Fighting the Marriage Amendment Gay Activist Call for "Flooding of  Marriage Bureaus With Same-Sex Marriage License Applications" Commentary by LD Lewis   LOS ANGELES, CA, Jan. 8, 2004: Lesbian and gay rights activists today announced sweeping plans for a set of gay rights rallies designed to protest the Marriage Amendment  in 20 major cities February 9-15, 2004.

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Spearheading activities are The Equality Campaign,  Marriage Equality and the National Freedom to Marry Coalition, Don't Amend and Metropolitan Community Churches, the world's largest predominantly gay and lesbian church group. The goal of the rallies is to increase support for same-sex marriage and stop the proposed Marriage Amendment to the US Constitution, which they contend is anti-gay. If passed, gay activists argue the constitutional amendment will prohibit marriages by same sex couples, mixed groups and other alternative lifestyle, while permanently defining marriage as a union between a man and woman in the United States. Activists assert this amendment singles out homosexuals and cause further changes to civil rights currently shared by all Americans. 

This is a scare tactic and completely untrue. The amendment seeks to keep the current laws legal without changing their definition and does not effect or change current civil rights for any group as they are now stated. TOP

Most Americans profess being split on the issue of gay marriages, even among those whom support gay rights, this issue crosses the line by changing the definitions of family, marriage and what constitutes civil rights.  With religion aside, at the core of the issue, one question: Is homosexuality something people cannot help as gay rights activists contend, or is it a behavior as science states?  If defined as something that cannot be helped, a condition that people are born with, homosexuality falls under a handicap as it serves as a deterrent to achieving all society has to offer.    For many, this justifies making gay marriages legal. 

Expanding marriage to include same sex or any grouping of people as such a law would require, destroys rather than strengthens society. TOP

"There is recent evidence from the Netherlands, arguably the most "gay-friendly" culture on earth that homosexual men have a very difficult time honoring the ideal of marriage.  Even though same-sex marriage is legal there, a British medical journal reports male homosexual relationships last on average 1.5 years and gay men have an average of 8 partners outside of their supposedly committed relationship," comments Glen T. Stanton, author of Why Marriage Matters: Reasons to Believe in Marriage in a Postmodern Society.

"Contrast that with the fact that 67% of first marriages in the United States last 10 years and more than 75% of heterosexual couples report being faithful to their vows." --the Contributions of Steady and Casual Partnerships to the Incidence of HIV Infections Among Homosexual Men in Amsterdam, AIDS 17 (2003):1029.38

Homosexual activists discount the British study and state that each union must be looked at for itself and not compared to others.

"We're not taking this threat lying down," said activist Robin Tyler, a co-founder of Don't Amend and Executive Director of The Equality Campaign.  TOP

"Accepting any status less than marriage, for example, civil unions or domestic partnership, does not afford us the same benefits as marriage. These so called 'compromises' are supposed to be 'separate, but equal' but in fact, are a form of marriage segregation which treats us as second class citizens. Marriage is a human right, not a heterosexual privilege."

Cutting Through the Propaganda

Opponents of same-sex nuptials point out, homosexuals can marry.  Nobody is stopping them. No member of society is prohibited from marrying another provided that person is of the opposite sex, not a close relative or unable to enter into a contract, defined as an animal, fish or non-human creature, a minor or dead.  The same rules apply to everyone whether sexual preferences include men, women, children or something else. Unlike characteristics of race, which people are born with, science continues to find homosexuality is a behavior. TOP

During the past century, scientists and social anthropologists have been unable to find any link via DNA, biological means or a neurological cause for homosexuality.  The most recent study by researchers Dean Hamer and Simon LeVay concluded in 2002 after 13 years of research.  Their objective: find a biological, physiological or neurological cause for homosexuality.  Upon completion, their study concluded based upon available research, that homosexuality is a behavior primarily influenced by three factors:  a) Gender confusion in childhood, b) Failure to internalize maleness and c) Sexual abuse by a same-sex predator.  The Hamer/LeVay study considered men only; an interesting side note to the study encompasses a vested interest by both researchers as each actively participates in homosexuality.

Gay activists prefer public opinion not equate behavior and homosexuality as choice or preference, even when scientific evidence consistently strengthens this position. To do so immediately disarms the argument that gay marriage is a civil right.  Classified as a behavior, it no longer falls under the auspices of rights. Behaviors possess the capacity as learned to be modified or changed.  Rather than address science, the movement characterizes those mentioning this as homophobic and anti-gay. They scream no one would choose to be gay, which is not true.  The fact that bisexuality exists proves people do choose homosexuality over heterosexuality, and they choose it often.  TOP

Proponents of the Marriage Amendment point out few in the United States will argue that one is not free to engage in homosexuality and enjoy it if a person chooses.  Few challenge an adult's choice to have sex with whomever he or she wants, (providing it's not a minor) and no one is trying to prevent any person from having homosexual sex. The few arcane laws on the books from past eras continue to be over turned and judged unconstitutional. Americans have made it clear the government has no place in an adult's bedroom.  The right to be homosexual, practice homosexuality or enjoy homosexuality is not at issue.

