I really don't get it, Why do gays feel the need to marry? A mom and a dad get married to have children and children need A mother and a father to teach them love and communication between a man and a woman. This teaches them love and respect between a man and a woman. In my eyes this gives a child a well rounded respect and love for both sexes. No offence to anyone but I am glad that was my family, I love my mom and my dad. I am not trying to asume that a gay couple couldn't be loving parents but how does it teach a unalateral respect for both sexes?

Well, first the need to marry is about loving one another and comittment. But equally as importantly it is about being able to be there for the person you love. For example, even finding out what is going on for your loved one who is in the hospital is impossible if you are not a direct relative, much less making decisions for them when they are not able to do so. Then there is joint tax returns, wills which are often not honored by courts if the life partner is of the same sex. And yes.. Divorces are bound to occur, but nobody is protected under marital laws. For example, I own my home... I tell my partner who contributed equally for 20 years to take a hike... I don't compensate her... As the laws have been, she just has to bite it and move along, as she is not awarded the same protections married couples are.

As far as getting married for the sole purpose of having children, as you stated; If this premise is true, should you not void all marriages whereas one or the other cannot have children? We both know that is not realistic because getting married is not just about having children.

Hm, I had a mom and a dad. Drug addicts and alcoholics both of them. There is absolutely no guarantee that a mom and a dad are better parents than two moms or two dads. We even went to church twice a week and had a bible study meeting at our home. My dad would get high and my mom would pop a few valiums then off we'd go!

I'm glad to hear that you got lucky but do you know for a fact that you would have had a bad experience if you had had two moms or two dads? No, you don't and neither does anyone else. Each individual makes a personal effort to make better choices to be better people.

(Apologies in advance in my comments offend anyone... ...assurances that is not my intent, but hey, it happens!)

hmmm... Then this is a bit about language and perception, isn't it? For example I would not use the word "sole" as in having children is the sole purpose of marriage. But in my perception of marriage its a primary reason. My issue may only be in the language of things; I do not see M-F marriage as the same as same-sex marriage. Clearly, in my view, they are different. I guess I see it the pro-gay marriage proponents not wanting an equal right but rather a special right because they are gay. Now, don't get all on me about being predudice! I assure you that is not my intent! In fact, I say 'have at it' to be afforded those things (rights) that are necessary; insurance, taxes, guardianship rights, and the like. There is no need to see people suffer needlessly. I'm all for ALL Americans having base needs met. So, simply because I don't agree with same-sex marriage doesn't mean at all that I am anti-gay! Am I homophobic? yeah probably! So what! I am also a patriotic American where I believe all people's human rights need to be defended. Heck, I have gay friends! They are pretty cool people!

I'll admit I do fear classifying groups of people, (see Nazi Germany) as it can so easily lead down an ill--fated path. But all I'm saying is in my view, clearly, (and I can't imagine how even the "daft-est" person on earth can miss the obvious physical differences! ) there is enough of a difference to warrant calling it something other than marriage. If you call it "marriage" the guess what! I feel you are starting infringe on my rights!

Is there a solution? yeah. I'm just not sure where that line is yet, but its there! While there will always be detractors, I feel there's a compromise to be had if we sum up the courage as Americans to get there one day.

I very much disagree you, and this is coming from a straight woman. Men and women do not get married to have kids.. this isn't the 1800's. Men and women - just like a man and a man or a woman and a woman - get married because they love and respect each other, and want to spend the rest of their lives together.

I think straight couples take for granted everything that comes with being legally married .. example if a straight married woman's husband is dying and in the hospital she can legally make decisions regarding his medical care, over say his mother or father.. a gay couple has no legal right to do so or even hear about their significant others medical condition.. How would you feel? theres a whole list .. i could go on for days!

Personally I was raised in a single family home with just a mom for 14 years and i have unilateral respect for both sexes without being raised in a "mother/father/2.5 children-prefect household" .. and there are people who are raised with both a mother and a father and do not have respect for both sexes (ex. abusive home situations) Parenting is what teaches unilateral respect for both sexes not growing up with both a mommy and a daddy.. what children learn from having 2 parents (gay straight or otherwise) in a home is how to love and respect your significant other.

But in regards to your comments "papajon_s1" I'm pretty sure the majority of serious gay people do not want "special" rights .. and if you think they want special rights have you ever turned around to think what the heck makes straight couples entitled to the "special" rights of being able to marry?!?! We're in America people .. where the constitution clearly states that there is "supposidly" a separation between church and state .. marraige defined as a union between a man and a woman is a church affair .. marriage when you go down to the court house and pay for a license and get married in front of a judge is a state affiar, changing the whole definition of marriage.. I'm pretty sure gay people are not going to their local catholic church and asking to be married.