[Beat]

I read that Canada had it's first gay marriage yesterday. Way to go Canucks! We (The Netherlands) were the first to allow gay marriages, recently Belgium followed and now Canada :thumb:

Any thoughts Hipbasers?

[jen]

I really have no problem with it, why should I?? Everyone has a right to be happy. As far as I know, it is religious fanatics that are against gays and same sex marriages. BAH...it is nobody's business. I say, Good for the Netherlands and for Canada for being liberal. It pisses me off that the US is a free country yet same sex marriages are forbidden in most places. Why? Who is it hurting??? I don't know anyone that is gay but I still feel very passionate about their rights. :thumb:
-Jen

[Kim]

All we need is love.. and I don't care whether that love is between a guy and a girl, two guys or two girls....
Marriage is a way of expressing to the whole world how you feel about a specific person.. why should gay people be excluded from doing that? :?

I have gay people in my circle of friends and if they want to get married, great!! Looking forward to the after-party already

[CanuckCourage]

Pretty much agree with everything said here . It's funny when I hear conversations on the radio or T.V. about homosexuality being a lifestyle choice . Lifestyle choice ? Being an athlete , going to college , living in the suburbs , partying every weekend is a lifestyle choice . If homosexuality is a lifestyle , then so is heterosexuality . You don't hear any stigmas attached to the heterosexual lifestyle . When does it become a lifestyle choice ? Obviously a person is attracted to either a male or female or possibly both . I think hormones play more of a role than anything . I've never known an openly gay male , i'm sure i've talked to many over time but the possible rejection and persecution would keep many from coming out . As for girls ,i've known a half dozen who wer'e gay . One a co-worker who felt it necesarry to explain to me that if she had the choice she'd never be gay and never wish it upon anybody . She told me how negatively a good part of her family reacted when she came out , some never talking to her again . Sad that a good person can be degraded by ridiculous stereotypes and prejudices . There's no shortage of ignorance in the world. I guess that can be said for any visible minority , anything that bucks the trend . Anyways , yeah gay marriages are the right thing and a step towards lessening the undeserved persecution . (Oops ,bit of a rant there)

[jen]

Canuck, well said!!! :thumb:

[CanuckCourage]

Thanks Jen

[Kim]

I agree, well said. You sure do have a way with words.. :wink:

[CanuckCourage]

You're too kind . :oops:

[Beat]

Well spoken Canuck, Jen and Kim. Glad to read what everybody thinks. Just about what I expected :thumb:

[dannya2]

i am all for people doing whatever they want as long as it doesnt hurt others.

[Kim]

What the hell?!? 7%

I wonder who voted for this one cratch:

I know the poll is anonymous but I'd like to know why this person feels that way. Not too convince them otherwise, everybody has a right to their own opinion but it would be interesting nevertheless..

So if this person feels like stepping forward....please do..

[Kim]

am all for people doing whatever they want as long as it doesnt hurt others.

I assume you're referring to physical pain there.
Aspiring not to hurt others emotionally is great but not always possible. I imagine that coming out in an environment, of which you're aware that it has strong views against homo-sexuality, can cause a great deal of pain amongst people living in that same environment (friends, family, community). However not coming out can result in a great deal of pain for yourself.

Making that final decision, knowing the risk you're taking, must be heart-breaking.



(In the meantime, over 2000 gay couples have been married in Holland :thumb: )

[CanuckCourage]

I agree Kim , a catch 22 . You've got to figure homophobia will decrease over time with acceptance of gay marriages. How many years have gay marriages been allowed in The Netherlands ? Do you know if there has been a drop in homosexual hate crimes over that time , or even an increase ?

[Beat]

Gay marriages are allowed since april 1st 2001 Canuck. Not that long. I don't know if and how it affected hate crimes.

[CanuckCourage]

Being so new I imagine there's no difference at all .