Them fighting for the "right" to be equal seems like a moot point to me. Again, it's not something I agree with but you can't force people to accept you. It's just really a fact of life right now that gay people are not treated equally. No amount of force from the gay community is going to make that so though. In my opinion the best way for any group/minority what have you is to argue and fight as little as possible. In the end people are going to form their own opinions. Get the word out but do it politely. If someone wants to say gay people are going to hell nod and move on. SHOW people who disagree that your good people and no different from them. Battle head to head with them and the results are not going to be them considering you equal. They are just going to feel bullied and want to retaliate. <br /> <br /> Which is why I mentioned that there is obviously things you HAVE to fight for. Changing peoples opinions and MAKING them recognize something is not a fight worth having though. Peoples minds are going to change over time. It's a tragedy it really is but it's a long hall that gay people are in for despite wanting to be. <br /> <br /> Like you mentioned, haters are going to hate... it sucks... it's frustrating but it's the real world with all of it's good and bad. I think the least attention drawn to the gay community is good publicity. Let people see things in their own time and own way. Until then obviously you HAVE to fight for rights which is sad because you are right you should already have them. In that conquest though I would think it would be a priority to make as little waves with any other group as possible... for YOUR benefit.<br /> <br /> <br /> Again, I feel bad sharing my thoughts on this because it brings a lot of harsh truths to the surface but I can't stress enough that I am 100% behind you guys. You guys are out picketing ... so am I. Some kid at school gets bullied because he/she's gay I"M THERE. My father in law is gay, my friends are gay, random people that I meet are gay and to me they are exactly equal no worse no less. Although in general I love gay men because they are safe to go to bars with and I love lesbian chicks because they will get in the mud with me lol XD Kinda stereotyping there but that's what I've experienced. <br><br><br /> I mean I think about these issues all the time and if I could make the whole world see you guys from my eyes I would. <br><br><br /> <br /> Also I want to be clear that I agree with what all of you have posted. I think that you should have the same title, same rights, same everything... to me though the fact that what's going on is wrong has very little to do with anything. It's wrong but it can't really be changed. I feel as though if the gay community does prevail in getting the title marriage it's really not a battle won because instead of being considered equal instead of having people who were just angry with the idea of it but not putting to much thought into it you are going to have christian crazies who feel utter hate for you and want revenge for you taking something that they believe is theirs. It doesn't make me think that you are being equal it makes me think of a war where one side prevails by force. The other side isn't going to respect them for that battle won. <br><br><br /> <br /> Ultimately in the end of it all though I support the gay community. Whatever rights you guys are fighting for I'm behind you. If the community decides that it's a battle that they want and they don't want to compromise with different terminology... when voting time comes I've got your backs because it IS right that you have it. In my opinion though it just isn't the best way. There are more effective ways to achieve it.

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<i>"But I’m unsure about anyone else but I believe marriage is the goal of gays because it will symbolize they’re equal to everyone else. If they have to change the word that means they’re not totally accepted. They’re fighting for the word marriage and its benefits to try for their total equality in unionization between a couple and that homosexual is no different than heterosexual.<br /> <br /> The word marriage isn’t just a word to homosexuals. It’s the right they’ve been fighting for.</i>" <br /> <br /> I dont get the big deal about the word as long as everyone HAS the same rights in the end. I personally think changing the legal paper document would be a great way to shoot down all the religious people's argument.<br /> <br /> I mean i totally agree that marriage has been around LONG before Christianity came to be around 2000 years ago but that's the main argument. So if we call the government document one thing and leave the label to the church then something may come of it. and if you do your research there are many churches that will marry same sex couples w/ or w/o a license.

It isn't so much of a gay rights issue as it is a <b>human rights issue</b>. To deny homosexuals the right to marry is treating them lower then straights, lower then other human beings. This is terrible.

