So merou, am I right that your only problem is semantic? That is, they can have access to all the same legal rights, except for their right to call their union a marriage?

Who owns the term marriage? If two people call their union a marriage, then that is what it is. That's how the English language works. No one is going to get confused by the terminology and think they are straight. What do you expect them to tell their mates? Guess what, we are getting civilly unioned?

Quote:


I doubt "Mod" will agree and that was my point.  So I reiterate.

Homosexuals (male and female) can do what they want in their own bedrooms, so long as they don't frighten the horses, but they can NOT begat offsping OR get Govenment assistance to "adopt" any more than regular couples can.

In fact, I believe that if you cannot "conceive" that is your LOT. Focus on something else and you may get lucky.  Some couples breed like rabbits others spend a lifetime of trying and never make it.  Luck of the Draw.

As far as "marriage" goes .....  not necessary as most of the population has determined. So long as your "partner" (hate the term) gets a share after a split up of funds or death.  Who cares?


Should you be one of those who is religious ....... that means you read the bible and know that you won't get into heaven if you are a homosexual anyway.  No Goverment legislation will change that.  

freediver wrote on May 11^th, 2008 at 10:16pm:


You are pushing it, mate!

Why is it that you are so interested in what homosexuals do in their bedroom?  Surely nobody gives stuff. Unless you are "gay"?

Two men can't have sex and  produce a child ... nor can two females.

The term "partner" is PC and should be outlawed.  IF you are married you have a husband or a wife. Your children are "legal" according to the Bible.  IF you are living as a couple but not married, you are De Facto, but you have the same legal "cover" as a married couple after a certain period (2 years?) but the children of that "partnership" are effectively illegitimate.

I think that homosexual couples would be glad to be able to have the same "cover" as the De Facto couples. Same sex couples do not have a choice to marry or have children.  It will never happen. They should be glad that they are "accepted" in society the same as De Facto couples have been, and shut up and stop pushing the point.

Like I said, I care less what they do in their bedroom.  Please stop calling them Gays or Lesbians. They are Homosexuals. They made their choice.  They can't expect to be treated as a minority group, any more than a left hander Irish red head can to get special Government treatment.

IF you are married you have a husband or a wife. Your children are "legal" according to the Bible.

No-one is suggesting that gay people have a marriage that is legal according to the bible. This is about legislation, not religious doctrine.

but the children of that "partnership" are effectively illegitimate.

By what law?

I think that homosexual couples would be glad to be able to have the same "cover" as the De Facto couples.

A defacto relationship is by definition one lacking in an actual legal agreement. Are you suggesting that gay people should be denied the right to choose when they enter into a legal marriage?

Same sex couples do not have a choice to marry or have children.

But they do have that choice, as far as children are concerned. Furthermore the fact that they cannot choose to get married is not a logical argument for denying them that right.

It will never happen.

It is inevitable.

They should be glad that they are "accepted" in society the same as De Facto couples have been, and shut up and stop pushing the point.

Just like the blacks should have been happy when they were freed from slavery and not bothered us with equal rights?

Please stop calling them Gays or Lesbians. They are Homosexuals.

Why? Does it bother you? Lesbian and homosexual do not have the same meaning.

It has absolutely nothing to do with the English Language.  It has a LOT to do with Christianity.

Plenty of other religions have marriage. Are you saying that Jews, or athiests, or Hindus aren't really married? Christianity does not 'own' the term.

Where in the entire World can homosexuals get married?  Name one country. Go on!

Actually, there are a few. I think Spain is one.

PS  I am not a Christian, I'm an Agnostic, so I do not believe in what the Bible says but it is "written"and to change it would take more than a Rudd Referendum on that matter.

Why do people keep thinking this has something to do with the Bible?

mantra wrote on May 12^th, 2008 at 11:48am:


But it's still about qualification though.  For example I don't qualify to park in a handicapped parking space, I don't qualify to join a Fernwood gym, I don't qualify to bounce around on a Jumping Castle and I don't qualify to have artificial insemination.

If membership of the Fernwood gym requires one to be female and parking in a handicapped space requires one to be handicapped then why can't marriage require the two to be one of each gender?

Or should we allow everyone to join Fernwood gyms, park in handicapped spaces or marry their mothers if they want?

Vive la difference - let's celebrate it, not complain about how tough it is to be gay because you can't get married.

freediver wrote on May 12^th, 2008 at 12:27pm:


Being handicapped is a private club?

Being a kid is a private club?

Why do they discriminate about jumping castles and parking spaces?

But tell me this how is marriage between some two men or some two women discriminatory?  Who may do it now?

freediver wrote on May 12^th, 2008 at 2:37pm:


First let's make it clear that marriage is not discriminatory.  This appears to be an error you are willing to propagate.  Any man may marry any woman (given the conditions are met - legal age, not related etc).  So no discrimination exists at all.

The issue you are attempting to understand is one of law, not discrimination.  At present the state of marriage is legal only between a man and a woman.

So before you can engage in any discussion about this subject it is important to understand where you are beginning - at the moment you are completely lost.

freediver wrote on May 12^th, 2008 at 3:41pm:


Well you aren't aware of it.  You think the Marriage Act discriminates and it doesn't.