General Chat

Thanks, AnnC I did realise that it concerned you more than me, but the way the thread had developed it seems that those who were concerned were being called all sorts of things.

And you never came in to defend anyone against those charges. That is your prerogative, I know. :-D

I made my feelings clear in the opening post - granted they are not strong views, just said I am not comfortable with it - but who am I to tell others what they can and can't do - to each his own - the new legislation doesn't affect me in any way and I am sure it has made many people very happy indeed and that is a good thing

What people get up to between themselves doesn't bother me so long as it does not cause harm or offense to others.
What I DO object to is the re-definition of words that have had generally accepted meanings for centuries.
"Gay" has usually meant happy or brightly coloured.
"Marriage" has meant a legal union of opposite sexes.
I am reminded of "1984" where the word "Firemen" has been inverted from those who extinguish fires to those who burn books.
A marriage does not have legal force until it has been consumated, whereas a Civil Partnership confers the same legal rights without that. It should be interesting to see the first same sex divorce case on those grounds. Lawyers stand to make a fortune!
But if same sex relationships are now legal, should terms like sodomy and buggery be expunged from the dictionary?

"Same sex marriage. Anyone have any views on this? I'm not at all comfortable with it to be perfectly honest - just does not seem right in any whichway"

This was OP. Out of first few posters, none of us was particularly concerned for different reasons.

I cannot see that you have expanded on your views, AnnC. You seem to have a very different view to some of us, but not sure I understand what you personally think about this gay marriage legislation. :-S

John I am not challenging anyone with opinions on gay marriage, everyone has an opinion and reasons for thinking thus . I AM perfectly willing to challenge anyone who is basing those views on untruths, ill informed 'gossip', lack of adequate knowledge, frankly irrational fears, or generalisations of a whole sector of people, based on passing encounters with a few 'examples'.

I never meant to suggest that anyone should search, unless they think I am talking rubbish.

I see some things on internet (when I am searching for something entirely different) that make me sick. And, if I can see these images so easily, so can 10 year old children.

When I was 10 nearly 60 years ago, it was considered naughty to look at ladies in bikinis in Reveille.

MAY be depraved!!!!!!!! it bloody well is depraved - end of - and why on earth would I want to search the internet to find such stuff?

Phyll, I think you had the right to express your view.

After all the verbal &/or physical abuse that the majority of gays are subjected to throughout their lives, I doubt that any would bat an eyelid at your comments.

It would be a pity if posters felt too intimidated to give their opinions. (Keeping within the guidelines, of course).

With so many things to make us sad, angry or just plain peeved, I'm genuinely interested to know why two people of the same sex chosing to get married could possibly bother anyone.

In my judgment, nobody has been homophobic or racist or unreasonable in this debate. If Phyll had been reported, not sure how it would have been reviewed.

When SueC put that thread up about the Welsh Archdruid, there were hugely polarised opinions. And I did want to press the racist button once or twice. But I just think we need to be open-minded and realise that we all have different opinions. And different values and experiences. And as long as we don't break T & C's or the law of the land by abusing in a racial or homophobic way, then we can get on and learn.

My you have gone off the Original posting headline. It seems to me that most of you don't have any strong views, where in fact you do.

As a full blooded Englishman, I am agaist any same sex relationships. and had been so all my 75 years.

Actually nobody has the right to make racist or homophobic comments...just sayin'

Ok Ok I have deleted my views, didn't mean to cause offence , just had to get my thoughts of my chest. I can't help how I feel.

JohnLovesCocoa Report 7 Feb 2013 10:13

Yes, DET. I am not opposed to gay couples using the word "marriage" for a civil ceremony in exactly the same way that heterosexuals have been able to get married in a civil non-religious ceremony since 1836.

That is equal rights, equitable etc. Religious bodies and religious people will all have their individual opinions about whether it is right to have a sexual union between same sex couples. My attitude is that, even if that was a wrong act, I can ignore it unless it is in my face. And I don't tend to peep through curtains at night and assume "sisters" don't act like good sisters.

And once equal rights for homosexuals was established in law, there can be no turning back. I just think most religious people of many denominations can see clearly what the old books we live by say on these matters. And it makes us all exceedingly cautious and conservative.

make you mind up John.

No strong thoughts on same sex marriage, Paula+

On the basis that the word "Marriage" is just that (a word for a legal union) and we had an inequality since 1836 between Homosexual partnership contracts and heterosexual contracts. I have no strong feelings about the OP.

The debate has moved on, and there are now challenges on thread to anyone not 100% happy with gay marriage. They are called homophobic. Or a Nazi!!! Very joined up debate about people' genuine worries about this legislation - NOT.

Phyll, being gay is not a fashion trend FGS.

Do you know any gay people? Have you met gays who were scared to tell their families because they feared rejection and isolation? Gay people who have wrestled for years trying to conform for the sake of their partners and children? When they knew their life was a lie and they loathed themselves for the deceit.

Young gay lads being beaten up, chucked out by their parents?

I do, all of the above. In my view some have stories that would break your heart. Why. They are trying to fight the prejudice still rampant in society and they are, IMO, damn courageous.

John I am getting rather confused with your comments. Your post on 5 Feb @ 13. 52 said "No strong thoughts"
:-S :-S :-S

I think Phyll has every right to express her feelings whether some of us like it or not.
I would like to make a comment but I might get whooshed.

RR/John - to put your minds at rest GeordiePride is all MALE from the top of his head to the tip of his toes. Unfortunately I don't know how to prove it to you.

Dermot - You have a wonderful taste in women but I saw her first.

GP

AnnC It may be depraved to marry or have sex with animals. But you don't have to search the internet for long to find such practices. And many 10 year olds can access such videos if they want.

Don't snipe at the messenger just cos you don't like him or her. We are on a very fast and slippery slope. But at least Cameron is in the front of the bobsleigh steering so we can all be confident (being sarcastic here) we are going in the right direction (consider your OP and your personal misgivings about the subject of this thread)

Original quote from Roger Gales’ contribution to the HoC debate

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21343387

His rebuttal of the accusations that he was condoning Incest.

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentish_gazette/news/2013/february/5/roger_gale_incest.aspx