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Thousands march for gay rights in Japan's first 'Rainbow Week'

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Good luck to them all.

4 ( +12 / -8 )

Its about time...fabulous!...

4 ( +11 / -7 )

Gay marriage has no legal standing in Japan despite growing legal recognition elsewhere in the world.

More generally, LGB individuals have no presence whatsoever in Japanese law (transgendered individuals have been singled out for certain rights and protections, their condition having been officially recognized as a "disease"), the government insisting, as usual, that the broad terms of the constitution with regards to human rights are sufficient protection.

That, and the restrictive provisions of the family registry system, are why same sex marriage will never get off the ground here as a social issue.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

From watching JTV I thought it wasn't a problem in JPN

6 ( +7 / -2 )

Me and my girlfriend were there ^.^ It was great!

7 ( +14 / -7 )

As they get more organized, you might be surprised how much they will accomplish. It too a could of generations to do what has been accomplished in the United States and the younger generation will not view gay people as their elders did. In turn their children will think it is all much the same and will wonder what all the ruckus was about. By the way they might want to get George Takei of Star Wars fame for some ideas.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

12,000 people who identify themselves by their sexual practices. Should have been some afterparty.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

My friends were there, and said it was an excellent event. Would have liked to have gone myself.

More power to them all. Great stuff!

1 ( +6 / -5 )

I wonder why the photo here of the couple about to kiss is of two women and not two men...

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

I don't really have an impression of Japan as being a very homophobic place. Yeah, ppl aren't "out" the way they are in some other countries, but they also aren't out about their golf hobby or their singing. They don't talk about anything private at work. I can't tell you how many times I have learned that someone (relatively) "close" to me let us know they got married after the fact, and I didn't even know they were dating someone until then. The hidden homosexuality has to be taken in context of a very private and shy culture/country. I've never heard of anyone getting beaten up for being gay and never heard a gay joke.

That said, good luck getting marriage rights.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

I've never heard of anyone getting beaten up for being gay and never heard a gay joke.

Believe me, it happens. And not just in the "Dude, that's so gay" context.

I've even seen anime episodes (popular kids shows) where the fight scenes include characters screaming things like "Kono okama yaroooooo!!"

But the lack of the kind of blatant homophobia seen in other countries doesn't change the fact that LGBT couples are denied equal treatment under the law when it comes to the essentials of a stable life, including employment (companies generally face no legal penalties for firing workers based on sexual orientation), inheritance, insurance, and housing (many landlords will not rent to same-sex couples, especially men, though this has gotten somewhat better in Tokyo).

The general preference for privacy in the workplace and elsewhere means that these issues gain no traction because no one wants to be the one to speak out. To put it more strongly, the LGBT community here is largely complicit in its own social and legal subjugation. If you were to take a survey, though, I'd think you'd find that most of that community is satisfied with the status quo and doesn't see a need to participate in any call for change.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

edbardoe wrote: "12,000 people who identify themselves by their sexual practices. Should have been some afterparty."

By that childish and flawed line of reasoning, any organization that excludes gay members (think Southern Baptists) must be a non-stop man-on-woman sexfest. Gay people identify themselves by way more than their sexual practices.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

LowlyApr. 29, 2013 - 10:10AM JST I don't really have an impression of Japan as being a very homophobic place.

Thats how it is with LGBTs in Japan right now. Act too camp and you'll find yourself out of a job. If a gay club becomes too popular the police swoop in and close it down. Try open a gay club in a non-gay area and you'll be consistently denied permission. Nobody minds gays in Japan... provided that they "behave themselves", keep to their own areas and are essentially invisible.

Of course comparisons only go so far. Japan's culture and attitudes towards sex and sexuality are very different from Western countries. There are other issues unique to Japan, like parents saying, "Yes, yes, you're gay... as long as you have plenty of grandkids I don't care.". Trying to see Japanese LGBT culture through a Western lens always ends up with a completely distorted image where you simply don't see most of the abuses and discrimination.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

I've got a good friend here who's gay and he said that you'd be surprised at how many of his students are gay but married with children because of the social pressure and expectations to do so rather than to live their lives out and honestly, as they'd prefer. They live in fear that they'll get found out and bullied out of their jobs, will lose their kids, be ostracized by their families and so on. When is the last time you saw a fair and honest depiction of a homosexual person in the media; one that was not playing up to stereotypes and acting like a ridiculous clown? Who took Ishihara to task for his homophobic comments? How many openly gay public figures are there that you know of? So, no the homophobia here may not be violent and aggressive but it certainly exists. I'm certainly not saying it would be better to beat people up for being gay but the subtle homophobia can be worse - in some ways - because it can be harder to fight than the more blatant kind.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

I don't really have an impression of Japan as being a very homophobic place.

