Discrimination against homosexuals carried into the 21st century

But was it POLITICALLY CORRECT to persecute the poor fellow into an embarrassing withdrawal? I thought the whole gay thing was all about tolerrance and understanding.”Hoot

Please educate me. When was it decided officially that gay rights = civil rights?

OK. Thanks. I was only asking. Jesus! You'd think I'd said something that was politically incorrect around here.”Hoot Mon

Ringo, TD, DC, et al.:You young guys think you know everything, of course. That's your fault for being young. What you may not know is that I'm an old guy with more relevant experiences than you.I was married once to a wiccan. She was straight, but many of the other wiccas in her coven were not. We even got married by one of them who had some kind of credentials. At that time NONE of the lesbian wiccas wanted to be "married" according to straight law, because they were part of an active counterculture in Seattle and disdained that Christian tradition. My wife's coven was alligned with gay men who called themselves "The Good Fairies" and claimed to be members of "The Queer Nation." When my wife's coven held its ceremonies the Good Fairies took part in them. They gathered the firewood and called it "fagot duty," and then they formed a protective circle around the cermony to guard it against intrusion.We once had her coven along with the Good Fairies over for a BBQ. I can tell you that the wiccas were a little rank and didn't shave their legs or under their arms. The Good Fairies were scrawny and surly and very aloof towards me. They probably didn't like the smell of my testosterone. Back then those gays didn't want to get "married" either according to striaght tradition. The whole thing for them was the counterculture, not the straight culture. And then things changed.Somewhere along the way the gays decided to claim their "civil rights" and demand equal access to straight culture. That's were I started to say: Hey, wait minute. First they don't want to be like the straights and then they do. Well, what DO they want, other than to bang on their closet door? That's why my liberal past and my libertarian present is not too sympathetic toward their demands for "gay marriage." Seems a little hypocritical to me.So go ahead and call me a bigot if you need to. But I'm not a bigot because I support cilvil unions for gays. I believe I have more experience than most of you in exploring and tolerating gay culture. I just don't see the need to overthrow tradition in this particlar case.”Hoot Mon

What are you smokin' up there in Canuckistan? Buffalo chips?

Well, now that's a relevant post.”Hoot

OK, maybe you're right. Maybe the gays have changed. Fine. But I still don't know why I should change my mind and support the "marriage" between same sexes. Marriage is between opposite sexes. Let the fairies do it their own way. Give them have whatever they want, but don't let them change the meaning of "marriage." Why? Because we don't need to if they have civil unions. That's my opinion, OK.(Lordie, Lordie, I tried to explain sincerely where I'm coming from and look at all the grief I got for it.)”Hoot Mon

Oh, please. I have a clearly stated my opinion that marriage is between opposite sexes. Gay "marriage" doesn't qualify. Why am I a bigot for holding that opinion? Is it just because it differs from yours? That strikes me as a bigoted attitude.”Hoot Mon

Oops. Admin, isn't that inflamatory?”Hoot

Ringo, that is positively ridiculous! You know it, too, because I know you are an intelligent person. I just happen to hold the opinion that marriage is for opposite sexes in order for them to start a family. That's all. Just why is my opinion so bigoted? What is bigoted about me if I support equal civil-union rights for gays? And please don't send me back to those water fountains again.”Hoot

What good does it do anyone to destroy it?”Hoot

That's NOT a fact. That is only an opinion.

Boys, boys. In the Land of Milk and Honey, just south of Canuckistan, the MAJORITY of people agree with me. Every poll show that. We are dealing with opinions here, not facts of civil equality. And your opinions are not going anywhere important soon, because your opinions are basically not biological.”hoot Mon

You're soooo cruel!

Yum! Cat food! Well that's only a matter of legislation. Why don't take it up with your local politicians. "Legally and socially recognized"? Isn't that the objective of civil unions?TD, nice try. But you need to listen more carefully to your seniors. We have walked many paths and seen strange things. Someday your children will tell you you're out of step, irrevelant, antiquated. Someday your breath will smell like catfood, too.”Hoot Mon