I don't believe that a private company should be forced to allow benefits to anyone it doesn't want to. It doesn't seem right to me. THAT BEING SAID I believe that there needs to be a larger change to our insurance operations here in the states that would make this a non-issue. Inter-state competition between health care would change that. Also, inter-company competition with health care would change that too (Companies offering insurance plans from more than one provider). Both of these things will lead to lower rates, as well as a capitalist change leading to the company that provides the most benefits to the most amount of people for the least money wining the support of the majority.There are health insurance stuff (some company DO allow now but not majority) name changes (cost money for gay couple) I really need to find that list of stuff that many hetro couples enjoy automatically.
The main problem is why these people have to do the extra stuff while they are citizens of the U.S. They all pay the same taxes as everyone else. They follow the law like everyone else. Why do these people have to be treated differently just to get the same benefits from the government?
Also... just let you know, a same sex couple can't get SS check if the partner dies, it goes to the family and cannot be willed to non-family members. that might not be important to you, but it is important to some.
Completely false. All those documents can be CONTESTED by "real family." Not directly overridden. It's the same as a re-marriage, or one side of the family wanting one thing while the other side of the family wants another. It would have to be taken to court and decided there.FYI, totalfusionone, all those documents that you're pointing out can be overridden by "real family".
Short version: Changing names is free. Forcing other people to follow with your name change is not.The federal courts have overwhelmingly ruled that changing one's name at will, by common law, is clearly one's constitutional right. Nonetheless, one may still choose to have a court issued name change.
Usually a person can adopt any name desired for any reason. Most states allow one to legally change his name by usage with no paperwork, but a court order may be required for many institutions (such as banks or government institutions) to officially accept the change.[1] Although the States (except part of Louisiana) follow the common law there are differences in acceptable requirements; usually a court order is the most efficient way to change names (which would be applied for in a state court) (except at marriage, which has become a universally accepted reason for a name change). It is necessary to plead that the name change is not for a fraudulent or other illegal purpose (such as evading a lien or debt, or for defaming someone).
right but most states (at least for New York, California, Oregon, Florida and Illinois these are the one I can spoken for since I have family and friend didn't charge for a name change when married.)Short version: Changing names is free. Forcing other people to follow with your name change is not.The federal courts have overwhelmingly ruled that changing one's name at will, by common law, is clearly one's constitutional right. Nonetheless, one may still choose to have a court issued name change.
Usually a person can adopt any name desired for any reason. Most states allow one to legally change his name by usage with no paperwork, but a court order may be required for many institutions (such as banks or government institutions) to officially accept the change.[1] Although the States (except part of Louisiana) follow the common law there are differences in acceptable requirements; usually a court order is the most efficient way to change names (which would be applied for in a state court) (except at marriage, which has become a universally accepted reason for a name change). It is necessary to plead that the name change is not for a fraudulent or other illegal purpose (such as evading a lien or debt, or for defaming someone).
And I'm glad that in YOUR state there is no fee, but in most states there IS a fee. Whether that fee be rolled into marriage license, or what have you is a different matter. Futhermore if your issue is with STATE fees for name changes, that's a different matter than anything I ever started in on. I'm talking about FEDERAL recognition. I don't give a shit what little laws states have, I can move.
Did... you even read my first post? Wow. This is some forum here.anyways: it seems that you are against same sex marriage since you believe the system is already in place and why even change it. You have your belief and I have mine so I will leave it at that. I still believe the system is broken since it exclude a group of citizen due to sexual orientation. It like not long ago a system exclude people cause of the skin of their color. While the history differs (slavery and oppression and such) the basic goal remains the same, equal rights across the board. I do thank the past heroes who have fought hard to have equal rights since many other ethic background (like Chinese slavery to the west) benefit from these movements. I thank them cause if it wasn't for them, I would have been 2nd class citizen still.
