I'm voting no just cus I have the right to, but I really don't have a dog in this fight. Plus things have been fine on this front in this country for the last 230 years.
Peace
B clark - 12 years ago
Inability to see others through the fog of my-way-or-no-way limits everyone through another "-ism". While everyone is entitled to their opinion, one does not have the right to make their personal opinion the law over others. Most intolerance is fear based. Get to know the "other" before condemning them and name calling - btw - I am a non-cultic Episcopalian.
A Stone - 12 years ago
Dear Respondent,
The tone of your reply sounds very angry and hateful. But I will try to help you .
Trying to assist you in the data you've requested, I have pulled up an article in The Huffington Post a liberal minded posting.
This article says that only about 2%, at most, of the population have ever engaged in homosexual acts. This is not the number of people who see their behavior as a permanent lifestyle. That number is much lower. Other reports say that number is less than one in two hundred. As in any polling, these numbers will fluctuate from survey to survey. So, to provide you with your data, somewhere close to one couple out of four hundred people would ever consider marrying someone of the same sex.
In regard to children wanting to know their natural parents. I don't know that any report has been done, so I suggest you ask children who are a part of this demographic, and ask the question " Would you like to know who your natural mother or father is?". Since every person knows they have one mother and one father and no person has ever had two natural mothers or fathers, I would think the percentage of these children in the survey would be very high.
Regarding the episcopal cult... Perhaps this was a little salty but most people know that what was once the Episcopal Church is now little more than the voice of the glbt community with little presence in The Word or natural reality. Whether you believe in a Devine Being or not, what gay men and lesbians do to each other is in no way natural or clean. Hence, the abnormally high rate of HIV/AIDS in that community. It is in no way a part of evolution nor creation and does not deserve the title of marriage.
In regard to rape or invest, that is an abortion issue, not same sex marriage. And a topic for a different day. However, if you are saying that rape caused a woman to become a lesbian, that sounds like a mental health issue. Men who rape are about, what, one in ten thousand? Perhaps, you have data.
Several persons that I have spoken with and known, after living a gay or lesbian lifestyle, have decided to start living a natural lifestyle, have and raise their own children. And are married and very happy. It's ok...
Many people know many "retired" homosexuals.
I am very happy in a natural heterosexual marriage raising our children. I will have no more time to help you with your questions. If you are still unhappy and are seeking answers for your life, I suggest you seek a professional.
I hope this helped.
KamQ - 12 years ago
@A. Stone
As a member of an Episcopal church, (not "cult" ) I can't take offense to anything you have said because you just just don't get it. Your delusions of believing that people choose to be gay says it all. I am going to challenge you on a few things you have said though and would like you to provide your facts and sources:
1. "All children will want to know there natural parents." My sister in law was born of rape, given up for adoption and absolutely does not want to know who her "natural" parents are.
Where are your facts for this? Sources please.
2. "Same sex couples only serve to destroy the natural family". Natural for who? Sources for this please. I would love to know.
3. "The best situation possible would be for people who engage in homosexual behavior to look at their personal issues, get over their fear or heterophobia, stop trying to change the world for the worse, find a natural opposite-sex person to fall in love with (he or she is out there if you stop convincing yourself you're gay) and Get Married". This is the best situation for WHO? You? Facts/sources again please.
4. "Life is good. And marriage is great if you open yourself up to a natural heterosexual relationship." I would love for you to tell those who have lived in same sex relationships how miserable they are and see the looks on their faces. Facts please.
Oh and ending your message with "Peace" seems incredibly contradictory.
Your comment oozes ignorance and I felt like it was 1937 when I read it. It is 2012 now and things have changed, no thanks to people like you who refuse to think of others and only about what is best for them.
A Stone - 12 years ago
Before a behavior can be considered equal, it first must be natural.
With respect to the pastor of episcopal cult, what two gay men do to each other, certainly is in no way clean or natural. The high rate of disease transmission in the gay community is evidence to that.
Sorry your feelings feel hurt but that is reality.
Children realize same sex couples cannot create children. And all children will want to know there natural parents.
