I am a homosexual, but I do not take part in such events as gay pride parades. I find them offensive and not a representation of myself. I am a fairly conservative man who has been partnered for 14 years. We have raised two daughters successfully and we taught them to be respectful as well as to seek their own way in life for how they want to believe. I do not seek to apologize for the behaviors of others. I do agree with Amanda, that this seems more of a personal issue for you than a religious bias.

Can you clearly state and provide documentation or a link to what rights a homosexual couple has that a heterosexual couple does not also have? I am interested to see this.

One thing I would like to point out..I really appreciate the manner in which you have approached this subject. It is sensitive to many, but I love talking about it with those that can keep their heads together and not be nasty about it. You have done a fine job. I do disagree with much, but am happy to explain why. Thank you

Don’t get me wrong. I do believe there are faith based arguments to be had with regard to homosexuality, but as far as gay rights being provided or not provided as a law of the land…well that is clearly a seperation of church and state issue and should not be determined based on opinion or the specific faith of any religious group who takes offense. We are talking about law of man, not law of God. They should always be seperate. However, it seems more and more these days that the religious groups power has brought more corruption to our government than has any social group ever. That is a fact!

Read Deuteronomy Chapter 22 where it speaks of men being allowed to stone their wives if they cannot be proven to be virgins when he takes her hand in marriage. Is this right? I cannot imagine there is not at least one person in your own life that you love who has not yet married and is not a virgin. Would you insist that she be stoned? I’m pretty sure you would not.

I believe that all people are created equal and deserve the same protections under the law of this land(which has been made by man-not God). You should consider that if two men or two women choose to spend their lives together emotionally, physically, and financially that they should not have to be worried about a blood relative stepping in on one of their death beds and taking everything they have acquired together, or legally being able to prevent them from seeing one another on their death bed. How would you like it if someone you love has spent their entire life with you and something happens they become ill, the family steps in and does not allow you to see him/her, everything you have acquired together goes to the family, and to top it all off you cannot even go to the funeral?

As a gay man, I do not want the churches to change their doctrine. That is despicable in my opinion for the government to be allowed to govern or insist on such a change. At the same time, I do expect the government to allow civil unions as an alternative to establishing the same rights under the US Constitution. By this, same sex couples can be united by such people as a Justice of the Peace. I for one do not require a religious ceremony and would simply be happy just knowing my family cannot step in and take control of anything that belongs to my partner. This is all I ask. I do not want religious doctrine changed, I do not want Christians acceptance into their church if they are compelled by their own doctrine not to accept me. I could care less about that.

Let’s face it, the bottom line here is that there are greedy people all over the world, especially here in the US, and you let someone die beit friend-fo-relative or the like…The first thing people do is act stupid and create a Jerry Springer story all because they want what mama had hid under the mattress and swear it was a million bucks. Think about it? What happens when a person dies with no will in place or with a will that gets contested in cases that involve life partners? It goes in probate. The state gets the money. The longer the fight, the less money the rightful heir gets. There are probably cases out there where a relative of a homosexual couple has agreed to pay off the other rightful heir, or vice versa to prevent the loss of value to an estate by hanging it in probate. Who lost here? Evereyone loses in a situation like this.