Wow, I have to disagree with you SO HARD.Did... you even read my first post? Wow. This is some forum here.anyways: it seems that you are against same sex marriage since you believe the system is already in place and why even change it. You have your belief and I have mine so I will leave it at that. I still believe the system is broken since it exclude a group of citizen due to sexual orientation. It like not long ago a system exclude people cause of the skin of their color. While the history differs (slavery and oppression and such) the basic goal remains the same, equal rights across the board. I do thank the past heroes who have fought hard to have equal rights since many other ethic background (like Chinese slavery to the west) benefit from these movements. I thank them cause if it wasn't for them, I would have been 2nd class citizen still.
Yes, I'm against same sex marriage because I AM AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT ACKNOWLEDGING MARRIAGE AT ALL. This was my point in the beginning, it was my point in the middle, and goddamn it's still my point now. Marriage does not need to be recognized by the government. Everything is a civil union. The problem is gay rights groups don't really want that etc.. etc..
And why does this situation keep getting compared to the colour of someones skin? How is it in any way like racism? Racism is inherently about picking someone apart because of the way they look, not the way they act. Not the thoughts they have. The way they look. You're comparing it to a group of people that were treated horrifically over the period of two centuries. Do you understand that we haven't really been "Discriminated" against at all for our sexual orientation? That are complaints are so laughably inane compared to theirs? No, of course not. In my life I've seen very few people who have a sexual identity different to the norm and DON'T see themselves as some sort of martyr. Why is that?
ok. I have to answer this oneDid... you even read my first post? Wow. This is some forum here.anyways: it seems that you are against same sex marriage since you believe the system is already in place and why even change it. You have your belief and I have mine so I will leave it at that. I still believe the system is broken since it exclude a group of citizen due to sexual orientation. It like not long ago a system exclude people cause of the skin of their color. While the history differs (slavery and oppression and such) the basic goal remains the same, equal rights across the board. I do thank the past heroes who have fought hard to have equal rights since many other ethic background (like Chinese slavery to the west) benefit from these movements. I thank them cause if it wasn't for them, I would have been 2nd class citizen still.
Yes, I'm against same sex marriage because I AM AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT ACKNOWLEDGING MARRIAGE AT ALL. This was my point in the beginning, it was my point in the middle, and goddamn it's still my point now. Marriage does not need to be recognized by the government. Everything is a civil union. The problem is gay rights groups don't really want that etc.. etc..
And why does this situation keep getting compared to the colour of someones skin? How is it in any way like racism? Racism is inherently about picking someone apart because of the way they look, not the way they act. Not the thoughts they have. The way they look. You're comparing it to a group of people that were treated horrifically over the period of two centuries. Do you understand that we haven't really been "Discriminated" against at all for our sexual orientation? That are complaints are so laughably inane compared to theirs? No, of course not. In my life I've seen very few people who have a sexual identity different to the norm and DON'T see themselves as some sort of martyr. Why is that?
I never said there wasn't discrimination. What I did say is it's nothing like what people of other races have had to go through in the past. Twisting what I said into what you want to mean just weakens your own argument.Your notion that there is no descrimination against gays is even more laughable.
Saying "This will not change" makes no sense, and is a horrible argument. Aren't YOU trying to change it to allow gay marriage?While you are against the whole government recognize marriage thing (yes I did read it all) you still come off as against it (at least that is how I read it) but, alas, the government DOES recognize marriage and WILL NOT change it anytime soon why? cause U.S. of A is trying to promote family unit... why? cause the society wants to have more family units and less divorces and less single parents (which technically same thing but you get the idea) so they vote senators and representative to promote this. This will not change
Again, I never said that. I said it wasn't on par with the prejudice of the African Americans or Chinese Immigrants that it was compared to in this thread. Why is the only form of argument you have to misquote me?Maybe in your life, you don't see homosexual getting treated differently.
Kinda like the ones I see against republicans? Christians? "Cults?" Yeah, must be tough for the homosexual. Now try being a republican Christian bisexual. But you know what? It's just words. It's just all words written on a board. It's words being yelled. That's all it is.Heck, you have seen rallies like prop 8 and all the ads and all the stupid thing about how "the gays" will rule their lives.
