Same Sex Marriage

[Deebs]

I think our politicians are getting the best of us. I do think this is an important discussion, but it's a state's rights issue, not a federal one, so it doesn't matter all that much what a president or presidential candidate thinks. I'm confused as to how Joe Biden saying he supports gay marriage helped Obama "evolve" but if you look at how this all came about, it seems that is what happened (or the country's reaction was being gauged by having the largely unpopular VP test it out). I DO think that I am no longer hearing about the huge secret service scandal, or much else regarding what the president or presidential candidate hopes to do in the future as president. Instead, I am seeing news story after news story about something that the office of the president doesn't control. HMMM...call me a skeptic, but I really feel like this is a case of "watch the birdie."

[Vanquisher]

It IS a federal issue, because it is a basic human and civil rights issue.

[weeniegeniewife]

Here's another:

[DCJenn]

Living smack dab in gay family paradise, it's been interesting to watch the issue evolve. Some of my neighbors have married in the states where it's legal, others have had commitment ceremonies which of course aren't legal. All have legally changed their names and refer to their spouse as their spouse- husband, wife, etc. Those with children (the majority) have the natural parent (either the one who gave birth or the one whose sperm was used) and the other parent legally adopts the children. I have to say, anecdotally, we've had zero gay couples split up but plenty of hetero couples in the 'hood- and usually with cheating and melodrama, etc. We have so many families down here now that I'd have to sit and think about who is straight and who is gay because it doesn't matter at "gin & tonic playdate". (That's a Friday afternoon playdate for the toddlers/parents)

I've never thought it was a huge deal- having had great-uncles who were together for 50+ years. Luckily they lived in a very gay-friendly part of Florida and were able to be together at the end. If they had been in Podunk, I don't know.

J.

[Cinderella]

I don't think the President flip flopped. When he was a Senator he was for gay marriage. When he ran for President he modified it to civil union. I don't see enough difference between the two to constitute this as a flip-flop on the issue. During the course of his Presidency his administration has worked diligently for gay rights opposing the defense of marriage act, and turning back "Don't Ask Don't Tell". There are other things too I just can't recall them all. I believe he's come to a point where he and his administration have done enough work for gay rights that he can be more open again about his beliefs. I think for him it had to have evolved from an aspiring Presidental candidate to working on the Presidental platform making progress on issues that mattered to him in order for him to be able to see the bigger picture with the progress he's made. If he hadn't of made the progress they had with gay rights during his administration, and the reaction was much more than what it was with each bit he did, I doubt he would have said what he said recently in support of gay marriage. He may have continued to tout the civil union line.

[Deebs]

Exactly - when he was a state senator, he was for gay MARRIAGE, not civil unions. He also pushed that it was a state issue - I lived in Illinois when he was a state and US senator. His flip flop came in toning things down to run for president the first time. I think he's always been in favor of gay rights, but wouldn't stand up and remind people of it until it seemed more safe and popular. That is my issue, I guess. I wish that politicians would just be honest about who they are and what they believe in. Would it really surprise people that a Democrat is in favor of gay marriage? I guess I just don't get why he changed his position, and then sort of seemed to deny that he ever said he supported gay marriage, other than politics as usual. So Cinderella, I guess I agree with you? A lot of my FB friends in the Chicago area are gay and have had very mixed reactions to Obama saying he supports gay marriage and has "evolved." Their reactions seem to depend on what they remember from his time as state senator, specifically.

[Laker]

Same sex marriage is a civil rights issue. It should be legal and wholly supported by all the citizens of this country. All men and women are equal and deserve the legal and social and civil rights, privileges, and perils that come with marriage. Period.

Agree totally. One area I can find common ground with Obama.