applaud the democratic party!! Since when did the bible run this country? I thought it was the CONSTITUTION, but that might just be me. The Republican Party is far behind on ALL social issues. For someone to argue politics with me and bring in the bible, is quite condescending. AND WHY THE HELL ARENT REPUBLICANS joining this debate? or commenting on it? I see where they are on these issues, a sad party indeed.

Along with being straight, I am also a LTCDR in the NAVY. "Dont ask, dont tell" is a abomination. I work with gays and I would much rather work beside some of them than these "straights". I believe in the constitution and "equality for all".

Gay or not. You are still a Man and a Woman. Get over your weakness.
I dont think it should be allowed! period, for lesbians to use the ability of a MANS spearm to have children, when they denounce the NORMAL way of reproduction. Men when you donate, always specify how the spearm is to be used only for the reproduction of a baby between a MAN and a Woman. Lesbians have one purpose in life, turn on the MEN. Gays (men) have one purpose in life, to get rid of women.

If the "Americans for Truth" had taken their lofty moral stance against, say, mistreatment of animals, would they have received the publicity they now have? I think not. Raging against the so-called "gay agenda" (whatever that might be) is a sure-fire way of getting one's organization noticed, as well as a sure-fire way of advertising one's bigotry.

The only debate on this issue should be why the following countries have yet to fall apart after passing legislation repealing anti-discriminatory policies and either allowing civil union or same sex marriage.Some of which have been in effect since 1993. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, Iceland, France, Germany, Portugal, Finland, Luxemborg, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Andorra, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Israel, Hungary, Croatia, Austria, Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, Belgium, Canada. In some areas, Mexico, Italy, Brazil, Australia, Argentina, and of course Massachusetts. Seems to me it's like beating a dead horse on the stage of world opinion. I think it's high time for our legislators to repeal laws and pass legislation allowing everyone the civil legal right's to be equal, and then move on to more important matters, also keep the church out of it. Marriage is a civil matter in the first place. I can't recall any church authorized to issue a marriage license.

Bigots need to get over themselves. People are gay and they should be treated equally, fairly, and with dignity. They are still discriminated against on so many fronts that yes they do need a debate about issues specific to their community.

To Marty, Your right, I did not respond directly to the question.
It is a moot point.
This event will happen, will it be good for the Democratic party? NO.
Will it turn the debate from the serious problems facing this nation? YES. Will it influence voters? YES.
Do I approve of it? NO. WHY? Because it is an issue that divides our nation
when we need to stand united.
It will be aired on a channel that many Americans do not have access to, in the closet so to speak.
It would most helpful if the gay and lesbian community could step up on some of the other issues concerning this nation and not divide the vote.
What do you think about the war, immigration, national security, border patrols, national identity cards, health care, social security, education and foreign policy? It is common ground that brings people together.

I don't see many people making comments which actually address the questions which Mr Tapper closed his entry with!

I think the hosting of this debate is a non-event. I see it as pandering to a demographic which the Democrats have not done much for despite all their talk.

If the RNC chooses to take a position, it will only be a repeat of what they have proclaimed before. In my dreams, they would say they are still examining the progress of the issue but instead I assume they will just parrot back what they usually say.

As far as the Republican candidates, my concern continues to be all of the attention the Religious Right continues to receive as the speaking voice for them in the press. I would hope by now the Republican party would see that being guided by only one aspect of a multicultural society is not a wise choice.

And after reading so many comments below, I have to point out to "Benjamin" one thing: he insists that what "sex" homosexuals have is unnatural and damaging but I know of no acts that we get up to that are not also being done between heterosexuals as well.

One final point: not all homosexuals are Democrats.

If God did not want any gay people on earth, there would be no gay people on earth. You can not tell other humans what god wants, and decide for the rest of us who gets to go where upon dying. You are only a human and no higher than ANY other human. I also have a dream that my children be judged solely on the content of their character, not the unfounded opinions of the self-righteous.

Why don't the gays and lesbians make a list of EXACTLY what they need to "feel"
equal?
If you get a civil union - you want a church wedding scantified by God and the church and the congregation.
How can the government grant that? Division of church and state prevents it.
I think what you want is absolution. If you "need" that then only God can grant it. If you don't need it... then what is the problem?
If you are granted a civil union, you still - will never get approval for your lifestyle, that is just a fact and reality.
Abortion rights were granted by the government, it doesn't make it right... it just makes it legal. Abortion is still recognized as a sin by the church.
The tax dollars of many citizens who in their heart and faith have to pay for and support what they believe to be a sin, to end a human life.
People in this country still struggle with inter racial and inter faith heterosexual marriages.
If you want equal rights by the state, that is one thing. Approval, by the the chruch and the population - isn't going to happen. Tolerance yes, approval no.

Hmmm, I believe that most of you really need to go and get some professional help. Politics are just that Politics. Religion is just that Religion. Peoples choices are just that, Their Choices. There is not a single perfect person on this earth, why do people insist on throwing stones when they live in glass houses?

I personally take a great deal of offense at people suggesting that lesbians and gays are not fit to be parents. I was raised by two loving lesbians who paid their taxes and volunteered hours a week at a homeless shelter for over fifteen years. I was teased by a lot of kids, and as a result many of my friends growing up wound up being from other gay and lesbian families. Of the twenty-odd kids I actively know and stay in touch with from this group, not a single one of them was ever beaten or otherwise harmed - although one was molested by a Catholic priest! Gay and lesbian parents have to fight to be parents - and if they do that fight, I guarantee they really WANT to be parents and are ready for the responsibility. Conversely, my husband, raised by a traditional mother and father, was beaten regularly by his dad and his younger sister was sexually molested by same. That ideal, heterosexual dad has been in prison for the last 12 years. This is an extreme example, obviously, but I hope it drives home that there are far more important things to parenting and family life than idiotic discourse about who must or must not be privileged with the blessing and responsibility of raising a child. KIDS DON'T CARE ABOUT SEXUAL ORIENTATION, THEY JUST WANT A LOVING AND SUPPORTIVE HOME. By the way, my moms are great grandmoms, too.

Lots of people say they support gay marriage until they see two men kissing and holding hands or one woman carrying another woman down the aisle -- and they cover their childrens' eyes. That's when people say, "What was I thinking?".

Why dont they call it something else and give them the same rights. Marrage is part of the bible. Call it something else and see if that calms things down. I do not like the gay lifestyle and it goes against God and Nature. But people have rights and I must repect that. The gay community is trying to press themselves into my church and my life. That is the way alot of us feel. Try calling it something else and move on. We will both have the same rights without stepping on each others shoes.

When will the 4% or less of people who like the same sex leave the rest of the 96% of the heterosexual population alone. Stop trying to force your unnatural, immoral, and illogical ideas and behavior on the rest of society. God back into the closet and stay there. Homosexual behavior is nothing to be proud about.

Why can't everyone just leave the gays alone they are a happy people. I do not care what their choice is when it comes
with whom they want to be.
I do not think that they care about what other people do, why can't we just leave them alone.
Democrats clean up your own back yard then see what is left over after they are finished.
THOSE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NEVER NEVER THROW STONES!!!

Gee, last time I checked, the Constitution was the basis of law in this country, not the Bible. If it was the Bible, an American Taliban would already be running the country. Damn, they are. It's called the Republican Party. And what is this "gay agenda" they're always foaming at the mouth about? Do they mean teaching tolerance? Like Jesus did? If God hates anyone, it's hateful, bigoted, intolerant, closed minded, self righteous, malicious thugs, not homosexuals.