..... I can't... Even begin to tell you... Ugh. Yes. You're right. If homosexuality was as "Prevalent" as it was back in the days of segregation, there probably would be. Of course we'd be having this argument over telegraph and waiting to go see the talkies down at the Theatre as well. What the heck is your point?Now of course segregation has been "abolish" at least government side for awhile. If such things wasn't in place before, I can assure you there will probably be separate bathroom for "the gays" now like there was back in the early days for "non-white" bathrooms.
NOTHING. IS PREVENTING. ANY SEXUALITY. AT ALL. You have NEVER been prevented as long as you have lived. That time was the time of our parents. You are NOT prevented by the federal government. You are NOT prevented by the state government. You know what? Tonight I can go to Legends here in NC and make out with a shit ton of guys. You know why? BECAUSE THERE IS NO PREJUDICE AT THE FEDERAL OR STATE LEVEL AGAINST ME BEING BISEXUAL. There is no law preventing it! The only thing, THE ONLY THING prevented is marriage.That is what I am getting at. Each fight open opportunity for a group of people that wasn't there before and prevent the stupid things that prevent them in the first place. This is why I personally references the past action of the heroes who fought equality.
Why... Should we be forced to have seats? The people who do the best work get promoted. Period. It's not economically feasible for a business owner to say "Hrm, that black guy is fucking smart and he'd make me bajillions. But I'll go with the white guy." As for Larry Craig? Dude had sex in the bathroom. Anonymous sex in the bathroom. Even my hardcore gayest friends went "ew." He got in trouble for breaking the law, not for being gay.Look at our government, look at your workplace. How many american base company/government seats are there for Latino? African Amercian? Asian? what about CEO? (that are not Asian starter company) not as many. I can almost assure you that any senator brave enough to be openly gay AND keep their position without being "force" to step down by their constituent. Heck, there was a whole debacle on Sen. Larry Craig on the bathroom incident and look how the people react to that.
So the majority of Americans decided what was best for America and you're pissed off and want your way even though that's not how the majority of Americans want to live? Okay.While there isn't an open "war" against homosexual NOW because of all the rights and protection (like hate crime) are in place to keep that in check, but I can assure you, the general population does not approve of homosexual. Look at the popular vote that killed the bill for same sex marriage (government eyes)
People who do the best work get promoted? Period? That I can't agree with. At all. Period. There's a lot of reasons that aren't logical that people get promoted over others. Friendship, related, bigotry, sexism, etc. To imply that the only thing that gets people promoted is their skill set is unrealistic.Why... Should we be forced to have seats? The people who do the best work get promoted. Period. It's not economically feasible for a business owner to say "Hrm, that black guy is fucking smart and he'd make me bajillions. But I'll go with the white guy." As for Larry Craig? Dude had sex in the bathroom. Anonymous sex in the bathroom. Even my hardcore gayest friends went "ew." He got in trouble for breaking the law, not for being gay.Look at our government, look at your workplace. How many american base company/government seats are there for Latino? African Amercian? Asian? what about CEO? (that are not Asian starter company) not as many. I can almost assure you that any senator brave enough to be openly gay AND keep their position without being "force" to step down by their constituent. Heck, there was a whole debacle on Sen. Larry Craig on the bathroom incident and look how the people react to that.
I am trying to keep myself out of this kind of threats because of the "Negativity" thread that Dave made sometime a go and the forum rules, but just for this I will make a exception.I never said there wasn't discrimination. What I did say is it's nothing like what people of other races have had to go through in the past. Twisting what I said into what you want to mean just weakens your own argument.
nitpick:and through history of mankind homophobia is a far more omnipresent problem, probably only sexism was more widespread.
I was actually counting on that, if two races don't like each other there is a possibility of just living apart and ignoring that the other exist, not the best option, but is a option. Homosexuals don't have that luck, obviously, and we have to live under the str8 people feet while artificial gestation is not invented. At the moment it does I am going to propose to nuke you guys from orbit and go live in Uranusnitpick:and through history of mankind homophobia is a far more omnipresent problem, probably only sexism was more widespread.
I'm actually pretty sure hate of other races is historically more prevalent, in one form or another. It's just that back then interaction between different races wasn't as common overall. .
