New York State Passes Marriage Equality Act

Not that I can take any credit for it, but thank you. Human rights is one area that Canada punches far above its weight. Our Charter of Rights and Freedoms was added to our Constitution in 1982. While not explicitly granting equality to gays and lesbians at the time, courts since have interpreted the Charter to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Homosexuals have served openly in the military since 1992.

Equal rights were granted to same sex couples in 1999.

Laws against hate speech (aka 'freedom of speech' in the US) were extended to include sexual orientation in 2004.

So yeah, this big fight in the US over basic human rights seems more than a little strange. Are there some states where homosexuality is still a crime? Canada changed its laws on that in 1969.

Here's an article that explains many of the legal battles we've endured over the issue. Canada has conservatives and homophobes, too, so don't think it's been without controversy.

 

Doesn't it seem a bit discriminatory, biased or a bit outside the bounds of Political Correctness to call it "Gay Marriage" what about Bi's, Lesbian's and Transvestites? I propose we call it a BLT Grouping? That would bring home the Bacon and include all the letter's in that acronym.

I have no problem with LGBT Union's and all the right's these Union's entail. I have a problem with them calling it a marriage. To me the reason this is such an important issue is that those who have fought for these rights are now dealing with some anger issues related to the battle and just want to stick it in the face of those that have resisted this issue, my .02.

Gays Against Gay Marriage

What is Obama's present stand on Gay Marriage vs. Gay Union vs. ?

Obama's Gay Marriage Wimp-Out | Story | POWERWALL

 

isn't it covered by 14th amendment??

 

I hope same sex divorce rate will be less than 50% unlike for the rest of the population.

 

I just don't think that will be the case. But it would certainly humble and quiet some big mouth's now wouldn't it? :rockon:

 

I don't think any right's not under the Federal umbrella would be extended to other states, i.e. Medical Marijuana laws for instance.

 

Talk about an incorrect title. It should be "One Gay Against Gay Marriage".

This is (just one of many reasons) why I laugh hysterically whenever anybody accuses Obama of being liberal.

 

Depends on how you define "privileges or immunities" as outlined in Section 1.
If so.....then my CCP would be (or should be) valid for all 50 states---right?

Not really my issue.

op2:

 

So his single stand on Gay Marriage makes him not a Liberal?

Even with both eye's open you demonstrate a certain knack for tunnel vision.

BTW, check Canada's past history in racism racist institutions for a knock out punch to your previous theory of Canada's stand on individual rights', not that I'm knocking them but by using your above definitions of a singular example Canada does not qualify for your platitudes. :nono:

 

Yeah, well there is hope on the horizon. Wisconsin just sent a bill to the Governor for signing to allow concealed carry. The only hold out is Ill'o-noise.

 

No, his stance on Libya, off-shore drilling, not stopping torture, the Patriot Act... (oh, I could go on for hours) make him not a liberal. This is just par for the course for him.

I know everybody to the left of Ann Coulter looks alike to you, but you must be thinking of somebody else. I will be the first to admit Canada has a horrible record on individual rights - no, wait, actually this guy would be the first. Although their health care is still exponentially better than ours.

 

ok folks, don't let tre kidnap this thread and make into an Anti-Obama thread. I for one am PROUD to live in a state that will allow same sex couples marry. Being married is more that a piece of paper. Being marrried means being able to make decisions for your partner s without their families overruling your and partner's desires, i.e DNR .

 

There is no reality only perception. Your reality is different from mine. If the tables were reversed what would be an opposite from "don't care either way?"

By definition any vote to get more then 50% constitutes common sense. If more then 50% oppose it it is common. War in Iraq was a common sense; overwhelming majority voted for it.

 

Firstly, thank you all for supporting this, it's really something for a minority to see the majority sticking up for them. Thanks.

Secondly, trébuchet, regarding the phrasing as "gay marriage", I know many people who call it "equal marriage". Addresses the issue and the semantics all in one, I'm a fan.

 

Yeah because the US never had slavery or race camps... Uh huh... Canada is leagues above the US in every social issue.

You "not caring either way" means you are for it. If it passes or not, you don't care. So if it hurts and oppresses 10%+ of the population then you should be "for it".

50% of the popular vote, I would agree. 50% of the cronies' votes, no.

 

since you brought it up how do you feel that US prison population exceeds the population of GULAG at the heights of Stalin's oppressions? THat our incarceration rate is highest of any other country in the world, including such oppressive regimes like Cuba, N. Korea, China, Iran and yes historical Hitler's Germany and Stalin's USSR. Would you consider your "not caring" equal to "for it"?

 

It hasn't always been that way. We've had 'race camps' during the first world war with people of Ukrainian descent, and during the second with people of Japanese descent. Considered 'enemy combatants', they had their property confiscated and were removed to remote locations.

Canada brought in large numbers of people from China to build the railway, and then clamped down on immigration when it was done. People of Chinese descent were routinely discriminated against, especially with rights to vote and own property.

Canada's record with its own native populations has been particularly shameful. As far back as first contact, villages were given blankets purposely infected with smallpox, so it could be said we've even used germ warfare. Dene men were forced to carry dusty sacks of 'yellowcake' without being told what it was, or of the known dangers. The infamous 'residential schools' stole children from their homes, forbade them to speak their own languages, and left them in the care of priests. Physical, mental, and sexual abuse was rampant. It's a sad, ugly story whose effects are still felt strongly in many communities.

Today, for the most part, Canada is a great place to live - certainly far better than most - and can legitimately be seen as a world leader in some respects, human rights legislation being one of them. But we have skeletons in our closet, too.

 

Who says I didn't care about prison overcrowding?

I think the reasons why people are sentenced to jail are asinine most of the time. Legalization and taxation of marijuana would help quite a lot there not to mention reduce crime and increase revenue.

Having said that, it is also silly to compare it at all to historical empires.

I know all about that (from YYZ area) but the difference is that one country has learned and passed equality measures while others have not. Every country has skeletons, some much worse than others. True equality for everyone is still not present in all western countries. This map is from wiki. The dark blue areas same-sex marriage is legal. The light blue is where civil unions (or equivalent) are recognized. The rest has yet to learn. I figure the US will probably be one of the last blue-ized countries on the list to include Europe + NA.