Gay marriage: Is it just me?

[NicoleM]

I don't understand how anybody can call himself or herself a Democrat and be against gay marriage. I honestly don't. If it's a religious belief, that's fine as long as you're not trying to impose your beliefs on the rest of us. "I'm personally opposed to gay marriage, but it's none of my business if other people want to do it" is okay with me. But "I'm against gay marriage but I support civil unions," is not. If there is somebody out there who wants to explain to me why that's okay, please do. I'm all eyes.

I understand that it's politically difficult for the party leaders to stand up for gay marriage, considering the polls show around half of all Americans oppose it. But rather than caving or triangulating with "I'm against gay marriage but I support civil unions," shouldn't the DNC leadership be trying to educate Americans on why gay marriage is a) the right thing to do, and b) not as scary as the Repubs want them to believe? Aren't we letting the R's set the terms of the debate by giving up the word "marriage" up front?

Somebody help me out here, because the way this is being handled is really bothering me.

[Care Bear]

1. I think you are

idealizing the Democratic Party.

There are many who can't deal with gay marriage because of sincere religious crap (in my opinion, crap); and the expedients who are going with the prevailing attitudes!

The DNC leadership needs to be abolished and reconstituted or we seriously need to get together a Labor/Liberal party as soon as we get Bush out. By that I mean, stay together through November and then immediately begin organizing a party for progressives.

[Moderator]

2. Locking

Please continue in one of the current threads on this subject