"pretending" it is not the same thing as accepting.And there where plenty of times when homosexuality was accepted... the Victorians just pretended it wasn't when they started getting into archeology.
As a gay man, I agree. o//nitpick
Otherwise, yeah, people suck...
You misunderstood. He meant that they deliberately ignored evidence of tolerance for homosexuality in ancient civilisations. The Greeks went for anything that moved, for a start."pretending" it is not the same thing as accepting.And there where plenty of times when homosexuality was accepted... the Victorians just pretended it wasn't when they started getting into archeology.
You misunderstood. He meant that they deliberately ignored evidence of tolerance for homosexuality in ancient civilisations. The Greeks went for anything that moved, for a start.[/QUOTE]"pretending" it is not the same thing as accepting.And there where plenty of times when homosexuality was accepted... the Victorians just pretended it wasn't when they started getting into archeology.
exactly.When a couple who has been together for 20 years can't visit each other in the hospital when one of them is dying, something is wrong with the system.
Couple of gay friends of mine had this. When he died, his partner of 20+ years was cut out of a lot of the processes such as the hospital visitation, the estate reverted back to the parents and the widow was unable to make the funeral arrangements. Yes, most of this could have been taken care of had they done their wills correctly, but even if I die now without a will my wife gets everything and can make all of these decisions. My friend was unable to make none.
Something in that situation is fundamentally wrong. Yes, that's just one example and it's a personal one, but it is a telling one.
You misunderstood. He meant that they deliberately ignored evidence of tolerance for homosexuality in ancient civilisations. The Greeks went for anything that moved, for a start.[/quote]"pretending" it is not the same thing as accepting.And there where plenty of times when homosexuality was accepted... the Victorians just pretended it wasn't when they started getting into archeology.
Except that that's not how it worked, it just that the nation vs nation part tends to be more emphasised when they killed each other, which isn't necessarily untrue, but racial/genetic superiority was often used as an argument in plenty of conflicts.I was actually counting on that, if two races don't like each other there is a possibility of just living apart and ignoring that the other exist, not the best option, but is a option.
Yeah I guess that is just as bad as waking up to burning crosses on your lawn or being hung. I never thought of it that way.You are completely right that the homosexuals don't face the same discrimination that others races do, people that suffer from racism learn to fear another race, homosexuals don't, because they learn to fear they own family and friends, besides any curious strangers or whatever people is spreading homophobia at the time, and through history of mankind homophobia is a far more omnipresent problem, probably only sexism was more widespread.
edit:
Also, I would like to compare "fear being discrimination from other races" with "fear to cause my father to have a heart attack, destroy my family, being hated by my friends, be killed because for looking at a guy for too long or never being able to find love because I can't even start to search for it anyway" and as a bonus include "at the age of 13" to that.
No, I think the Don't Ask / Don't Tell policy was instituted for straight people.I know that policy is going to be look at.
I know that some (like totalfusion "might" point out, but he can correct me if I'm wrong which I don't mind) oh, the rules was to protect the gays.
Why? If there is no "discrimination" or "fear" or "hatred" in the masses, why have such a rule? There was a story not long ago posted on this forum (before you came) about how some closet homosexual military was being harassed, hazed, and pretty much made his life miserable while in the military. Yes, it could be isolated incident, but as others have pointed out, there is fear from their own family, church group, and even society on some level.
For the most part, you raise valid points. This however, was just plain stupid. If we were to take that stance on anything, or had taken it in the past, I can't even begin to imagine what a racist/biggotist place this would be.The problem is when you're somewhere like the army and you're going to have to be in very close quarters for a long period of time you can't really escape those feelings of not being comfortable. So, what do we do? Don't ask, don't tell or you're gone. These is because the mass majority is not comfortable with it and everything will work out more smoothly if we just saunter on by the issue.
