Moderators: Please let this poll remain here since the gay & lesbian rights section is infested with trolls. Thanks.

Please make your selection.

I have to admit that I was shocked by Barney's support for civil unions. I am curious how much support exists for them. If you are not in favor of civil unions, please give a reason.

As is clear, I favor gay marriage because I believe gay couples are simiarly situated to heterosexual couples. I have posited, though, that it is the rights that are important and not the term "marriage."

If civil unions were adopted (on both the state level and on the federal level (to grant federal rights (i.e. tax, immigration, etc.)), even a liberal-leaning court wouldn't entertain a suit under the 14th amendment's equal protection clause because with the rights being equal, the only difference would be the actual term "marriage" and the court would consider such a suit de minimus.

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"George W. Bush surrounds himself with smart people the way a hole surrounds itself with a donut." —Dennis Miller

Gay couples deserve basic rights as defined by the Constitution. The issue of marriage, however, is a cultural one that cannot and should not be violated by our government.

I think civil unions are the just thing to do. I agree with Hans that marriage is a cultural issue. Not the government's business.


I do have to admit PJ, before entering this forum, I was a tad bit closed minded on the gay marriage issue. You have made some excellent points on this issue that have made me rethink my position a bit.

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Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness ~Thomas Paine

Thank you. And let me tell you that seeing people like you, Hans, Barney, and others supporting civil unions gives me pause about my views on gay marriage.

Don't get me wrong...I do believe that gay couples are similarly situated and that the government doesn't have a legitimate interest in denying gays the right to marry, but when I see people like you guys being reasonable, I remember that the federal constitution only came about as a result of compromise and if people are willing to share the rights that marriage affords, then gay rights proponents should try to understand the importance of the word "marriage" and be reasonable about our demands.

It may be true that a poll on an internet forum won't change laws, but for those of us interested in politics, it is nice to see common ground. Perhaps that common ground has existed for a while, but I -- for one -- didn't realize it.

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"George W. Bush surrounds himself with smart people the way a hole surrounds itself with a donut." —Dennis Miller

http://www.politicalforum.com/viewto...+unions#110042

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"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves." ~Ronald Reagan

Ok, then vote.

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"George W. Bush surrounds himself with smart people the way a hole surrounds itself with a donut." —Dennis Miller

I have always favored that.

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All you need to know about the energy crisis:
ANWR Exploration Republicans: 91% Supported. Democrats: 86% Opposed.
Coal-to-liquid R's: 90% YES. D's: 78% NO.
Oil Shale Exploration R's: 90% YES. D's: 86% NO.
Outer Continental Shelf Exploration R's: 81% YES. D's: 83% NO.
Increased Refinery Capacity R's: 97% YES. D's: 96% NO

SUMMARY: 91% of House Republicans have historically voted to increase the production of America’s own oil and gas. 86% of House Democrats have historically voted against.

Domestic partnerships should be allowed to everyone not just gays. Of course that is my opinion. But I know a young woman here where I work who takes care of her mother but cannot have her on her insurance. I think she should be on her insurance, I would rather pay to have her on then on welfare.

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Those who think they know everything, usually know the least.

I have many friends who are openly homosexual. I love them just as much as any of my straight friends, I really do. I believe that they should have the same rights as other people, no questions asked. But to alter the meaning of marriage because of it is not the right way to do it. If it's an issue of rights, I say by all means grant them their rights! But does the means justify the end? I would contend that in a fundemental way it does not, simply because there is no viable reason to do so. Calling a homosexual couple married doesn't justify changing what marriage has always been.

can you believe this consensus?

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Man up.