Big Victory In Mass.

[Queersetti]

From the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force hailed today's defeat of a proposed Massachusetts constitutional amendment seeking to ban same-sex marriage and create civil unions. The measure was defeated today by a vote of 157 to 39 by the state Legislature meeting in a joint constitutional convention, having passed the body in March, 2004 by a vote of 105-92. Had it passed today, it would have been on the statewide ballot in November, 2006

 

[kbate]

I was up there for the announcement (and a funeral) but it wasn't generally hailed as a giant victory (on the streets) as we still have gained nothing and are back to step one in trying to obtain equal rights. The fight rages on.

 

[revolution724]

I was up there for the announcement (and a funeral) but it wasn't generally hailed as a giant victory (on the streets) as we still have gained nothing and are back to step one in trying to obtain equal rights. The fight rages on.

Negative much, kbate? I think it's a huge victory (and a landslide vote, to boot). There may indeed be a long road ahead, but if you don't stop to celebrate when you win a round, then your fires don't get refueled for the next fight, and you burn out.

I'm a very proud Massachusetts resident right now, and I think the longer this goes on, the weaker the opposition grows.

Now, to find someone who wants to marry me...

 

[Jagged]

I have said this before and I will say it gain..........the government should get out of the marriage business. They should issue legal documentation...civil union or whatever you would like to call it. Not sure how you would decide what makes a marriage or union but you submitt your paper work to the clerk and they stamp it. Many think the only real marriage is what goes on in a church anyway so the governemt shouldn't pass judgement just give the benifits for those who have made a commitment to each other.

Frankly as conservative I think the government should always have less to do with daily life. If I live with a woman for a period of time and want her to be part of my life and share in all that I have I should not have to marry her....

This does not have to be a gay issue.....though I find it interesting that so few gays are in a committed long term relationship.

 

[DarkAurora]

This does not have to be a gay issue.....though I find it interesting that so few gays are in a committed long term relationship.

If that stereotype is true, then why has there been 6,000 same-sex marriages in the past year since it was legal in Massachusetts? Why was there 3,000 same-sex marriages in ONE WEEK in California during the short time when gay marriage was allowed? Not to mentions the thousands and thousands of same-sex marriages that have been held in Canada. Statistics prove stereotypes wrong!

 

[none2_none2]

This does not have to be a gay issue.....though I find it interesting that so few gays are in a committed long term relationship.

If that stereotype is true, then why has there been 6,000 same-sex marriages in the past year since it was legal in Massachusetts? Why was there 3,000 same-sex marriages in ONE WEEK in California during the short time when gay marriage was allowed? Not to mentions the thousands and thousands of same-sex marriages that have been held in Canada. Statistics prove stereotypes wrong!

I wouldn't completely dismiss what Jagged said, though "few" may seem a bit harsh. It does seem as though gay men constantly go in and out of relationships. I remember helping on a mailing list for the gay chorus I used to sing in. The guy who headed the office at the time constantly had to change names on the addresses from "John and Joe" at 101 Main to "Tom and Joe" at 101 Main. Most of the male couples I met over the years were more interested in three ways or getting something extra on the side than they were in each other. The exceptions were usually the couples that you seldom saw around in the gay community -- probably because so much of the gay male community is focused on the persuit of sex.

Regardless, the issue of gay marriage isn't a numbers game of how many want to get married, it's a matter of equal rights. If two unrelated adults of the opposite can get the legal benefits that come with marriage, then the same should apply to gays whether its only one gay couple that wants it or thousands.

 

[revolution724]

Do you think that that supposition about how few gay people are in long-term relationships holds true for women? What I know about it is anecdotal at best, but the stereotype at least is that women are very prone to forming long-term relationships, and indeed, are more likely to marry when given the option. Why should male-male relationships be considered the standard? Indeed, the case that started this ball rolling was over a lesbian couple's union.

 

[none2_none2]

Do you think that that supposition about how few gay people are in long-term relationships holds true for women? What I know about it is anecdotal at best, but the stereotype at least is that women are very prone to forming long-term relationships, and indeed, are more likely to marry when given the option. Why should male-male relationships be considered the standard? Indeed, the case that started this ball rolling was over a lesbian couple's union.

As far as my comments I made sure I used the term "gay male" instead of "gays" or "gay and lesbian" most of the time because I cannot comment about that part of the gay world that I have little experience with. The lesbians I know of run the gamut of single vs relationship bound. My friend down the street is a single lesbian. She is single because I think a lot of ladies she dates demand more time from her than she can give given her profession and numerous hobbies. She isn't single because she is constantly on the prowl. I know of another lesbian couple in town that have been together 20+ years. Some of the other single lesbians I know of are probably single because they are kind of shy. When I would attend church at MCC, it appeared for the most part the lesbians came in paired and sitting up front. The gay men were for the most part single and took up the back rows.

One thing I've heard of with lesbians that is foreign to me are a clique of women who used to be lovers. I have one ex that I call to ask him how things are going with him. For the most part an ex is an ex. I didn't observe it as much as I've heard lesbians talking about it.

All these things are just MY observations, and I just don't mention lesbians that often because I don't feel I can make any conclusions/generalizations on my limited experiences. As I was trying to say about "gay marriage", it isn't a numbers game, it's a matter of rights -- not special, but EQUAL rights.