I thought it was a joke thread.  Silly me.  Now I must say to myself, "stay out of it.  you're a grown-up, it'll just upset you and won't change anyone's mind." over and over.  Still, grrr.  Must find something productive to do with these feelings.  I think I'll research any laws about allowing gay marraige here in NY.

I just got done reading the whole darn thing.  Here's the thing tho', Chris & all the others who are supportive of gay marriage really rocked!!  And the thread has stayed civil.  

Chris - if you stop by here & read this I've got to say that I love ya!  You are respectful & ask thoughtful, intelligent questions & I really, really appreciate that.

What I find interesting on this particulary thread that when questioned about other bible passages, the pro-yes people have no answers, none, except that its what they believe, so they are voting yes.  It's what I call blind faith - instead of actually questiong what the bible says & trying to understand better, they fall back on ' that's what I believe, that's my faith' and put their blinders back on.  And so it goes....

Janelle, I'm so sorry about your friend.  I can't imagine the pain.

I do agree with Mary - as much as the zealots are so frustrating on that thread, the fact is that the majority of us here (conservatives and liberals alike) support gay marriage.  I have to take heart in this because otherwise I let the zealots get under my skin too much....

I was so frustrated on that thread last night my boyfriend threatened to take away my laptop!  But I just keep telling myself if I can get one person to just question what they beleive maybe something will sink in. 

Keep on keeping on.  Suzanne, I let them get under my skin sometimes also - I have issues with organized religion to begin with having been raised in it most my life.  It has only been in the last year that I have gone back to church on ocassion - and only because they are open & affirming.  But I have to admit that I'm still gun shy when it comes to religion.

Sarah - I see that you are a relatively new member, so first of all, let me say WELCOME!!!  Secondly, thank you too for all your nicely worded posts on the Vote Yes thread, I for one, appreciate the support.  The gay community can't get equal rights on it's own, we need all the allies we can get!

Just thought I pop in here and offer my supportive wishes that the world soon learns to clelebrate our diversity.

I can't tell you how much the decrimination in the name of God exampled in that post disturbs me.

Maybe their god WIll call them home soon. I guess that's one prayer we can all get behind, lol.

Thanks Mary!  Honestly, I really (maybe sadomasochistly) enjoyed that thread.  It got me really fired up for my Vote No on 2 campaigning at the courthouse today and I was impressed by those who supported gay rights.  Once they started talking about the Bible though, I pretty much zoned out.  There's pretty much no arguing with those people (not Christians but those who use the Bible against gay rights). 

I wanted to say so much but just couldn't seem to form the right words and in a nice way. Thankfully some of the other wonderful members of this website said some awesome things in my place. . .

I really can't belive people feel that way, esp in the name of Christ or God. . . it deeply saddens me.

I'm so glad that other PBS members had such eloquent, empathetic things to say.  I have really strong feelings anytime I hear that kind of paranoid homophobia (every civilization that had "embraced" homosexuality has fallen?), but since joining the PBS boards I've seen that there are certain topics that an impersonal forum like this isn't going to change. So, like other people said they were donating to a worthy cause every time they read something like the vote Yes thread, I'm going to stay out of it, and try to put my anger to more productive use.  To that purpose, if anyone's interested this is the http://www.marriageequalityny.org/involve.html to marraige equality in New York (personally, I can't believe CT approved gay marraige before NY, how did that happen? Come on New Yorkers, lets step it up!)

And to those who do post in response to homophobia and ignorance, I admire you and hope you do change someone's mind.

I started to post in there and then I erased.  Sometimes I am not in the mood to beat my head against a wall.

How nice of some of them to express empathy for the pain and discrimination they are causing.

/sarcasim

I am immensely disappointed in FL right now.  

I just want to grab hold and shake some people sometimes, but I know that isn't productive.  I really respect those who can be so level-headed in the face of extreme prejudice and adversary.

I really respect those who can be so level-headed in the face of extreme prejudice and adversary.

Me too. Many, many time I typed things and then deleted them and walked away.

I stayed out of the political threads for the most part, so I didn't see the one this thread mentions.  However, you can be assured that whenever I see people spouting against GLBT people, I will say something.  I already did today, in the CA Prop 8 thread.  I feel it's my civic duty to take a stand, to not be quiet until all people are considered equal in our society.  Discrimination should never be acceptable, let alone legal and legislated.

Just know that there are a lot of people who don't agree with the hate speech.

Hey, you can believe that change is possible. I am proof of that. (= I started to question my beliefs (more my mom's than mine) at a young age and it took me many years to decide what I really believed about life, death, etc.

It is patient people like you guys on here who helped me by listening to me and talking to me about your ideas. I remember posting early on with questions and book suggestions to help me understand more about LGBTQ issues. Jessie was a BIG help with some great suggestions.

Anyway, just remember that there is hope, I promise! Try to be respectful and informative (as much as possible) and maybe someone will eventually listen and question their beliefs. (=

i don't think the people who voted for this proposition will understand the pain we feel until that time in their life comes along... and something that should be available to them, no questions about it, is denied. until maybe their spouse is in a hospital room, but his/her fmaily won't let you in because you aren't blood... or...maybe they take your house that you helped pay because your spouse died and it was in his/her name... and a will wasn't left behind. not that even a will matters anymore. all that is respected is what you can take with the assistance of a lawyer.

it would be like me denying straight people medical assistance because i don't morally agree with them being straight. after all, the divorce rate is so high, why would i want to tarnish my hands on them anyway. but i'm not like that. i walk into a job everyday where i know that 90% of the people i work with would've voted against allowed me to get married... and i see how self righteous they are. and if i left, most of them would be so thankful. but, i too have mouths to feed and a family to raise( yes biological children) and a life to live.

personally, i think if a person is not allowed access to every "perk" a country allows to a single person, then i should not have to pay taxes. i mean if i can't have insurance with my partner(that i will willingly pay for) why should i have to pay taxes? we pay out twice the money  in insurance as a straight couple because i cannot have her and her 2 kids onmy insurance or my 2 kids and i cannot be on her insurance... ya know..one family plan instead of two. the only reason she and i are on the car insurances together is because our agent has a gay brother and she feels us being on the policy together is no different than a straight nonmarried couple having it together (which is allowed no questions asked by the way).

i don't know. sometimes i just cry because i can't "legally" marry the most beautiful person inside and out that i have ever known. it brings me to tears even as i type this... so let me stop because i am at work... can't let them see me cry right?

Haha...and this coming from an extremely butch woman... i'm supposed to be hard dammit!

Kristi, I have many close gay and lesbian friends and a lesbian cousin, and for the last 17 years I have watched them struggle with the same issues you discussed.

Thankfully, here in NJ we have Domestic Partnerships that confer all of the same rights and benefits to gay couples that straight couples enjoy.  This includes medical insurance, protection under FMLA, etc.  I will rejoice the day that all gay couples have these rights legally, free and clear, indisputably.