gay marriage recognized in DC, legalized in Vermont

[LegalSmash]

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE:

Vermont's vote marked the first time a legislature enacted it into law. Last week, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that marriage couldn't be restricted to unions of a man and a woman, following the lead of Connecticut and Massachusetts, both of which approved it as a result of high court decisions.

California briefly allowed gay marriage last year, but a voter initiative in November repealed it.

CIVIL UNIONS:

In New Hampshire and New Jersey, same-sex couples can enter into civil unions that entail the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, but gay-rights activists in those states are pushing for full-fledged marriage rights. New Hampshire's House passed a marriage bill in March, which now awaits a Senate vote. In New Jersey, Gov. Jon Corzine has pledged to sign a gay marriage bill that has been introduced in its legislature.

DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS:

California, Oregon, Washington and the District of Columbia have domestic-partnership laws that extend many of the benefits of marriage to same-sex couples.

CONSTITUTIONAL BANS:

Voters in 29 states have approved state constitutional amendments that ban gay marriage: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin.

Hawaii voters approved a constitutional amendment empowering the Legislature to outlaw same-sex marriage; lawmakers did so in 1998.

FEDERAL RECOGNITION:

Under the federal Defense of Marriage Act, the U.S. government does not recognize same-sex unions, even those that are legal marriages in Massachusetts, Connecticut and several foreign countries.

OUT-OF-STATE RECOGNITION:

New York recognizes same-sex marriages performed elsewhere but hasn't allowed them in the state. The Senate majority leader, a gay marriage supporter, says he doesn't have the votes to pass it in his chamber.

The District of Columbia Council on Tuesday voted to recognize gay marriages performed in other states.

[PotshotPolka]

In all seriousness, coming from a family that actively condemns gays I cannot find a legitimate reason beyond personal beliefs to prevent these people from being able to marry. In all honesty I think this does supercede state rights even though I don't believe there is any Federal jurisdiction in this. Input?

[trakaill]

I still think its a disgrace to all the people that live their life's for God and his glory...
This is what this nation was founded on and should be respected, Im not a practicing christian myself but it is the religion I was brought up with..
I have nothing against gays I just dont think they should be "married", call it what ever the fuck you want but it should not be marriage..my 2 cents

[Italian Jew]

I still think its a disgrace to all the people that live their life's for God and his glory...
This is what this nation was founded on and should be respected, Im not a practicing christian myself but it is the religion I was brought up with..
I have nothing against gays I just dont think they should be "married", call it what ever the fuck you want but it should not be marriage..my 2 cents

I can see the very fabric of society tearing apart at the notion of using the word "marriage"...

So are those who live in "God's glory" that support gay marriage wrong, or is it still a disgrace to them?

I thought this country was founded on freedom and liberty, not somebody's opinion on whether or not two dudes should elope (or just founding a country to get +Rep from God). Weird, I must have slept through all my government and history classes...

How about they call it Super-marriage? Or maybe something else, something more technical, because even though they could live a very religious life, the other people's opinion on the religion are more important than theirs.

[trakaill]

I can see the very fabric of society tearing apart at the notion of using the word "marriage"...

So are those who live in "God's glory" that support gay marriage wrong, or is it still a disgrace to them?

I thought this country was founded on freedom and liberty, not somebody's opinion on whether or not two dudes should elope (or just founding a country to get +Rep from God). Weird, I must have slept through all my government and history classes...

How about they call it Super-marriage? Or maybe something else, something more technical, because even though they could live a very religious life, the other people's opinion on the religion are more important than theirs.

And thats why my opinion prolly wont matter in this subject and I was just sharing it with everyone else..
I never said anything about society falling apart..

[Italian Jew]

And thats why my opinion prolly wont matter in this subject and I was just sharing it with everyone else..
I never said anything about society falling apart..

Not at you in particular; the crazy evangelicals who, instead of actually following their religion, create their own interpretation of it so they can belittle/harass/assault others around them in the name of God. They do it to feel good about hating someone.

[LegalSmash]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...032500029.html

apparently marriage is for straight white people.

[Lux]

In all seriousness, coming from a family that actively condemns gays I cannot find a legitimate reason beyond personal beliefs to prevent these people from being able to marry. In all honesty I think this does supercede state rights even though I don't believe there is any Federal jurisdiction in this. Input?

Exactly.

Why should gay people have to do what certain religious people want? Its their choice to be religious but they shouldn't force their thoughts on anyone.

[Desum]

It's about respecting the people who've been practicing marriage as a highly respected ceremony for over a thousand years.. I mean, i believe gays should have the same rights.. But damn just call it something else. That way you get the same rights and the Christians aren't offended by breaking their respected ceremony.

[PotshotPolka]

It's about respecting the people who've been practicing marriage as a highly respected ceremony for over a thousand years.. I mean, i believe gays should have the same rights.. But damn just call it something else. That way you get the same rights and the Christians aren't offended by breaking their respected ceremony.

"marriage" is practiced by all world religions I believe.