Most also agree that how a person has sex should not prevent anyone from owning a home, getting a job or any of the other rights granted to humanity on the basis one is human. The manner by which a person chooses to engage in sexual intercourse bears no impact on his or her ability to perform a job or own a home, unless that job entails situations where nudity or children are involved that might be endangered by a member of the opposite, or in this case, same sex such as a gym or camping event where sexual temptation is best eliminated. 

The Marriage Amendment does not effect these rights and freedoms and the right to be or practice homosexuality is not at issue.  It is a right and a privilege.  As any adult knows, choices and privileges come consequences and responsibility.  Choose to be homosexual.  Accept the privileges and consequences just as someone choosing to be heterosexual must do.  Again, science states it is a behavior, not innate.  Only gay activists say it is something people are born with.  Science does not and cannot support their position.

What is at issue is natural law. Allowing gay marriages encompasses rewriting natural laws and changing societal norms, which have proven to strengthened society's for over 5,000 years to accommodate the whims and tastes of a few.  This few constitutes 2%, not the 7%, 10% or 12% that the activist throw out to confuse people.  Their advocacy states all laws that have allowed for a stable society through marriage should be changed for the 2% whom find the rules inconvenient. 

What is the gain for the 98% of society? Opponents point out that the act of two men having sex together or two women having sex together provides no benefit to society other than preventing unwanted pregnancies. Rather the act promotes a number of societal ills at a greater rate then the heterosexual population including the spread of disease, pedophilia, statutory rape and mental health issues, while popularizing hedonism and promiscuity.  To many objecting to homosexual marriages, the idea of society granting special privileges to 2% of the population for actions that fail to strengthen and have proven to weaken society constitutes insanity. TOP

Fact vs Theory

Gay activists argue that allowing homosexuals to marry will strengthen society by giving homosexuals the same stability heterosexuals experience. What they fail to mention is marriage does not cause stability, it is simply a byproduct of a solid union as anyone whom has been divorced will point out.  Stability comes from the commitment, excellent mental health and communication skills, common goals and shared values, ability to respect and cherish and a willingness to love each other unconditionally.  Marriage doesn't deliver this. If these skills and attributes are not present before, they won't be present after.

Gay activists point out too many children are without mothers and fathers today to ignore and  that a number of children grow up in single family homes without the benefit of both parents and to contend that two homosexual parents are any different than a single parent is prejudice.  By allowing gays to marry, more children will grow up in loving homes rather than the foster care system.  Further, gay activists contend that though science may not prove homosexuality is innate, it doesn't disprove it either and to punish them for science's lack of advancement is unjust.  Science additionally does not show homosexual unions to promote healthy childhood development, though many studies confirm the necessity of both a mother and father in raising a healthy child, one of the primary reasons joint custody agreements have become the norm. 

Hypothesis exists on both sides of the issue with homosexuals stating children are just as healthy regardless of the absence of one sex. Opponents insist the absence of both sexes in the childrearing is producing a generation of asexual persons more inclined to participate and promote homosexual behavior and missing many of the traits which make men and women different.  In neither case does substantial historical evidence exist to confirm or deny either position.  Decisions and positions stand on theory, not fact in the area of child rearing in respect to gay parents;  children will be the  guinea pigs in this type of social experiment to prove or disprove it conclusively Opponents point out, for each child's welfare, this is too high of price to pay.  Children are children, not rats in a cage. TOP

In the area of attributing homosexuality to innateness,  hypotheses exist such as the Kinsey Scale that contends a person's sexuality and preferences range on a scale between 1 and 6: One being 100% heterosexual and six being 100% homosexual. The Kinsey Scale is considered Junk Science by respected researchers, doctors and academia. (See Side Bar Below)

"We are not asking for special rights, we are seeking equal rights," explains veteran human rights activist Rev. Troy D. Perry, Founder and Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches and the first openly gay member of the Los Angeles Human Rights Commission and a past delegate to the White House Conference on Hate Crimes. TOP

We Don't Have Access to the Same Benefits

Gay marriages opponents contend homosexuals are asking for special rights based upon how they choose to have sex. This is accurate. The government does not decide these extras, and frankly there is a penalty in taxes if you are married. Companies decide whether or not to extend the same benefits to civil unions, domestic partnerships and common-law marriages, not the government. These apply to heterosexual couples choosing not to marry, single or  unmarried as well as alternative lifestyles.  There is no discrimination here. Insurance companies, hospitals and businesses are free to decide if they want to support these alternatives to marriage, and can if it makes economic sense.  Laws don't prevent them from doing this.  The companies make the choice not to support them. Marriage is not needed. 

The Marriage Amendment has no effect on the current civil rights afforded all, including single or dating heterosexuals and homosexual couples. Rather than create companies to support their needs, gay activists prefer to force companies to support them, even if doing so violates the civil rights and  religious beliefs of the person owning the company or those administrating  the benefits.

This is the Same As Race Issues or Religion?

With the exception of secular versions of the major faiths and the Episcopal Church, which now recognizes homosexuals in the clergy, most established Christian denominations including Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Mormon, Presbyterian and Baptist churches and Jewish and Muslim leaders strongly disagree with the homosexual marriage agenda.

