Originally Posted By plpeters70 <<You tell me what's more important.>> Why can't they do both? Does the Vermont congress really just work on one thing at a time? Were they really holding up legislation to "get people back on their feet" so they could pass this? I highly doubt it - but it sure makes a nice sound bite for the governor.
Originally Posted By markymouse "Making sure someone can feed their family and keep a roof over their heads or allowing same sex marriages? You tell me what's more important." When will people get it that gay marriage isn't "just" an equality issue. It is a bread and butter issue. For the couple in which the working partner can't provide medical benefits to her partner or her partner's child. For the couples who have all the financial burdens of a family without any of the support from the tax system. For the soldier who isn't given the family housing supplement because her partner and their kids don't count. For the minister who has to choose between his job and his partner because his denomination has nothing against gays but demands celibacy outside of marriage of their clergy, even clergy who want to but can't get married. For thousands of gay and lesbian families gay marriage IS about being able to feed their family and keep a roof over their heads.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>When will people get it that gay marriage isn't "just" an equality issue. It is a bread and butter issue. For the couple in which the working partner can't provide medical benefits to her partner or her partner's child.<<< I don't think that is a gay marriage issue. Just about anyone that has medical insurance available now, has the option of "partners" coverage. <<<For the couples who have all the financial burdens of a family without any of the support from the tax system.>>> I find it hard to believe that there are not literally hundreds of tax supported options that could be used. >>>For the soldier who isn't given the family housing supplement because her partner and their kids don't count.<<< You don't really think that these changes are going to effect the military right away do you? They are not governed my local legislation. >>>For the minister who has to choose between his job and his partner because his denomination has nothing against gays but demands celibacy outside of marriage of their clergy, even clergy who want to but can't get married.<<< Separation of church and state will pretty much stifle any change in that area. And rightfully so! As many see this as a moral issue. The churches cannot alter their stand without fundamental changes in moral beliefs. Within a religious structure one always has a choice. They can alter their affiliation to something that closer fits their own beliefs. No one should expect it to be the other way around. If that particular group is strongly in favor of celibacy, the chances are pretty good that they will be opposed to gay marriage as well, once it becomes an option. >>>For thousands of gay and lesbian families gay marriage IS about being able to feed their family and keep a roof over their heads.<<< In some instances this may be true, but it is a stretch to think that economic considerations is what the gay marriage thing is all about. It is about the right to live the lifestyle that one wants (that pesky old, pursuit of happiness thing). I don't think that economic considerations or one's ability to support themselves even registers on the meter in this matter.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Think again. I live this. A lot of straight people take these things for granted and would be pretty shocked if they found themselves without them at a critical moment. The "gay marriage thing" certainly isn't "all about" economic considerations, but that doesn't mean they aren't real. #22 was a fine post.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Worthy of note...I was watching the local news this morning and they were interviewing a gay couple that just last month went the civil union route. Guess what? One was complaining about how they now had to get deal with the added expense of the now "legal" same sex marriage situation. Welcome to the world of Opposite sex marriage.
