June 25, 2011

Gay marriage rights in New York State

New York State has passed gay marriage rights.  This is a good thing as it a concept about freedom, which Americans hold dear, but who do not sometimes embrace. Freedom somehow all gets wrapped up in religion. 

It is time for a change. According to the latest American census, there are 42,000 same-sex couples living in New York State. If they want to get married, (and some won't), let them. 

Hanging gays in the Middle East
I am a Canadian. Gay marriage was approved in numerous provincial jurisdictions in 2003. And then the Canadian Prime Minister who was in power at the time, Paul Martin, said "You can't cherry pick human rights." In 2005, gay marriage was allowed nation wide in Canada. 

And in these 6 years since then, nothing happened - the world did not fall apart. It was a non-event. 

The institution of marriage between a man and a woman remains as it always did - viable for those who want it and viable for those who want to make it work. Gay marriage has had no impact in Canada, other than for those gay couples who want to be married. 

Let's hope that America can get over the religious extremism and the conservatism and get with the program of extending basic rights to everyone. 

God help all who struggle for basic human rights. Help us all, Father.

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