Don't Legalize same-sex marriage.

[Dark]

Equalize marriage.

1,400 rights are given to those who are married, and ONLY those who are married.

Give gays and lesbians the rights they deserve because they are HUMAN.

EQUALIZE MARRIAGE!

Now, for those out there who like framing the debate, note:

This phrase removes the two explosive terms:

-Legalize (associated with things the governments allows, but are morally condemned by many Americans i.e. marijuana, abortion, gambling)

-Gay (I don't think I need to tell you why many Americans feel uncomfortable with this word)

It replaces these with EQUALIZE, which has positive connotations to Americans (Equality, Equal rights, etc.)

And, it is brings to the front the inequality of the current situation.

Don't Legalize Gay Marriage.

EQUALIZE MARRIAGE!

What do you think?

[Teaser]

1. surprisingly good

most people don't get good ideas in the morning.

[Dark]

3. Thanks.

I got a good nights sleep last night!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. might work

because it points out the importance of the humanity of the people invovled.

[Dark]

6. I think it would work better than the current statement, because

it gets rid of the terms that upset moderates, and replaces them with a much more accurate, and in all respects better, term.

[terrya]

4. As long as we gay and lesbian couples get the SAME rights hetero couples..

get with marriage...that's the only thing important to me.

Great idea. Personally, I do have a problem with the term "gay marriage" since it does unfairly stigmatize the whole debate.

I certainly can support a drive to equalize marriage.

[Dark]

5. Plus most Americans want equality. But they don't like the term

'legalize'.

So, remove the terms with bad connotations, replacing them with one that feels better and is, in fact, more honest.

[Fenris]

9. That's what the UK has done.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4493094.stm

[megatherium]

7. The Louisville gay rights organization calls itself the Fairness Campaign.

A good name. Their fine efforts eventually succeeded in giving Louisville a gay rights ordinance, protecting employment. This happened after a local baptist charity (which operated on city contracts) fired a woman when they found out she was lesbian. This abruptly undercut the local anti-gay forces and their argument that gay people already have equal rights and only want "special" rights.

[Dark]

8. I agree. We need to show people that we can't get what they can

because we're gay.

So, I say, equalize reminds them that we are not equal.

Not to mention, opponents can be framed as being in favor of inequality.

[BOSSHOG]

10. Why does same sex marriage have to be legalized?

Where in the constitution is it banned (not counting those dumbass state constitutions, which actually just proves my point) If same sex marriage were illegal why would constitutions have to amended banning them? And why cede the right to neanderthals to "define" marriage? I'm a happily married heterosexual and I like the term gay marriage. Gays should be proud. And the term pisses off those who hate in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus wouldn't hate a gay married couple. He'd be pissed at all those heterosexuals and their divorce rates, and incest rates and spousal abuse rates. Those Americans who are "uncomfortable" with the term Gay are ignorant mother fuckers who have no idea how lucky they are living in this country. They can take their plans for a theocracy and find their own homeland.

[Dark]

11. But there are a lot of moderates who can't make up their minds.

This would bring to the forefront the inequality that gays and lesbians face.

[MsUnderstood]

12. *taking off my boxing gloves*

dammit I was comin in here to fight--but you make sense.

Along those lines (but not the same fight) don't call it homophobia, call it homoprejudice.

Homophobia indicates an irritaional fear you CAN'T control like my fear of spiders.

Homoprejudice reminds people that it is a prejudice when discriminate against gays and lesbians and it can be controlled or legislated like other prejudices in the past.

[Dark]

13. I've always liked the term homohatred, or fear of queers.

But you're right. Homophobia has, however, taken on a negative connotation recently. Which is good, of course, because it IS negative. . .

[election_2004]

15. I prefer the term "orientationism"

As an umbrella term referring to ALL discrimination based on sexual orientation.

That way, bisexuals and transgender people are included in the reference too.

[Dark]

14. Kick

[cannabis_flower]

16. What did you say?

you said "-Legalize (associated with things the governments allows, but are morally condemned by many Americans i.e. marijuana, abortion, gambling)"

:rofl: marijuana's allowed!! :rofl:


I think I'll go smoke one downtown.. wait a minute..

It's not allowed, I'll smoke one anyway but I think I'll do it at home.

:rofl:

[Dark]

17. True,

but Legalize gains a negative connotation from marijuana.

And most arguments on legalizing don't center on it being a moral thing to do, but instead it's a 'regrettable right' that people should be allowed to do but still shouldn't do.