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SOUND OFF! What do you think about gay marriage laws being proposed in Rhode Island?

John Eagan

Story Created: May 7, 2008 at 10:44 AM EDT

Story Updated: May 8, 2008 at 2:27 PM EDT

     The divisive debate over gay marriage has recently taken center stage at the Rhode Island State House.
     Lawmakers are talking about several proposed changes to state law.
     They range from a bill that would allow gay couples to marry, to a constitutional amendment that would do just the opposite, defining marriage as between one man and one woman.
     This comes on the same day that supporters of traditional marriage are launching a radio ad campaign in Southern New England.
     So what do you think about this issue?

ABC 6 Robert Goulston is in the middle of this hot-button debate...

View Oldest Comments First

3:51 PM Tony from Pawtucket wrote ...

History repeats itself. We're going to laugh 20 yrs from now. Why? Because in most European countries same sex marriage will pass by 2012 or so and we, RI, will be one of the last ones to pass it. Come to think of it, even catholic bastion countries like Spain and Italy have passed or will pass it in the near future!

1:16 PM Nancy Kirsch, Providence wrote ...

Some 40 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a black woman and a white man were entitled to marry in Virginia. This issue is no different - loving, committed couples who wish to assume all the responsibilities that our laws impose upon married couples should be allowed to do so. I'd be delighted for our General Assembly to pass equal marriage legislation so that, indeed, they can address the pressing questions of taxes, education, the budget deficit, etc.

Monday, May 12 at 12:23 AM Pamela A. Brightman wrote ...

I feel that the marriage laws in R.I. should be inclusive. I believe that 2 consenting loving and committed adults should have equal access to marriage regardless of gender. Yes, Gay marriage should be allowed. People who are Gay are no less human than anyone else. Pamela Ann Brightman Warwick

Saturday, May 10 at 4:46 PM Connie, Kansas wrote ...

Marriage is not a right any more than driving is. Not everyone can do either. There are standards. For everyone who believes that only church-sanctioned marriages are legal, remember that it is GOD who ordained marriage, not the church and not the state. Even those who perform the marriages must be qualified to do so. Marriage between males and females are recognized in cultures that have never heard of the bible, so it is not a "bible thing." Even animals make this distinction.

Saturday, May 10 at 3:46 PM Shannon West Warwick wrote ...

Of course RI should allow for same sex marriages. The sky didn't fall in Mass because of same sex marriage. Heterosexual marriages didn't fail in Mass because of same sex marriage. The arguments against this fundamental right, are full of fear. However, if these, obviously scared people against this right had a child, or sibling who wanted to enter into a same sex marriage, I am sure their minds would change in an instant. The fact that we are so close to Mass, yet so far behind, embarasses me.

Saturday, May 10 at 9:28 AM Jerry W. in Smithfield wrote ...

The Anti-gay marriage arguments are grouded in hate and greed. Nothing more and nothing less. The religous arguments are merely a shield for bigotry and ALWAYS ignore the second commandment of Jesus where he spoke "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself"—Matthew 19:19

Saturday, May 10 at 12:04 AM Tony Pelliccio aka truthspew.wordpress.com wrote ...

Maggie Gallagher, oh that woman really made me mad. Full marriage equality is what I'm after here, and I think we should switch from strategic to tactical and go after Speaker Murphy, the main obstacle.

Friday, May 9 at 10:22 PM George flonnes wrote ...

50 milliom dead 40 million infected No cure for AID-HIV in sight, AID-HIV on a sharp rise in the U.S. why is the State of R.I. promoting this life style. Check with the health department on the number of dead in the past 5 yrs.

Friday, May 9 at 8:27 PM G B wrote ...

C Thomas in NP wrote ... When someone points out to me how same sex marriage hurts someone then maybe i'll listen. C Thomas hasn't been paying attention. Reese in Cranston wrote ... there should be equality under the law. Reese, I submit that there is equality. I can marry within limits - so can anyone _ANYONE_ else. I am limited in who I can marry, so is everyone else. Its not about equality - its about special privilege. Its part of a move to normalize homosexuality in society's eyes.

