Military Gay Marriage

[theoddz]

I really and truly am sorry that you feel the way you do.

As far as marriage is concerned, at least you and your girlfriend have the OPTION TO MARRY and to legitimize your relationship in the eyes of the law. That's more than I have. People who have money will also tell you that money is not important, but those of us who don't have a pile of it will say it darned sure IS important, primarily because we DON'T have it. It's all a matter of perspective, is it not??

On the issue of two gay guys and two lesbians marrying each other, let me tell you that it IS done and HAS been done for eons in the same military that you and I served in. It is ILLEGAL and one can be punished under the UCMJ and other laws for fraud, amongst other things. Why should gays and lesbians be forced to resort to fraud and illegal tactics in order to have the SAME RIGHTS as you (as a heterosexual) do??? Explain that to me, and please spare me the religious overtones that are, basically, at the heart of your argument, because I am totally uninterested in religious doctrine becoming part of US laws ("separation of church and state", remember??).

I feel silly having to remind anyone, these days, that AIDS/HIV is NOT a "homosexual disease" but one that affects the entire human population. As a heterosexual, you are not having to pay any more for treatment of a public disease than I have to pay to support educate and finance the health care of the products of the heterosexual lifestyle (children).

Usually, when gays bring children into their relationship whom they did not produce themselves, they adopt children who are difficult to place or considered "unadoptable", therefore taking the burden of support of these kids off of the already overextended social system. If children are born into a lesbian/gay relationship, you can bet that they are there because they are WANTED and PLANNED FOR, as opposed to being the product of irresponsible heterosexual relations. These types of families should be applauded and appreciated for the service, love and compassion they provide for a lot of kids who wouldn't have homes otherwise. Even in nature, two female elephants will raise a young calf together without the presence of a "daddy". I might add, too, that a goodly number of gay and lesbian partners have incomes greatly above the established median incomes of their communities, thereby providing an environment of economic advantage to these children.

Quite personally, I was charmed at the picture I saw of Rosie O'Donnell and her new spouse, Kelli Carpenter, and I am extremely happy for them and proud that they had the courage to do what they did. I wish them the utmost of happiness now and forever.

And, lastly, I don't have children, however, if I did, there would be nothing to "explain", other than they are a family, just like anyone else, with all the same joys, sorrows, troubles and tribulations.

Oh yes, and you can call me a "dyke" all day long and it wouldn't offend me or any other lesbian I know of. In fact, we refer to each other that way, sometimes, although, fondly, of course.

Peace.