"Marriage is defined by the God as the union of a man and a woman. No human society--not--one--has ever tolerated marriage between members of the same sex as a norm for family life," confirms Stanton.

"Children truly need both a mom and a dad," he continues.  "It is cruel to intentionally deny them this (through Gay Marriages). The research supporting the this (the necessity for influence on child development by members of both sexes) is both substantial and unequivocal!" TOP

Redefining marriage to accommodate the wishes and taste of a few holds further repercussions for society opponents of gay marriage argue. "Marriage would become merely an emotional relationship that is flexible enough to include any grouping of loving adults.  If it is fair for two men or two women to marry, why not three or five or seventeen? The same sex proposition cannot tolerate the idea that any real, deep and necessary differences exist between the sexes, preferring to rest on the 'Mr. Potato Head' theory of interchangeable parts," Stanton argues.

"Every Human society is established by males and females joining in permanent unions to build a life together, bear and raise children.  There has never been a culture or society that made homosexual marriages part of the family model," Stanton concludes. TOP

Homosexuality enjoyed freedom and praise in societies past as accepted and welcomed behavior.  In each case in relation to their existence, these society's imploded shortly thereafter. Yet despite the open acceptance, even in its heyday of the Roman and Greek empires, homosexuals were never granted marriage. TOP

Creating an Asexual Society

Gay activists see history as irrelevant, old fashion and not in line with the American Constitution.  They consider homosexuality equivalent to race, origin or ethnicity, even when science cannot substantiate their beliefs. This is where the contention arises and where Americans need to think seriously about the repercussion. Nobody is saying two men or two women cannot live and practice homosexuality.  This right exists already in the United States.  Adults are free to copulate with as many other adults as they want of either sex in the United States.

The agenda promoting gay marriages requires society change the course of history by minimizing marriage and the differences between men and women. Gay marriage states men and women are homogeneous, interchangeable and the strengths and differences brought to the table by femininity and masculinity should be ignored. The feminist movement, heavily influenced by homosexual and bi-sexual women, continues to press forth that women equal men, not only in rights but it equates femininity with weakness.  TOP

Equal pay for equal work is one thing. Asexual is quite another as it marginalizes the strengths and differences that bring balance to a family, society and child rearing. Given the misunderstandings and difficulties that arise in a relationship between a man and a woman, men and women are certainly not interchangeable and should not be seen as interchangeable in marriage or parenting.  Those differences constitute necessity. Men and women compliment each other's strengths  and compensate for each other's weaknesses.  Men and women are  created as opposites for a reason because together each is stronger than apart. TOP

Conclusion

Gay rights activists push forth an agenda which states women and men are interchangeable and society should not recognize any differences between men and women because none exists. Two daddy's are just as good as two mommy's which are just as good as five mommy's or three daddy's and two mommy's. Americans need to decide for themselves which philosophy each agrees with. The first opportunity approaches the week of Valentines this year.

"During Valentine's Week, February 9-15, I am calling on gay and lesbian couples to go to courthouses, municipal offices and marriage bureaus across America to apply for marriage licenses," Perry encourages, citing his own legal marriage in Canada this past year to his longtime partner Philip Ray DeBlieck as his inspiration in pursuing  marriage recognition for homosexual unions in the United States.

"We plan to use the events of Valentine's Weeks as educational events, and we plan to use this opportunity to explain why God's gay and lesbian children should be entitled to full equal rights, including marriage rights."

Cities currently organizing pro-Gay Marriage rallies for Valentines Week include:
 

Appleton, WI Atlanta, GA Broward, FL Chicago, IL Clinton, IA Columbia, SC Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX Delray Beach, FL Denver, CO Des Moines, IA Harrisburg, PA

Ithaca, NY Lancaster, PA Little Rock, AK Los Angeles, CA Sacramento, CA Seattle, WA Tampa Bay, FL Tucson, AZ Washington, DC Williamsburg, VA. TOP

The fight for marriage and how it is defined now hits full swing and Americans, regardless of sexual preference need to spend some time researching this issue. This is a decision that will matter in one hundred years and the consequences or benefits felt for a millennium. Those  interested in supporting the Gay Marriage initiative or learning more about this group's agenda, visit  Don't Amend. Those interested in supporting the Marriage Amendment to keep marriage between opposite sexes or learning more about this group's agenda, visit the Alliance for Marriage.  Either way, the decision this generation makes on this issue will effect all generations to come.  Do the research. Question what we are told about homosexuality rather than take it at face value from both sides, pro-Marriage Amendment and Anti-Marriage Amendment. Such a immense responsibility begs each American consider seriously where he or she stands, what his or her values are and what defines his or her morality and then vote according to conscience rather than peer pressure, perceived public opinion, fear or empathy. Comments? Tell Us What You Think! To understand how Homosexuality is packaged and sold via propaganda, see Selling Homosexuality in America The Truth About Religion & Homophobia: Some of My Best Friends are Gay The Marriage Amendment: Both Sides Have It Wrong THE MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

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