Gay Marriage should be 100% legal

Glad to hear back from you so soon! "My opponent uses the term gay showing that words change in meaning over time. And uses Shakespeare as an example. Shakespeare used very different language, hence comprehending his work is rather challenging in my opinion, but anyhow. Please give some more insight on how the definition of gay changing over time, should mean that the definition of a ceremony should change. Because marriage was designed strictly for joining a man and a woman, the word gay was just a word meaning happy, that changed, along with a whole list of other common terms." How would you feel if Marriage became one of those common terms. You don't want to change the definition of a celebration? So be it. Go celebrate the solemnity of thy wedlock (look it up). (hint, Solemnity in this sense has nothing to do with the word solemn). "Please elaborate on how a mental illness is at all related to a man and a woman, besides the chromosome idea that you brought up. Because, a man and a woman is not an illness, and typical folks with those syndromes have an extra chromosome not simply a different one." How about a 14-21 translocation? Or would you rather, a different chromosome? How about the chromosome which contains the genes for skin color. "Mmk..I am a heterosexual, I cannot marry a man either, but i can marry a woman, just like gay guys can, that is the same right. We both have it." I strongly suggest you look at this topic as a homosexual. That's how I do it. Same thing with gender issues. I look from both perspectives. When talking about civil rights, I think what a black person would think. That's a very effective way to look at things that don't necessarily pertain to yourself. Put yourself in someone else's shoes/ "Anyhow, why should we religious folk change the entire meaning of marriage that WE CREATED so that two people of the same sex can completely contradict and defile our beliefs? Yeah, that tends to make those of us who hold marriage sacred, unhappy." Here's the thing that has really never made any sense whatsoever to me. If you don't like the idea of gay marriage, don't have one. Don't associate with gays if you don't like them. But that argument provides no reason why it should be illegal. It provides a reason for why religious people shouldn't have them, and priests shouldn't be forced to perform them. Simple as that. "You shouldn't, you can't, society had created civil unions for people of the same sex, so that they can enjoy the same benefits. Just as we created marriage for ourselves." So, what it sounds like you are implying is that marriage was created by religious people so the values should stay the same. So what that leads me to believe is that, since I'm atheist, perhaps I should get a civil union to a woman? "People may be gay as they please, but what you must realize is that marriage is a religious thing so the government cannot tell it what it can and cannot do. If being gay is what makes them happy then so be it, but you don't need marriage to do so." But you need marriage to be happy in a heterosexual relationship? Or at least, it's allowed? "Your whole argument of "pursuit of happiness" is not defiled or restricted by not allowing same sex marriage, because the simple fact is we do not prohibit homosexuality, and if that makes them happy then they have free reign aside from marriage, but if that is really what makes them happy then they do not need marriage." We both live in suburbs of Portland. There, they have the first openly gay mayor of a major city (Unfortunately, Harvey Milk was murdered before he became mayor). He did some bad things (although I argue that they wouldn't have been so bad if he hadn't lied in his confession). He displayed just about every bad gay stereotype. They aren't all like him. Some of them would be content marrying one of their peers that happens to be the same gender. Like Ellen Degeneres. Perhaps, if Mayor Adams was allowed to marry, he wouldn't have had relationships with that 18-year-old, because he would have been happy. In conclusion, no matter how religious you are, you should understand that there is no reason to take away rights from other people, which in no way apply to you, and won't hurt society as a whole. It is a waste of legislation, and a scar on the face of America. Perhaps, if we were to take the idea from our neighbors up north, who really should be more of a role model, who we don't give enough credit to, perhaps we could learn something. If you think gay marriage will lead to chaos, well, look at how horrible things are up in Canada... Alex, I would like to thank you for an amazing debate. People from Oregon must be really smart (well, maybe not Ted Kulongoski or Sam Adams... Maybe only people named Alex from Oregon...).