Issues Pertaining to Homosexuality

I will be sure to give the links CC provided regarding the war effort a look, but I am not going to comment too much further on that because the war isn't the theme of this debate. The only thing I will say is that although I am not thrilled about how dramatically the violence has escalated in the Middle East or how many young men and women have died, I hold no grudge against or disdain for the American troops or the troops of our allies. As I said, my best friend's brother was recently deployed to Iraq and I hope with all my heart that he will come back alive. I also wish CC the best of luck for when he goes to Afghanistan. Now let us return to the topic at hand. When I debate some of those that are against gay marriage, I notice that once you ask them to put their religious convictions aside, they can come up with no other legitimate justification for barring it. In the cases of many, ignorance and just plan meanness prevents people from opening their minds and hearts to those that are different from them. I am not claiming this is the case with my opponent, as I do not know him personally. Unlike those that I have encountered picketing the gay pride parades, CC has at least expressed genuine interest in hearing my side of the issue and for that I am truly appreciative. As I have said, I am not a big fan of organized religion as I don't believe it encourages open mindedness and interpretation as much as it indoctrinates people. While they have the right to assemble, it really saddens me to see religious people showing up at gay events with signs saying, "Repent, put an end to your sinful lifestyle" as if my sexuality is something I can consciously change like a hairstyle or an outfit. Many credible scientific reports that have come out are showing that a person's sexuality is inalterable; something that is part of their genetic blueprint for their entire lives. People that claim to have "changed" their sexuality, through say, counseling, often find that deep down, they are miserable and unfulfilled. They are living according to how OTHERS think they should live, instead of pursuing what their minds, hearts and souls truly want. Make no mistake, there are many more people who are gay or lesbian but are forced to keep it under wraps due to societal constraints. I think my opponent offered a perfect and quite telling example when he mentioned his female bisexual friend who stated that, "while she prefers females, she will eventually settle down with a male when the time comes for family and marriage." This is why I feel tolerance is so very important. If people were more understanding and less critical, there would be no need to feel pressured to HAVE to settle down with the opposite sex. Granted, the girl is a bisexual- so she can go either way. But I hope that regardless of who she ultimately winds up with, she will do it because it is what SHE feels in her heart to be right. This segways into gay families; a topic I briefly touched on in my last post. A dear friend of mine was raised almost all of her life by her gay father and his boyfriend (Note : I refuse to use the term ‘partner' because they are a loving couple, not a business duo, though some don't seem to mind that terminology). Although some might claim that children from gay families will grow up to be dysfunctional, unproductive and confused, my friend is the complete antithesis. She is a down to earth, intellectual and entirely free thinking individual who knows what she wants out of life. One need not necessarily have a maternal and paternal influence at home in order to thrive in the outside world. What is needed most in ANY kind of family, gay or straight, is love and support. My opponent said he is not a fan of hypothetical questions because the ones I posed to him do not run concurrently with his personal beliefs. But is that not the purpose of hypothetical questions? To force us, if only for a moment, to step out of that which is comfortable for us and put ourselves in the shoes of others? Perhaps the real reason why my opponent initially hesitated to respond to my questions was because not only do they conflict with his personal convictions, but maybe he'd realize for himself just how unfair banning gays and lesbians from marrying truly is. America, by its own constitution is NOT meant to "abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens or deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law." And what legal precedent is there for barring gay marriages? To use an interpretation of the fourteenth amendment that I found on www.religioustolerance.org, "If same sex couples are barred from marriage, it is an abridgement of the privileges they are entitled to as citizens of the United States; a deprivation of liberty and prosperity. Plainly, it is discriminatory and the Fourteenth article clearly states that selective granting of privileges is not allowed in the United States." I am aware that Bill Clinton enacted the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that continues to exist in the military. He also proposed "The Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA) in the early nineties. But I am not sure if either of these came about due to a kind of homophobia on Clinton's part, or if they were moves of political tact and strategy. And in regards to the Boy and Girl Scouts, they can enact whatever policies they so choose as a privately run and funded organization- something that both CC and I have acknowledged. Personally, I have no respect for such blatantly exclusive policies in ANY organization, privately maintained or not. My opponent and I see somewhat eye to eye on the issue of public displays of affection; be they between gay or straight couples. I don't NEED to see two people giving one another a tonsil inspection in front of my face, but when it happens (and it has), I usually ignore it and go on about my business. There are far more important things to get alarmed about. Thank You to all for reading. Happy New Year to everybody!!!