DeWine urged to ax ban on gay marriage

[Algorem]

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060413/NEWS09/604130432/-1/NEWS

Article published Thursday, April 13, 2006

A local organization that advocates equality for gay and lesbians yesterday urged U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine (R., Ohio) to withdraw his sponsorship from a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

Kim Welter, executive director of Equality Toledo, said she was saddened and disappointed to learn that the senator stepped into the same-sex marriage debate by co-sponsoring the amendment.

She said passage of the amendment would deny gay and lesbian couples and their children the opportunity to receive the same privileges and protections afforded to heterosexual couples.

"Before you continue down this discriminatory path, we simply ask that you sit down with gay and lesbian families in Toledo and northwest Ohio and hear our stories," Ms. Welter said...

[terrya]

1. His state already has a constitutional amendment banning equal marriage.

I'm simply...flabbergasted, still, that anyone would support an amendment to the Constitution of the United States that would, for the first time, take away the rights of a group of Americans. And to do so knowing that the state you represent already HAS such an amendment to its constitution...why?

It would be nice if Senator DeWine met with those gay and lesbian couples. Because, instead of seeing them as some "threat" to be dealt with vis a vis a constitutional amendment, he would see that they're families...who only want the same rights and benefits as his family and millions of other families in this country...enjoy. Maybe he might learn something.

[Kutjara]

2. A fine sentiment but I doubt it would make any difference.

This is clearly a man of overwhelming ignorance. His medieval beliefs cloud his vision and everthing he thinks is twisted through the prism of Scripture. For him, the dry words on the page of a 2,000 year old book outweigh the needs of living-breathing people every time.

If he told the truth, he'd no doubt say that, by not doing everything he can to battle 'perversion,' he would be endangering his own chances of getting into Heaven. Whenever some 'Christian' tells you they're on a mission to save souls, you can rest assured that the first soul on the list is their own.

[sui generis]

6. no he sees gays as a political opportunity

there are more fundies who wouldn't vote for him if he supports gays than gays who WILL vote for him if he supports gays, so it's simple math for him. He's not interested in our petty little civil rights issues, he's just interested in staying elected.

It's all about the campaign dollars and votes, you know, "nothing personal".

In politics we're not really fighting bigotry so much as we're fighting unscrupulous political leadership.

That's why it's so important that our own leadership is effective and committed.

People follow strong leaders, and if leaders lead away from bigotry that's where those votes will follow.

[xchrom]

3. i certainly appreciate ms welter's comments and sentiments

but gay people need to understand that repukes could sit down with us every day of the week -- week in week out, month in and month out, year in and year out -- and they will never, ever be on our side.

they have made common cause with irrational lunatics -- i don't care how many pages of the bible they wrap their hatred in, hate is what it is.

if we build this society on irrational, backwards thinking then we will get irrational, backwards results.

we are past the time for middle grounds on issues like these -- gay rights, reproductive rights, womens issues, and on and on.

[marmar]

4. "past the time for middle grounds on issues like these"

"Amen" from the amen corner!

[xchrom]

5. gotta hang together and hang tough on issues like these.

[cboy4]

7. I have a friend who is a Log Cabin and I tell him everything you

just mentioned and he still doesn't get it.

In fact, I nicknamed him "advil" because that's what I seemingly always have to take whenever we discuss politics!! :eyes:

[xchrom]

8. sadly, he is a repuke.

and while a friend he might be personally -- he is also the adversary.

perhaps other topics for conversation?

i don't know, he's a friend -- conduct yourself and your friendships as you see fit -- you seem just fine

[cboy4]

9. Thanks. Yea, whenever he starts bitching about gay prejudices, I always

end up reminding him that he's an idiot for being a repuke and believing they really have a "big tent" of welcoming views.

Ummm, yea sure they do buddy :eyes:

We obviously talk about other stuff. I just don't know if I feel more ticked off or sad for him that he's this gullible.