Thanks for the comment, Logan. I think that you're right in most of what you said. Straight people don't really need to fight for rights for being straight. I think that the open mockery and hatred of gays is wrong. It's a terrible travesty when someone is bullied, hurt, or mistreated for what they think or feel. However that does not mean that I support gays in their movement. But let me ask you a question, If people didn't openly hate people for being gay, what rights do gays have to fight for? I'm just curious to see how you respond. Thanks for the comment. (nice use of folly, by the way.)

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I think it's for the same reason that white people are seen has racist for having pride in being white, but black people are embracing their culture if they have pride in being black.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

"I get sick of listening to straight people complain about, "Well, hey, we don't have a heterosexual-pride day, why do you need a gay-pride day?" I remember when I was a kid I'd always ask my mom: "Why don't we have a Kid's Day? We have a Mother's Day and a Father's Day, but why don't we have a Kid's Day?" My mom would always say, "Every day is Kid's Day." To all those heterosexuals that bitch about gay pride, I say the same thing: Every day is heterosexual-pride day! Can't you people enjoy your banquet and not piss on those of us enjoying our crumbs over here in the corner?" -Rob Nash

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Like I said earlier, I think that it's terribly sad that gays are openly ridiculed and mocked by some people. And I definitely agree with Logan in his fight to stop the bullying and harassment. I think it's a noble cause to stop people from openly mistreating gays for being gay. Even though I think that being gay is wrong, that does not mean that I hate gays. I have quite a few homosexual friends. However, I find it curious how gay people fight so hard to be able to do things in this country that straight people can do. For example, marriage. How exactly do gay people view marriage? What is marriage to you? Thanks again for the feedback. This is quite informative for me.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Gay people view marriage as something everyone should be able to have. A union between two willing and consenting people who love eacho ther. Of course, if you're homosexual and you live in an area where gay marriage isn't allowed, you can't have it. You can ask gays to be in a heterosexual relationship (eventually marriage), but would be just as depressing for a heterosexual in a homosexual relationship. Also, there are over a thousand benefits(legal wise) that married couples and only married couples can have. gay people see this as unfair because it means that in the end, only straight people can have there benefits. Unless of course, gays marry someone of the opposite sex to make it a legal marriage. But like I explained, it would be a very depressing marriage. Many people who are against gay marriage have proposed "civil unions" which I think gives gay people a certain legal status and all the rights(I think) that a married couple has. But a civil union isn't a marriage, therefor not exactly equal. And gays want equality.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Thanks for the response. Loops, do you think you could give me a few of the legal rights that married couples have that non-married couples do not? The only one I can think of is adoption. Though I'm not sure if you need to be married to do that. Anyway, I genuinely think that you have a very interesting definition of marriage. I've always understood marriage as a distinctly Christian ceremony between a man and a woman. Both the man and woman take vows in front of witnesses and under the God of the Bible to be faithful and loving to one another for as long as they both shall live in no matter what circumstances. So my question for you, Loops, is what do you think is the difference between your definition of marriage, and cohabitation other than a legal sense? To me, I'm not really seeing any difference between a cohabiting couple (or civil union) and a married couple in a way other than legal. What I'm trying to ask is do you think that there is a difference between a non-married couple and a married couple other than a legal difference?

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Totally inserting myself here, sorry, but I couldn't help myself... I think a main issue is that marriage for you & people of faith is a religious rite. But to those who don't practice a faith (like myself), marriage has no religious connotations. It is a legal status, but just because we only see it as a legal matter doesn't make it any less important. As you said, people are raised believing that marriage is the ultimate act of commitment, the act that says, "You're IT."; the only difference is that we don't say it "under god." To deny that option to someone is like saying s/he's a lesser person. To me, the benefits of marriage aren't just economical. When you say you're *married*, that carries a greater weight to most people than being in a civil union - no matter how hard the government may emphasize they are the same. (This is not to say I believe that the couples in civil unions are not as devoted as married couples!) Although it has been said in the context of racial segregation, "Separate is not equal." fits this situation to me. Because the government makes a distinction, it just perpetuates the mindset that LGBT shouldn't be treated the same as heterosexuals.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Also, I just realized I wrote the previous comment from the stance that all LGBT are atheists, which I'm sure isn't the case. I can't even imagine being in that position - wanting to get married but hearing that the church they go to doesn't believe that (heck, their lifestyle) is right. Btw, I don't mean to come off as attacking your beliefs. From your comments, you seem like a nice person who is keeping his mind open, which I greatly respect. This is just a topic that I am very opinionated about as I have several friends who are LGBT and have suffered for unjustly for it. I hope this sheds some light.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Wow this is awesome. Thanks for the comments guys. This is really great fun and I enjoy your guy's enthusiasm. You guys have some great arguments that are really making me think. Thanks for that. Though, I think it might be wiser (or more helpful to me) to over look this issue of marriage and get to a bigger and broader point. I've noticed a few times that you guys mention that you are Atheist. Would you guys be too bothered explaining what that means in more detail? I've been told several things from different people about what they think atheism is, but I'd like to hear it straight from the horse's mouth, if you know what I mean. XD

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I would reply to your other comment towards me, but I think sparekey and Logan have it covered. Unless you think there is something I should add . I will answer your last question in your reply: "you think that there is a difference between a non-married couple and a married couple other than a legal difference?". I think it's that status. Nothing has that ring, that impact of saying "I am married". "I am in a civil union" just doesn't cut it for many gays. Marriage for much of humanity has been a prized thing. And many gays won't stop until they can obtain it. I know you said that you understood marriage to be a distinct Christian ceremony. But many people, secularists especially, say marriage has less to do with religion and more about the legal status and the title. Think about it, is marriage today really a distinct Christian ceremony if Atheists, Muslims, Buddhists etc can get legally married? As for Atheism for me, I see it as a "rejection of the idea of God". I, as an atheist, don't claim anything. I just reject the idea of God because I see no concrete proof. Many would say "Well you don't have proof that there isn't a god". But I say "what can be asserted without p...

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Cool. Thanks Loops. That helps me understand a bit more about what gays think of marriage. As for atheism, maybe I could ask a better question as to what I'm getting at. I'm kindof a philosophizer and I like to use simple terms when discussing the big issues, so indulge me. Is there, in your opinion, an absolute truth in the universe? That question might be super clear, so feel free to call me out if I need to clarify.

by Anonymous 12 years ago