Same sex couples only serve to destroy the natural family.
The best situation possible would be for people who engage in homosexual behavior to look at their personal issues, get over their fear or heterophobia, stop trying to change the world for the worse, find a natural opposite-sex person to fall in love with (he or she is out there if you stop convincing yourself you're gay) and Get Married.
A friend of mine, whom for 50 years, thought he was gay, is now happily married to a woman. He found out that she is a better partner (in all ways) than any man was for him.
Life is good. And marriage is great if you open yourself up to a natural heterosexual relationship.
And your relationship will be honored in any part or place in the world. Homosexual relationships will never be nationally or globally accepted.
Canada tried gay marriage and after years of too many problems and a very high divorce rate, Canada has now reversed course and outlawed gay marriage.
Peace
Wendy Perdue - 12 years ago
When straight teens date, they know that the person they are dating may be a future spouse. They know that it is possible to fall in love with that person and get married. Isn't that part of the whole reason for dating, school proms and the like? To give people experience with forming relationships with the hope of a future of commitment and love?
I eagerly met the people my straight son and daughter first brought home and, of course, in the back of my mind, wondered if this was the person they would marry. Were they good enough for my kid? But for one son, he knew from the start that dating could never lead to marriage. That somehow, though he wanted the same thing his siblings eventually got, he was excluded. Would you be thrilled for your straight daughter to come home and announce, "Mom, Dad, "Chris has asked me to domestically partner him."? Of course not. You'd wonder why they decided not to marry. If maybe they weren't ready for a real commitment.
Now society in Washington is deciding whether my gay son should be allowed to have the same rights as his siblings. Sometimes, for me, this seems just plain ridiculous. Why are others able to weigh in on the happiness of my family and my son? I think of all the gay kids, who grow up in traditional families wanting what they saw around them and worry that the messages they are getting from society is that they are the reason for the 50% divorce rate just because they want to be able to marry. I worry about the kids of single parents hearing the ads that will soon be on the airways telling them that kids without a mom and a dad are expected to turn out poorly. I fear that businesses who don't already know they can't legally discriminate against gays and lesbians in WA, will somehow think they will be able to, if R 74 is not approved. I worry that children growing up with two moms or two dads will hear ads saying their families are going to somehow harm marriage and they won't ever be able to feel the security of knowing their parents are married.
Most of the ads coming from those opposed to the freedom to marry will paint a grim picture if R74 is approved. But in Canada, Massachusetts and other states where it has been legal for years, none of these fears proved real. I only can hope that the citizens of WA are smarter than the ad makers opposing R74 think they are.
Shana Mattingly - 12 years ago
It's funny that we argue for children's rights when rejecting this referendum, because we have NO idea how that child will grow up in the future. What if they're homosexual? If so, we've already implied their lack of rights by requiring their parents to be a mom and a dad. It's extremely invalidating.
Seth Rogers - 12 years ago
When I look at this issue, to me it comes down to personal liberty and freedom. Who am I to say that two law-abiding, loving committed individuals cannot be provided the equality under the civil arena. After all, this has nothing to do with religion, it is strictly a civil one. To get stuck in an argument about "redefining" a word seems shallow to me, and I do not say this to offend anyone who does not support marriage equalty; rather, I do not understand why we are even having this disagreement about the word marriage. I am married and have children. To me, why should all my children not be provided the same level of equality. I believe in the separation of Church and State, so just as State cannot infringe on how a Church operates, the Church should not attempt to infringe on how the State operates.
Amber Dawn Seahawk - 12 years ago
I have been in a committed, loving same sex relationship with my partner for 8 years now. We are planning on having a baby together and in no way will our right to marry affect anyone's "traditional marriage". There have been studies conducted on children raised by same sex couples and there has been no proof it affects the children negatively at all. Clergy and churches are also protected under the measure if it passes and cannot be subject to lawsuits for refusal to marry same sex couples. Each church and denomination will be able to make that decision individually. I just want to be able to marry the person I love without regard to their gender and protect our future and know if something happens to either of us at anytime we will be able to be in the room with our dying spouses and be entitled to the same benefits as any other married couple currently is. Please not only for myself, but for the generations to come as well approve referendum 74. It may benefit one of your loved ones later.
