Hurray for gay marriage!

[DrFaroohk]

So like a few days ago they just passed a bill to allow gay marriage in my state.

I'm not sure why I care, as I'm not gay, neither is my wife, nor are any of my friends or family...

But it's still nice to see some of my friends with the strong nazi-istic tendencies to get all red in the face and start spouting bible verses.

[Rapscallion]

So, why are they friends? Did I miss a sarcasm tag?

Rapscallion

[DrFaroohk]

Ah. I should point out that, as I have no real friends, I consider anyone who is willing to speak to me a friend.

[Boozy]

I'm not sure why I care, as I'm not gay, neither is my wife, nor are any of my friends or family...

I'm willing to bet that at least one of your family members, friends, or co-workers is gay, and you just don't know it. Most people with a reasonably-sized social network will have someone in their lives who is gay.

And you care because gay marriage is not a "gay" issue, it is a civil rights issue, and you've recognized that.

[powerboy]

Ah. I should point out that, as I have no real friends, I consider anyone who is willing to speak to me a friend.

So only people on the net, are you friends.


I just had too.

[smileyeagle1021]

I'm willing to bet that at least one of your family members, friends, or co-workers is gay, and you just don't know it.

yes, we are everywhere

hell, even as a gay guy I'm always surprised to find out how many people I know are gay.

and you're right boozy, this isn't a gay issue, it is a human issue. I've got a semi open invitation for any bible thumper who believes I'm not human enough... please cut me (preferably not to deep and avoiding any major arteries thanks ) and see that I too bleed. I guarantee, my blood will be red and warm, just like yours. I will feel pain from the cut, just like you would. Eventually the wound will scab over, just like it would on you, and eventually I'll get a scar, just as you would. And most importantly, though harder to see, that blood will be pumped by a heart that feels love and pain exactly the same way yours does.

[Slytovhand]

that blood will be pumped by a heart that feels love and pain exactly the same way yours does.

Well, actually, since the heart is a muscle, you'd be hard pressed to push that one..(hey, you were quoting biology...)

[smileyeagle1021]

Well, actually, since the heart is a muscle, you'd be hard pressed to push that one..(hey, you were quoting biology...)

it's called poetic license

[DrFaroohk]

Hey here's a good one - in places where gay marriage is legal, do you think private business owners of wedding services (catering, bands, photographers, etc...) should have the right to refuse to work at a gay wedding if they still have a problem with it?

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Sure. While I absolutely think that it should be a basic human right to marry any consenting adult you choose, it also should be a basic human right to do business or not do business with anyone you choose.

[Rapscallion]

Sure. While I absolutely think that it should be a basic human right to marry any consenting adult you choose, it also should be a basic human right to do business or not do business with anyone you choose.

Not convinced by that, RK. Used to be that black people weren't allowed in certain stores simply because of the colour of their skin.

I do agree with the concept of not doing business with those who offend you, but I'm cautious about what the cause of offence should be.

Rapscallion

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Well, my thinking on that is that assholes should, within reason, be allowed to be assholes.

That way, we can easily spot them.

I figure you make it known you practice some kind of ugly discrimination at your business, you won't BE in business much longer. Word gets out you're a bigot, people are going to start voting with their feet.

There's plenty of ethical businesses out there to give your money to. Let the bigots go on and be bigots and see how that works out for them.

[Rapscallion]

The problem there is that they can bring out assholish tendencies in others. People who wouldn't normally go down that route could be encouraged in that regard and then find themselves addicted to the power that comes from discrimination.

Some things start small, and I don't want a return to the bad old days where discrimination on those sorts of grounds is accepted by society.

Rapscallion

[Boozy]

You have the right to be a discriminatory asshole in your own home. That's private property.

But a business is not considered private property. This is not my opinion, this is law in most successful Western economies, including the US. Business enterprises cannot be considered private in order for capitalist economies to function properly.

Edited to add: Churches are in a different class than businesses. They have more freedom to do what they'd like, including choosing who they will and will not marry.

[AdminAssistant]

I would offer that churches can refuse to host ceremonies for gay/lesbian couples, on the condition that they give up their tax-free status with the government. Seems fair.