In today's society people discriminate against homosexuals all the time. In the classroom, at people's offices, in people's own families. Right now, in many places throughout the U.S. being homosexual is something to be ashamed of. When kids think something is lame what do they say? "That's gay." I think this fact alone speaks volumes of the homophobia in today's society.

You are looking at the extreme examples at the expense of the whole picture. If someone said you could not marry the person you loved, would you be upset? Would you do whatever you could to fix what you perceived as a grave injustice? I want you to understand that I do not condone violence, but legal action is perfectly within people's rights.

People are upset, and they have just reasons for being upset. If someone tells you that you were to live in a country that promises "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" but later you find out that this is a lie, wouldn't you be upset? Would you be pretty fucking pissed off? Once again, anger to the point of violence is wrong, but fighting for your rights is reasonable....hell, it's American.

As for the vote on prop. 8, the majority should never have the power to take away rights from a minority group. It has happened in our past when other groups were discriminated against based on race. People voted on laws democratically, but eventually courts overturned these laws. Such was the case in California before prop. 8 was passed. The California supreme court deemed that disallowing homosexuals to marry was discriminatory. They came to this conclusion because they had to base their decision on facts. When the issue was put to a vote, people could base their decision on whatever reasons they wanted: their religious views, their ignorance, their intolerance and bigotry etc... Just because you don't want a certain group of people to not have rights doesn't allow you to take those rights away from them. You have to have a reason. A damn good one.

So now, tallblondebigotedguy, what are your reasons? What do you find so wrong with two people who love each other being allowed to enter into legal marriage? I swear that I am listening to your reasons now. Don't hide behind false pretenses of discrimination, or that people don't respect your views, because until you can give me your reasoning, all of that is irrelevant.

Actually I was referring to the kind of extremism that kills people. Like the Nazi's, or Muslim extremists. Honestly the debate about gay marriage is pretty tame in comparison. Reasonable debate is fine in this kind of situation.

I think compromising is the only reasonable solution that has the potential prevent massive conflicts (like a third world war).

Extreme ideologies are the issue. Groups that are unwilling to compromise resort to violence because they believe the ends justify the means. As long as we avoid extremist views (whether they be religious, nationalistic or any other) we have a chance at peace and stability.

Living everyday free from consequence, knowing that the next day you would always end up in the same position you were the day before? Sounds tempting, but I feel like it might get old after a while. Maybe for like a year it would be fun...but then again, what if you had a really painful illness you had to live through everyday. That would suck pretty hard.

The only hatred I've seen has been coming from the homosexual community

Well then your eyes are closed. Homosexuals have been discriminated against for centuries. They were even killed in the holocaust. If you don't believe that there is hate directed at homosexuals then please check out this site.

http://www.godhatesfags.com/

Your using the same argument that I've heard way to many times: "First we allow gays to marry...then what? A man and a dog? A father and his daughter? 7 chickens, 2 mules, a golf club and my left ass cheek?" Admittedly, you took it in a different direction and went more towards the gender aspect of the matter, but the argument is still the same. I say we cross those bridges when we get to them and stick to the subject at hand.

Secondly, let's assume your assertion about gender lines being blurred was correct. I fail to see what's wrong with that. Unisex bathrooms are already available in many collages, and some are even experimenting with mixed sex dorms. Honestly, a society with less boundaries between the sexes would probably be a healthier one. Studies have already proved that the best kind of boss is one that is androgynous (possessing both male and female characteristics).

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/ 2008/11/081107071957.htm

I'm going to ignore the the thing about animals because I think (or at least hope) you were joking.

Finally, I think you are making a ridiculous straw man argument when it comes to the language thing. First, English has more words than any other modern language (more then Spanish and French combined!), and this should not be a grammatical issue! If your so worried about specificity of language then just say "straight marriage" or "homosexual marriage" whenever you refer to them. It's not that hard. I'm sure eventually slang will develop to distinguish them, but officially there should be no difference. If your issue was a legitimate one we would have English professors all over the country protesting. If you can find me one example of this I will concede that you have won this debate.

(Also, stop copying and pasting arguments, I feel the need to respond to every post I disagree with but if you just copy and paste I have nothing new to add)

I was responding to the debate, but I was trying to be more funny then serious.

I agree getting rid of marriage as a legal term would be useful.