And again, you are missing the point.Yeah I guess that is just as bad as waking up to burning crosses on your lawn or being hung. I never thought of it that way.You are completely right that the homosexuals don't face the same discrimination that others races do, people that suffer from racism learn to fear another race, homosexuals don't, because they learn to fear they own family and friends, besides any curious strangers or whatever people is spreading homophobia at the time, and through history of mankind homophobia is a far more omnipresent problem, probably only sexism was more widespread.
edit:
Also, I would like to compare \"fear being discrimination from other races\" with \"fear to cause my father to have a heart attack, destroy my family, being hated by my friends, be killed because for looking at a guy for too long or never being able to find love because I can't even start to search for it anyway\" and as a bonus include \"at the age of 13\" to that.
but Shego, that stuff don't happen in the U.S! :eyeroll:Or you know, being dragged around by your legs by a pick-up truck and beaten to death.
Seriously Fusion, you didn't go there.
Yea. I do agree with him on many points (glad we can have a civil discussion here) I personally never experience that kind of hatred toward me, but I did experience 2nd hand from my friends and well, I get really upset when you start messing with my friends.Fusionone does make some really good points, even though I may not agree with them. I also get what he's saying about racial hate vs sexual preference hate, I just don't think he really does understand the gravity of the latter to the extent of what it really is, not that there would be alot of way for him to, without experiencing it.
Everyday I am surprised with human inability to think "in another person shoes" (or whatever is the expression).Fusionone does make some really good points, even though I may not agree with them. I also get what he's saying about racial hate vs sexual preference hate, I just don't think he really does understand the gravity of the latter to the extent of what it really is, not that there would be alot of way for him to, without experiencing it.
Oh, are you talking about James Byrd? Who was drug under a truck by three white boys in 1998? The.. Black and straight man?Or you know, being dragged around by your legs by a pick-up truck and beaten to death.
Seriously Fusion, you didn't go there.
Want to give my ex boyfriends a call and ask them? You can ask them how we did at Gay Days in Orlando when I was growing up. Ask them the shit that got yelled at me when I started college and immediately joined straight gay alliance at 16. How many times I've been screamed at outside of Parliament House.I just don't think he really does understand the gravity of the latter to the extent of what it really is, not that there would be alot of way for him to, without experiencing it.
1.3m slaves died enroute to America. Approx. 2500 African American people were lynched between emancipation and today. The numbers for slaves beaten to death during the legalization of slavery don't exist.Racial Hate = Being hated.
Homophobia = Being hated and alone.
Higher numbers mean that there were actual crimes committed against African Americans. The reason this point was brought up was because someone 30 posts back was trying to say that racism and homophobia are basically the same, when they're not similar at all except being one group of people doens't like another.Higher Number equates what exactly? I guess Jews are the most hated of all races, of all time.
Again, not what happened. But if that's what you wish to add to this conversation, by all means.That's just it Espy, Fusion is trying to "one-up" the conversation, which really brings no relevance to the topic at hand.
But legally it's not the same. There are no Gay bathrooms. There are no Gay drinking fountains. Gay people don't sit at the back of the bus. In fact, there are very few limitations that homosexuals have when compared to the daily life of an African American citizen in the early 1900s. While I agree that we will someday look back on this as LIKE the Civil Rights movement the day to day affairs of a homosexual man or woman is nothing like the day to day affairs of an African American.I'm not trying to hitch a wagon to the train. I'm just saying, both groups were discriminated against legally in the same way. And I am hoping in the future, gay rights will be looked back on in the same way as civil rights. As in, seeing the people that fought and clawed against them as the horrible bigots they are.
A fucking men. This person knows what time it is.Try and see WHY they're against it; don't just label them all as intolerant bigots or stupid or what have you; that's no better than being a racist or a homophobe or a sexist. Practice what you preach, do unto others, etc.
I can see nothing even approaching a rational argument from the anti-gay marriage people. There is absolutely no reason on their side other than hatred, and devotion to their religion.*walks into room* Man, there's a lot of people nailed to crosses in here...
Anywho, I agree that too many people don't even try to see the other side's arguments or "walk a mile in their shoes," if you will. If we want to see doing so as a good trait (and I do), then the gay rights supporters (again, I am one myself) must look at the argument from the side that is against gay marriage. Try and see WHY they're against it; don't just label them all as intolerant bigots or stupid or what have you; that's no better than being a racist or a homophobe or a sexist. Practice what you preach, do unto others, etc.