I'm voting no just cus I have the right to, but I really don't have a dog in this fight. Plus things have been fine on this front in this country for the last 230 years.
Peace
Inability to see others through the fog of my-way-or-no-way limits everyone through another "-ism". While everyone is entitled to their opinion, one does not have the right to make their personal opinion the law over others. Most intolerance is fear based. Get to know the "other" before condemning them and name calling - btw - I am a non-cultic Episcopalian.
Dear Respondent,
The tone of your reply sounds very angry and hateful. But I will try to help you .
Trying to assist you in the data you've requested, I have pulled up an article in The Huffington Post a liberal minded posting.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2011/04/07/gay-population-us-estimate_n_846348.html
This article says that only about 2%, at most, of the population have ever engaged in homosexual acts. This is not the number of people who see their behavior as a permanent lifestyle. That number is much lower. Other reports say that number is less than one in two hundred. As in any polling, these numbers will fluctuate from survey to survey. So, to provide you with your data, somewhere close to one couple out of four hundred people would ever consider marrying someone of the same sex.
In regard to children wanting to know their natural parents. I don't know that any report has been done, so I suggest you ask children who are a part of this demographic, and ask the question " Would you like to know who your natural mother or father is?". Since every person knows they have one mother and one father and no person has ever had two natural mothers or fathers, I would think the percentage of these children in the survey would be very high.
Regarding the episcopal cult... Perhaps this was a little salty but most people know that what was once the Episcopal Church is now little more than the voice of the glbt community with little presence in The Word or natural reality. Whether you believe in a Devine Being or not, what gay men and lesbians do to each other is in no way natural or clean. Hence, the abnormally high rate of HIV/AIDS in that community. It is in no way a part of evolution nor creation and does not deserve the title of marriage.
In regard to rape or invest, that is an abortion issue, not same sex marriage. And a topic for a different day. However, if you are saying that rape caused a woman to become a lesbian, that sounds like a mental health issue. Men who rape are about, what, one in ten thousand? Perhaps, you have data.
Several persons that I have spoken with and known, after living a gay or lesbian lifestyle, have decided to start living a natural lifestyle, have and raise their own children. And are married and very happy. It's ok...
Many people know many "retired" homosexuals.
I am very happy in a natural heterosexual marriage raising our children. I will have no more time to help you with your questions. If you are still unhappy and are seeking answers for your life, I suggest you seek a professional.
I hope this helped.
@A. Stone
As a member of an Episcopal church, (not "cult" ) I can't take offense to anything you have said because you just just don't get it. Your delusions of believing that people choose to be gay says it all. I am going to challenge you on a few things you have said though and would like you to provide your facts and sources:
1. "All children will want to know there natural parents." My sister in law was born of rape, given up for adoption and absolutely does not want to know who her "natural" parents are.
Where are your facts for this? Sources please.
2. "Same sex couples only serve to destroy the natural family". Natural for who? Sources for this please. I would love to know.
3. "The best situation possible would be for people who engage in homosexual behavior to look at their personal issues, get over their fear or heterophobia, stop trying to change the world for the worse, find a natural opposite-sex person to fall in love with (he or she is out there if you stop convincing yourself you're gay) and Get Married". This is the best situation for WHO? You? Facts/sources again please.
4. "Life is good. And marriage is great if you open yourself up to a natural heterosexual relationship." I would love for you to tell those who have lived in same sex relationships how miserable they are and see the looks on their faces. Facts please.
Oh and ending your message with "Peace" seems incredibly contradictory.
Your comment oozes ignorance and I felt like it was 1937 when I read it. It is 2012 now and things have changed, no thanks to people like you who refuse to think of others and only about what is best for them.
Before a behavior can be considered equal, it first must be natural.
With respect to the pastor of episcopal cult, what two gay men do to each other, certainly is in no way clean or natural. The high rate of disease transmission in the gay community is evidence to that.
Sorry your feelings feel hurt but that is reality.
Children realize same sex couples cannot create children. And all children will want to know there natural parents.
