Florida has banned gay marriage

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starcraft said:

damkira said:

Its really sad that Florida has told me my relationship doesn't mean anything. I understand that some people have religious reasons to believe marriage is between a man and a woman but does that mean that if I get sick my partner wouldn't be able to visit me in the hospital? Does it mean that we shouldn't be entitled to the tax breaks that straight couples have the option to receive if they get married?? If you want to say marriage is between a man and a woman that's fine.. but gay people should have a legal equivalent, which we can't have since the amendment passed.

Its a question of civil rights.

I think you are probably a little further left than me, but this is largely where I stand on the issue.  Marriage is a religious institution that i believe should be respected for what it is.  That means a man and a man cannot be married ever.  I don't even believe a state has a right to change the rules of marriage to allow that.

But when two people share a life together, the things the state DOES control like taxes and superannuation should be tailored to everyone's needs equally.

 

EXACTLY.  I like the way you put it.  That's why civil unions are there.  It is the opportunity for same-sex couples to enjoy all if the same civil liberties that straight-couples enjoy, just without the religious part.  This way everyone's happy.  The religious people still have their religion's respect, and others have their liberties.