Friday, May 9 at 1:03 PM Michael wrote ...

I watched the testimony on Wednesday. I am saddened by, and compassionate toward, the consistent yet clearly dysfunctional stories of those who stood in favor of gay marriage. However, their child hood or adult unhealthiness should not be the premise on which we rock the foundation of family life. Yes, our traditional families may be dysfunctional, too. Let’s try to fix them, not worsen the problem by normalizing the pain. More supporters of traditional marrige should see what i saw.

Thursday, May 8 at 2:15 PM christee from ma wrote ...

my opinion. i think gay marriage is wrong. but if you truly love each other and pple from a diff race can date each other legally, then gay pple should be able to also. christee from ma

Thursday, May 8 at 11:33 AM michelle wrote ...

I agree with Rich , give this vote to the people i highly doubt it would pass if some one wants to have a marrige blessed under the eyes of god then they should get married in the church. on the other hand if some one wants to get married for the state and country to recognize them as a couple that would be civil union not marrige but legal by the goverment let god bless marrige not civil union there is a great differance

Thursday, May 8 at 10:03 AM joe roque wrote ...

Isnt there a deficit to worry about? Why are our elected officials wasting time and resources on this matter when in the end, very few people care? I would rather not have gay marriage in r.i. but then again there is more bad then good here anyway.

Thursday, May 8 at 9:39 AM C Thomas in NP wrote ...

When someone points out to me how same sex marriage hurts someone then maybe i'll listen. Remember marriage as we already know it has lots of problems. if two people love each other that is all that should matter

Thursday, May 8 at 5:34 AM Debbie Richmond, RI wrote ...

A comitted couple who love each other, that is the only issue. They want to take care of each other the same as anyone else. Let them.

Thursday, May 8 at 12:03 AM jo wrote ...

Let people choose who they want to be with.

Wednesday, May 7 at 10:10 PM P.Adams, Providence RI wrote ...

The short of it: Marriage has forever been the exclusive within the priview of the "Church". The "State" has reserved the right (Under the guise of protecting the public health) to issue / deny a marriage "License". Civil unions are performed by Justices of the Peace, Court Judges and ship's captains but Marriages are performed in a church; under the eyes of the lord. This appears to fall under the seperation of church / state argument. One augument the state should stay out of.

Wednesday, May 7 at 9:45 PM John in Providence wrote ...

Hey BILL...read your statement again...what is the real problem in Massachusetts then? The fear of litigation...lawyers. THAT system, not gays getting married. If these places are shutting down, it must mean there is an abundance of willing couples wanting to adopt. That's something special. Don't cheapen it.

Wednesday, May 7 at 9:25 PM Nina wrote ...

As we know, many countries are forbidding the same-sex marriage. However, I think it's really great. I have a friend getting married with the same sex under the help of the site BiLoves.com. And they live happily and wonderfully.

Wednesday, May 7 at 7:11 PM Bill wrote ...

If you choose to deny the moral implications, try the social implications of allowing such. Look at what has happened in Mass. as a result: adoption agencies close because they can't condone a child placed in such a setting. They can't risk the litigation that would ensue. So orphans don't get a home at all, because of the selfish desires of vocal minority. Think along those lines and consider the further crumbling of the fabric of society.

Wednesday, May 7 at 4:56 PM Reese in Cranston wrote ...

Gay people pay taxes like everyone else and should have the same rights as everyone else. Churches can do what they want, but this is a legal issue and there should be equality under the law.

Wednesday, May 7 at 4:04 PM James in Pawtucket wrote ...

If one more person says to me that same sex marriage is wrong because the Bible says so, I'm going to scream! There is plenty of slavery going on in the Bible too, so we should definitely bring slavery back, no?

Wednesday, May 7 at 1:27 PM rich north providence wrote ...

One Man One Woman- that is the way God intended it. Any other combination is wrong and the state should not sanction it. Why has EVERY state the has voted on this issue lost? even the most liberal state of California? If the people of Rhode Island vote on this issue it will lose here also. Put it to the people and see what they think.

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