Same sex couples only serve to destroy the natural family.
The best situation possible would be for people who engage in homosexual behavior to look at their personal issues, get over their fear or heterophobia, stop trying to change the world for the worse, find a natural opposite-sex person to fall in love with (he or she is out there if you stop convincing yourself you're gay) and Get Married.
A friend of mine, whom for 50 years, thought he was gay, is now happily married to a woman. He found out that she is a better partner (in all ways) than any man was for him.
Life is good. And marriage is great if you open yourself up to a natural heterosexual relationship.
And your relationship will be honored in any part or place in the world. Homosexual relationships will never be nationally or globally accepted.
Canada tried gay marriage and after years of too many problems and a very high divorce rate, Canada has now reversed course and outlawed gay marriage.
Peace
When straight teens date, they know that the person they are dating may be a future spouse. They know that it is possible to fall in love with that person and get married. Isn't that part of the whole reason for dating, school proms and the like? To give people experience with forming relationships with the hope of a future of commitment and love?
I eagerly met the people my straight son and daughter first brought home and, of course, in the back of my mind, wondered if this was the person they would marry. Were they good enough for my kid? But for one son, he knew from the start that dating could never lead to marriage. That somehow, though he wanted the same thing his siblings eventually got, he was excluded. Would you be thrilled for your straight daughter to come home and announce, "Mom, Dad, "Chris has asked me to domestically partner him."? Of course not. You'd wonder why they decided not to marry. If maybe they weren't ready for a real commitment.
Now society in Washington is deciding whether my gay son should be allowed to have the same rights as his siblings. Sometimes, for me, this seems just plain ridiculous. Why are others able to weigh in on the happiness of my family and my son? I think of all the gay kids, who grow up in traditional families wanting what they saw around them and worry that the messages they are getting from society is that they are the reason for the 50% divorce rate just because they want to be able to marry. I worry about the kids of single parents hearing the ads that will soon be on the airways telling them that kids without a mom and a dad are expected to turn out poorly. I fear that businesses who don't already know they can't legally discriminate against gays and lesbians in WA, will somehow think they will be able to, if R 74 is not approved. I worry that children growing up with two moms or two dads will hear ads saying their families are going to somehow harm marriage and they won't ever be able to feel the security of knowing their parents are married.
Most of the ads coming from those opposed to the freedom to marry will paint a grim picture if R74 is approved. But in Canada, Massachusetts and other states where it has been legal for years, none of these fears proved real. I only can hope that the citizens of WA are smarter than the ad makers opposing R74 think they are.
It's funny that we argue for children's rights when rejecting this referendum, because we have NO idea how that child will grow up in the future. What if they're homosexual? If so, we've already implied their lack of rights by requiring their parents to be a mom and a dad. It's extremely invalidating.
When I look at this issue, to me it comes down to personal liberty and freedom. Who am I to say that two law-abiding, loving committed individuals cannot be provided the equality under the civil arena. After all, this has nothing to do with religion, it is strictly a civil one. To get stuck in an argument about "redefining" a word seems shallow to me, and I do not say this to offend anyone who does not support marriage equalty; rather, I do not understand why we are even having this disagreement about the word marriage. I am married and have children. To me, why should all my children not be provided the same level of equality. I believe in the separation of Church and State, so just as State cannot infringe on how a Church operates, the Church should not attempt to infringe on how the State operates.
I have been in a committed, loving same sex relationship with my partner for 8 years now. We are planning on having a baby together and in no way will our right to marry affect anyone's "traditional marriage". There have been studies conducted on children raised by same sex couples and there has been no proof it affects the children negatively at all. Clergy and churches are also protected under the measure if it passes and cannot be subject to lawsuits for refusal to marry same sex couples. Each church and denomination will be able to make that decision individually. I just want to be able to marry the person I love without regard to their gender and protect our future and know if something happens to either of us at anytime we will be able to be in the room with our dying spouses and be entitled to the same benefits as any other married couple currently is. Please not only for myself, but for the generations to come as well approve referendum 74. It may benefit one of your loved ones later.