APARTHEID - a definition.

[LynneSin]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/apartheid

apartheid - 4 dictionary results
a⋅part⋅heid  /əˈpɑrtheɪt, -haɪt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation Show IPA
–noun
1. (in the Republic of South Africa) a rigid policy of segregation of the nonwhite population.
2. any system or practice that separates people according to race, caste, etc.


Is this what our country has come to? Sure, we're not forcing the gay community to live in a separate community but it seems our country has no problem forcing them to live different standards then what us straight people live.

[cali]

1. no. it's not what the country is coming to. we're making real strides

it's difficult to keep that in mind today, but it's true. From ENDA to the hate crimes legislation to Iowa, ME, VT and NH, things are improving. And CA's ban won't last either. Though it sure does give one pause about all those ballot measures.

[Enrique]

3. the cultural shift is hugh

I saw that poll showing how much support for gay marriage had increased since 2004 and I could hardly believe it.

[rurallib]

2. State marriage laws came into common practice after the civil war

Alabama was one of the first states to enact laws governing marriage. Need I explain why? Little has changed has it.

A goofy thought that goes through my mind is that there should be a constitutional amendment to get state and national governments out of the marriage business and to nullify any privileges that accrue to the state of being married. Not only is there no reason to discriminate against gays, but also single folk.

[LynneSin]

4. Shouldn't that come down to separation of Church & State?

I think a false argument that the right has tried to push on us that we would force the Chuches to marry gays even if the Church opposed it. However this couldn't be any further from the truth.

If I'm correct, a church is under no legal requirements to force them to marry anyone who demands to be wedded at their church. Many churches will only allow those who are members of their congregation to marry and even then a priest/pastor can refuse for a host of reasons. Of course irony would be that anyone is gay and wants to marry would probably not want to do it in a church with such closed minds and open hostilities. There are plenty of churches out there that welcome gay marriages and if not there is always the justice of the peace.