This past week, Q-line asked: “Should gay couples be afforded the right to marry? Why or why not?”
Here are your responses: ■ “As long as gays remain monogamous and stay out of HIV-infested, homosexual bathhouses, I see nothing morally wrong with gays marrying. It certainly will not affect the heterosexual community.” ■ “When it comes to a deep committed relationship, what is the difference between homosexuals and heterosexuals who want to formalize their relationship? Gay and lesbian couples should be permitted by law to marry and solidify their relationships.” ■ “I have no problem with gay marriages. I think they should have been able to marry thousands of years ago. There is no reason why two people who are in love should not be able to marry. Love is love. It makes no difference whether they are male or female.” ■ “My answer is ‘no.’ Gay couples should not be able to marry. ■ “Marriage from Adam and Eve on down is the union of one man and one woman. The denigration of the true meaning of marriage is just another nail in the coffin of morality, the breakdown of society which is happening all around us. There will come a day of reckoning.” ■ “Gays should be permitted to marry. Gays are made by God. They are wonderful people, and they should be permitted the same rights of the rest of us.” ■ “A lot of things in life are a zero sum gain. The gain of one group is another group’s loss. When it comes to gay marriage, I can think of nothing that will be lost by heterosexuals if gays are allowed to marry. For heterosexuals, mating and reproduction with the opposite sex is a primal drive. The only logical explanation to the resistance to gay marriage is bigotry. Of course they should be allowed to marry.” ■ “I am so glad you asked this question. I am a heterosexual — all the way — all my life. I am also a Christian. I feel that if there is a meaningful commitment between two people — any two people — they should be afforded the same rights of everybody else, regardless of their sexual orientation. I have friends, even relatives, who yell and scream about God not wanting this and judgment day and so on. I am always left wondering, ‘Do they actually read the Bible?’ God didn’t write it, first of all. Second, it has been my understanding that Christ was a man of understanding, love and compassion so deep he was willing to die to be true to it. Using his name to disguise discrimination is sacrilege and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised that these very same people ‘preaching’against gay marriage get a big slap in the face come this ‘judgment day.’ ■ “Homosexuals should have the right to do their own little perverted thing behind closed doors, but when they get married it would force the public, companies and taxpayers to pay for their homosexual needs. That is wrong.” ■ “I feel that any couple — gay or straight — if they are in love, should have the right to marry. As long as they aren’t hurting anybody. The government can find a way to profit on that I’m sure. I do agree they should be able to marry.” ■ “Two consenting adults should be allowed to do whatever they want to do.
Why should the president be able to stop them? Who has the right to play God and tell these people they cant do what they want? The government has no business in the personal lives of their taxpayers.” ■ “Who are any of we to question whether people should be allowed to marry? We are all children of God. He made each and every one of us. I don’t agree with homosexuality. Actually, I think it’s a little repulsive, truthfully. However, we all must make choices in this life. Perhaps we will pay for these choices after our demise, perhaps not. Still, even though I don’t agree with the practice, I feel they must be afforded the rights of all under God.” ■ “I believe that gays should certainly be allowed to legalize their loving relationships, just like heterosexuals. They should be allowed to reap any benefits within our country, tax breaks and so forth. They are citizens. Those who would deny these unions are dragging out the same old, tired, stale bigoted slogans the religious right used to use to oppose interracial marriage. Just substitute the word ‘interracial’ with ‘gay’ and it’s the same old thing. I don’t know what they’re afraid of, but a loving relationship is a loving relationship.” ■ “The debate over gay marriage sends a clear message that our sick society is getting sicker. Can anyone imagine a gay couple living in the White House representing our country? It would be as ludicrous and degrading as the recent spectacle of American men rushing to San Francisco to try and sanctify sodomy by marrying each other. I am also very concerned about the children being raised by gay couples. They are being given such a rough start in life. Having to explain to their friends that they are being raised by two mommies or two daddies has to be psychologically damaging. These are the victims of the new homosexual lifestyle. A marriage license, legal or not, is not going to change this disastrous situation.” ■ “Marriage is a recognized institution in our society that provides economic and social benefits to those so committed. No group should be excluded because they don’t adhere to certain religious tenets. People have the right to marry the partners they wish. Banning gay marriage is a serious human rights violation, with liberty and justice for all. Incidentally, I am straight.” ■ “Let the gay people marry. They can have the positive and negative ramifications that marriage presents. Marriage is a costly proposition, and they should be given the same opportunity everyone else has.” ■ “I don’t understand what the big deal is. How does this affect my life? If gays get married and get the homeless people off my block and fund our schools, that would make me happy.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 27, 2004. Read the original PDF.