I want your opinion.

I don't know about you, but the topic of gay marriage is one that will resonate for all eternity. For it or against it, it's here - staring us all in the face.
There are (as we're all completely aware of) millions of different points of views about not only the marriage portion, but about being gay in general.

My personal opinion is that having the word "marriage" attached to what they're really looking for has caused more problems than ever should have arisen. What people don't understand is that it's not JUST a matter of a title... because honestly, in this day and age, we're all hard pressed to find anyone who holds that title to any high regard. They (more collective than specific) may say they do, but the divorce rate begs to differ.

Even just being able to have the benefits of a "civil union" would be sufficient enough for the important things. Allow me to make an example of Ellen Degeneres and Portia De Rossi. (Now, heaven forbid this happens.. but...) Let's pretend they didn't get married, but that they've been together for a LONG time. They grow old together.. they raise children together... and Ellen ends up in the hospital on her death bed. Portia can't go in to see Ellen because they're not immediate family. Ellen dies and her parents decide that they want everything that had Ellen's name on it because it's rightfully theirs. Portia can't do anything about it.. regardless of the fact that she built a life with Ellen, because there are no legal ties. How is any of that fair?

Here's a different perspective... a man and a woman are together under the same circumstances - "common law marriage". Either partner ends up on their death bed... the living partner has no rights just the same as if it were a man/man or woman/woman. Which do you think would raise a bigger outcry for equality? The gay couple or the straight couple? They're both in the same boat... but which would honestly get more POSITIVE attention and probably end up being sorted out for the benefit of the living partner?
Granted, in SOME states, common law marriage does have the same benefits as a legally binding marriage.. but not all. And I know now that a few states have decided to accept/allow gay marriage.. but what about the states that don't offer either??

I understand that the bible says that homosexuality is a sin. It is not just frowned upon, but it is a completely 100% valid reason to send someone to hell. However, those who are fighting for the bible's teachings to be upheld in a court of law... might I direct your attention to the First Amendment? "Separation of Church and State". Marriage has come a long way from being a Church event. There are non-denominational weddings... there are spiritual weddings.. there are many different types that have nothing to do with Christian/Catholic/Lutheran/whatever religions. The biggest obstacle that stands before the legal acception of gay marriage is... RELIGION.

I am a firm believer that whatever religion you pick for yourself is what's right for YOU. Not what's right for anyone else. My sweet, beautiful, amazing mother is a Christian. My Aunt and her family are Catholic. I grew up Christian but now I am more spiritual - non-religious... I do not belong to an "organized religion" sect. And none of us have any problem with the other's religion. It is what it is. I have friends that are Muslim. I have friends that are Mormon. I have friends that believe in voo-doo. It doesn't matter to me because that's what works for them. There is no "right" religion. There is no "perfect" religion. Everything and everyone has it's flaws.. Even my chosen religion has it's flaws. To say something on earth is perfect is to deny "God". So before any religious people try to tell me that their religion is perfect, please consider the wars that occur from said religions, and the fact that interpretations of religious laws were done by man.. and to say that man is perfect or can do/create anything perfect is to add insult to injury. Religious war is a completely different tirade that I'll cover in another novel.

So why are flawed religions the final decision on a political matter? I thought we were supposed to have this separation of church and state? Churches don't want politics invading their space, right? So.. what makes it ok for the Church to invade politics?

Another point about gay marriage that has been brought up outside of religion... some people seem to think it is a choice to be gay. You don't choose to feel a certain way about someone. For those who can't grasp that, think of it this way... have you ever met anyone and you immediately knew that you liked them. For some reason... you just liked them. Maybe not even in a sexual type of way... even just a friendship. You can't explain why you're attracted to that person, but you just are. You can't help it, can you? Even if you try not to like them, you just can't.

That's kinda what it's like. It's a chemical build... it is a scientific fact that gay men have higher levels of estrogen and gay women have higher levels of testosterone. Even if it doesn't show physically... they do. Their brains are wired that way... their chemical build is that way... it's just how it is and no amount of "therapy" or "training" will ever change that. You cannot help how you feel about someone.
In my book, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being gay.

My Christian mother said to me just today, "I believe that what the bible says is true. But... I feel that if you're gay, you're gay. That's just how it is. You can be gay and not practice homosexual sex." That is entirely true. But... not necessarily right. Just because two people have sex.. whatever gender they may be... does not constitute going to "hell". What if they believe that Jesus died for their sins, they attend church every Sunday.. they go to fellowship.. they're involved with the church on a personal level and do everything they can to help spread the word of God.. they give their entire lives to God and devote their thoughts, time, money, and heart to serving Him... but they're gay. Does that make them any less Christian than the straight person standing next to them doing the exact same thing? Just because they have urges and thoughts and feelings that are different from what you feel, does that make them a bad person - undeserving of the same rights and same love that you experience? Marriage is a legally binding contract. That's all it is. It is an agreement to be emotionally, physically and financially tied your partner.

Now I don't know about you, but the 300 couples that got married today have absolutely no effect on my life whatsoever. The gay guy that hooked up with a hottie last night at a random bar in Baltimore has no effect on me. The lesbian couple that just bought each other devotion rings has no effect on me. And guess what, it has no effect on you either. They're not looking to shove their sexuality down your throat. They're not looking to wave it in your face. They're not in it for anyone but themselves.
If you can tell me how that affects you and have it be legitimate - i.e. NOT a religious outburst or attack... please, let me know. Because as I see it right now... there's nothing wrong with two people of any race, gender, or whatever else agreeing to be legally bound to one another.