Washington legalises same-sex marriage

[Crow]

Gregoire signs gay marriage into law

OLYMPIA — In a crowded reception room surrounded by applauding gay couples and lawmakers, and with media from around the country looking on, Gov. Chris Gregoire on Monday signed landmark legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington state.

The historic event brings Washington in line with six other states and the District of Columbia, which allow gays to marry.

With the signing, Washington also becomes the first state in the country to strike down state law that specifically limits marriage to one man and one woman.

Spectators began chanting "Thank you" as Gregoire entered the room.

"We are here today to make history in this great state," she said.

"This is a very proud moment ... It's a day that historians will mark as a milestone for equal rights in this state, a day when we did what was right ... just and fair. We did it together, Republicans and Democrats, gay and straight, young and old."

Article continued at http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...rriage14m.html

----------------------------

I'd like to get a pulse on what you all think of the subject. Should same-sex marriage be legal? I've laid out three options (Yes, No, and I don't know).

The poll will be kept private (your user name will not be displayed in the results)

[Premium Parrots]

I will be witholding my vote as apparently I'm too old to understand this same sex marriage thing. Good luck to Chad and Nash tho


does this mean you need a license to be gay?


not that theres anything wrong with that

[AtreyuKun]

Excellent. In 30 years, this won't be an issue. We'll look back and wonder what the hell was wrong with us. Of course, I do that now.

[desirexe]

Only way this could have been better is if this happened on Valentine's Day...or was never an issue to begin with...

[Roo]

Proud to be a Washingtonian today. And every day for that matter

[GoVegan]

I am embarrassed to live in a state that is still on the fence about gay marriage. Hopefully proposition 8 will die soon and we can go back to worrying about real issues. I am not sure why anyone would even be concerned about it.

[precious007]

I wonder how many gay people sneak peak on this forum

here's my point of view

nothing wrong with being gay - they're not like they're mad or something - it's a choice

but when it comes to raising a child by two men it quite weird and I'm pretty sure the psychological effect on the child is not good.

[Mayhart]

The more gays the better imo! ..

.. Less competition!

[muddyfunkstar]

nothing wrong with being gay - they're not like they're mad or something - it's a choice

It's not a choice. No-one chooses their sexuality. You are what you are.

[AtreyuKun]

they're not like they're mad or something - it's a choice

No. It is not. A gay person has no more chosen that, than a straight person chooses to be straight.

[truthwolf1]

I cannot wait til this passe's in my state so we can move on to polygamy. Then maybe I can find a second wife that enjoys a clean house.

[AtreyuKun]

Why do so many people think that the recognition of the love of 2 consenting adults is some kid of gateway drug that will open floodgates to polygamy and bestiality, or grown men marrying 7 year old boys? Words fail me.

[truthwolf1]

Why do so many people think that the recognition of the love of 2 consenting adults is some kid of gateway drug that will open floodgates to polygamy and bestiality, or grown men marrying 7 year old boys? Words fail me.

What is wrong with Polygamy between consenting adults? or is that just weird and unnatural?

[Premium Parrots]

What is wrong with Polygamy between consenting adults? or is that just weird and unnatural?

touche'

[sgreger1]

I wonder how many gay people sneak peak on this forum

here's my point of view

nothing wrong with being gay - they're not like they're mad or something - it's a choice

but when it comes to raising a child by two men it quite weird and I'm pretty sure the psychological effect on the child is not good.

1) As far as science can tell, being gay is not a choice. On the other hand, there doesn't seem to be any genetic markers for it, and it seems to not be hereditary. The leading theory is that it has to do with the amount of some chemical the child gets while in the uteris, mixed with environmental factors. In either case, at no point do gay people grow up and choose to be gay. Few people would choose a sexuality which will get them looked down on by society, banned from working certain jobs, get picked on in the locker room, barred from donating blood, or even killed if you are in the wrong state.


2) As far as raising a child, studies indicate that there is no difference between a hetero or a gay couple raising children. Gay couples as fit to adopt as heterosexuals: study

On a personal level my gut tells me that a kid raised by two men or two women would turn out all ****ed up and have all kinds of identity issues etc, but apparently my feelings in this regards are baseless and have no basis in reality. While it may seem like the kids would suffer, it appears that there is no evidence that that is the case. And as being gay is not a choice, you also don't need to worry about their kids "becoming" gay, which is an argument i've heard a lot of.

And really, gays can only adopt, they can't even have their own kids. So what is worse, being in a foster home living the hard nock life, or having a loving family take care of you, even if it is two boys or two girls? They still have to meet the same requirements as straight people, i.e. be financially stable, not have any criminal records, being competent adults etc. Considering how many hundreds of thousands of children are waiting to be adopted, I think that allowing a gay family to raise them would be the better than having no family.