To Bridget&Josh<br /> <br /> I believe I understand your situation as you’re trying to find a middle ground that all gays and religious people could agree upon. <br /> <br /> But I’m unsure about anyone else but I believe marriage is the goal of gays because it will symbolize they’re equal to everyone else. If they have to change the word that means they’re not totally accepted. They’re fighting for the word marriage and its benefits to try for their total equality in unionization between a couple and that homosexual is no different than heterosexual. <br /> <br /> The word marriage isn’t just a word to homosexuals. It’s the right they’ve been fighting for. It’s the word of freedom to them. They will fight for ‘marriage’ not ‘civil unions’ until they received the same respect, rights, privileges, and spot in society as heterosexual couples. <br /> <br /> Either way, it comes down to that there is most likely going to be no middle-ground. <br /> <br /> If you vote for gay marriage, religious people will get upset. If you don’t vote for gay marriage, flamboyant homosexuals are going to be upset. Religious people are going to hate. Gays are going to hate. Gators gunna gait.<br /> <br /> Someone will get their toes stomped on, but you have to find what you believe is right.<br /> <br /> It all comes to perspective as: Marriage rights to a human being with another human being or respecting religions adoption of marriage?<br /> <br /> The denying of basic human rights is horrible over all. <br /> <br /> Bridget&Josh, I’m happy you try to see a middle ground but in my perspective a middle ground cannot be found. And that’s the reason why gays are fighting for equality, because a middle ground will be slanted to the position of anti-gay. <br /> <br /> It’s all or nothing to them. <br /> <br /> But that's just my opinion and how I feel about it.

I agree with that, but Bridgette, you are making it sound like only heterosexual Christians should be able to use the term "marriage" which I highly disagree with. I am not Christian and never will be, but I would like to be able to use the term marriage to describe the legal and spiritual relationship I hope to have with someone someday. Just because I am not Christian (and they may or may not be), and because they may also be a woman like me, does not mean that I should not be able to use the term marriage to describe it.

This ----> <br /> <br /> I think the legal piece of paper anyone (gay, straight, short, tall, bisexual, transgender, orange, green w/ pink pokkadots Leprechan, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Athiest, Agnostic, Wicca...etc etc) gets when they are legally married by the state should be a "Civil Union License" and leave the "marriage" part up to your religious leader<br /> <br />The above SO much. That would take care of a lot for a lot of people! <br><br> "oh you're gay, you're different and therefor you can't use this word" <br /> <br /> Like I mentioned I thought the terminology should apply to everyone. As for my religion I haven't told you what my religion is and I personally do not have any conflict at all with gay people using the term married. My opinion comes from the people who it does bother for that reason. I personally don't know what the "facts" are. I only know the issue as I have researched it spoke to people and came to understand it. My understanding is the term is from the bible therefore they have claimed the word. I am a peace all around kind of person. I will kindly respect other peoples views and opinions and not stomp on them unless there is a legitimate reason it needs to be done. The terminology is silly and not something worth arguing about for me. Therefore, my opinion is to not tick off the hardcore christians and gay people still get what they want and deserve. Yeah, fight for the rights, fight for the benefits, and fight to be recognized by everyone as together... why fight over the word? <br /> <br /> That is all assuming though that the government would allow the terminology to be changed. Which honestly is kind of a tall order because they will probably have new reasons why it can't be done because ultimately I do believe they are disallowing it just because.

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I think the legal piece of paper anyone (gay, straight, short, tall, bisexual, transgender, orange, green w/ pink pokkadots Leprechan, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Athiest, Agnostic, Wicca...etc etc) gets when they are legally married by the state should be a "Civil Union License" and leave the "marriage" part up to your religious leader

Bridgette&Josh, marriage was around before Christianity and exists in all religions and cultures. So saying it's a Christian thing and that we're "kind of intentionally stomping on a special tradition for christian people" is pretty factually inaccurate and it's kind of rude to claim that it's a special tradition for Christians only. Even if we call it gay "joined" we're still treating them like second class citizens - saying oh you're gay, you're different and therefor you can't use this word, it's for heterosexual Christians only. <br /> <br /> I respect your religion, but I find it hard to respect your belief that marriage should be exclusive to it, because that's just, for lack for a better word, selfish.

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I think Love is Love no matter what gender.<br /> Yes to gay support and same sex marrying.

Just saying, marriage was around long before Christianity was around.