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So Maryland is the sixth state in the Union to pass the "Equal Rights under Marriage" act. Got to say, and its been a long time since I could say this, but I'm proud to be a Marylander (or at least living here so close enough) today.

Maryland, which was quickly followed by Maine and Washington, has joined with a popular Eastern US movement that includes six states and DC. DC clearly but also New York, Massachusetts, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut all have on the books laws stating for equal rights. Wisconsin has elected an openly homosexual Senator and Minnesota (which was lacking laws to either side) passed a law declaring that "discrimination of any form to any person over any concern shall be illegal". So while not really a rally of homosexual rights, its still a good way to put something on the books without upsetting the status quo of the region.

The great plains states still have pretty strict bans on the matter along with most of the south. Several states are strongly against the issue while several states (like Tennessee, Missouri and Mississippi) have in their state constitutions that Marriage is "Between man and woman" and lack the population desire to change it.

While I live in Maryland, due to family ties I remain strongly loyal to Appalachia and I've found that the differences in ideals on the issue differ to the point of near insanity. Maryland has a strong Homosexual population so the law passing here wasn't a surprise once it made it to the polls. But with Appalachia, Kentucky remains VERY much against the matter. West Virginia defines marriage by its state level polices and Homosexuals just aren't listed. I don't think that was by intention to ignore anyone but they did only have fourteen days to write the state constitution so some things were bound to be missed. Tennessee has taken, yet again, its normal stance of "who cares/whatever/leave us alone and do what you want" attitude.

Figured I'd ask about the thoughts of everyone here on the matter.

Let homosexuals suffer the same as us breeders, I say. Whether or not two guys who aren't me get married ain't my business.

Well, Appalachia has taken that stance and without the population to move the votes to committee its going to take a federal law to get things changed there.

The government shouldn't have a say in who and who can't get married. How the state's citizens chose to arrange themselves shouldn't be their concern.

In that case... the State Government's opionion shouldn't matter either...

The problem is that people still put too much weight behind the "religious" side of marriage. 99% of the arguments against same-sex marriage are based on religious grounds. On a legal side, if you are spending the rest of your life with someone and sharing all financial responsibilities... who cares what sex either person is. Joint tax filings and/or health care should not be based on if "God" likes it or not.

Its not religious. Religion has nothing to do with marriage, never has. Its simply an excuse for bias and ignorance like so many other times throughout history where Religion has been blamed for a problem caused by people. I've listened to hundreds of arguments against Marriage under equal rights and not once have I heard anything founded by religion. "The bible says" is not the word of God. Then I hear the common "I believe in biblical marriage", I heard that from a guy who was standing over his daughter who was likely 12. I pointed at his kid and told him in that case "I should just rape your daughter and I'll mail you fifty bucks in silver next week and she can belong to me." He gave me a confused look so I told him to read deuteronomy.

To this day, its still the best line I've found to shut these blasphemers the hell up.

Good on Maryland. My mother's a justice of the peace and believes that anyone who's of legal age should get married to who they want to.

I believe if I don't like gay marriage then I shouldn't get one... everything else is up to everyone else.

Deepcrush wrote:I believe if I don't like gay marriage then I shouldn't get one... everything else is up to everyone else.

Exactly my thoughts - the only marriage that properly concerns me is mine.

What people do behind closed doors does not concern me. If two guys or gals are happily married to each other I don't care.

The only problem I have is the super flamboyant gay guys. I just find them annoying but I also find valley girls annoying.

The issue with that is that they are literally standing out and making an impact on your life.

McAvoy wrote:The only problem I have is the super flamboyant gay guys.

Amen. Gives the rest of us a bad name.

+5 for Maryland and +1 for the USA as a whole. Doing better than we are on this front at the moment.

Ya know, if the GOP really was all about personal freedom, minimizing the role of government in your life, and the sanctity of the constitution they'd be the ones doing their level best to end government control over marriage.

Tyyr wrote:Ya know, if the GOP really was all about personal freedom, minimizing the role of government in your life, and the sanctity of the constitution they'd be the ones doing their level best to end government control over marriage.

"If"

This is another reason why Romney lost: the GOP is about minimizing government's role in one's life... so long as the "one" in question conforms to a particular norm arbitrarily set by the current vocal minority within the party. These are not the Reagan Republicans... unfortunately.