Just because it isn't in the open doesn't mean it isn't there.

Yeah, ppl aren't "out" the way they are in some other countries, but they also aren't out about their golf hobby or their singing.

So you equal homosexuality with their golf game or karaoke? Wow, I can not believe I just read that.

They don't talk about anything private at work. I can't tell you how many times I have learned that someone (relatively) "close" to me let us know they got married after the fact, and I didn't even know they were dating someone until then.

This is not the rule, and there are reasons for many people not saying anything about getting married as well, particularly women at work. The list of reasons is too long to post here. However just because they don't share with you doesn't mean that they aren't sharing with others.

The hidden homosexuality has to be taken in context of a very private and shy culture/country.

Sorry but it seems to me you have a rather shallow view and knowledge about the gay community in Japan and how badly many are ostracized by their families. It's covert, and many parents refuse to acknowledge that their child may be homosexual.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I'm glad to see Japan is starting to get with the times, but there's still a long way to go (and in other nations too, of course). Being gay is not a fashion statement, it's who you are, and people should not be ashamed but celebrate it, as they are with this parade. Good luck and happiness to them all.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Wow, I can not believe I just read that.

Well, too bad you didn't read the next line where I also compared it to straight couples keeping their relationships secret. I'm trying to make a point about a lot of things in Japan that might be openly talked about in other countries are regularly kept secret here for various reasons, not belittle sexual preference.

Oh, sorry, you did read that because you quoted me on it. But you ignored the overall secret culture and you just went on to say "just cuz they didn't tell you doesn't mean they didn't tell someone else".,, Well, duh, that was the whole point of putting it in a work context. Obviously it's about distance, ppl tell those who are related to the "context" (of dating, being gay) not to other contexts (work, a friend from the dojo).

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Why "Rainbow?"

0 ( +1 / -1 )

frungy and stephen,

Please remember, I said,

I don't really have an impression of Japan as being a very homophobic place.

, I didn't say there wasn't any. Big difference.

Stephen, I haven't seen sucha manga, but I would have to see it and make my own judgement b/c a lot of manga is just... manga. Working for years in schools and seeing kids interacting with each other, I see zero of the macho crap that was even in my own "liberal" high school, with guys under pressure to squelch any kind of "feminine" behavior from their being, and never contact another boy via skin unless it is pushing or blocking in a basketball game. Regular straight boys in jr hs and hs here grab ea others' arms, give piggy back rides and laugh and play , like kids, without self-consciousness, preconceptions or judgements. Effeminate boys are as likely to have friends and be popular as they are to be shunted aside and disliked, meaning to me that their effeminateness is not the issue/reason. It is almost expected that many girls will go thru an inexplicable longing or adoration for a sempai (girl) that has clear romantic overtones. To me it is just not comparable to attitudes in the US.

And, frungy, your "act too camp" reasoning, you could really put "act too (anything) and..." in there. This country has severe rules about behavior, especially behavior as relates to "place" or relationship. You really have to act a certain way in certain settings "or else" here. Good or bad, you know you certainly cannot act "too gaijin" or you will be completely ostracized. Again, in this case too, I cannot see it as LGBT-sexism, just intractability about a lot of things. There are a lot of times I wish jpns would just "lighten up" and permit a wider variety of behavior and interactions, even tho I can at times recognize the value of a certain conservatism. But again, I don't see it as directed at LGBT as a target kind of thing. The way it is in other countries.

(Furhter, quite a few of my gay friends really do not like the whole acting camp thing, and consider ppl going out of their way to act queen-y to be immature attn seekers. But maybe that's another topic.)

Again, guys, not saying there is none, just that it is a way way different situation from discrimination in the West. IMO. (And fwiw, I believe most of my gay friends here, foreign and otherwise, would agree.)

1 ( +2 / -1 )

All the best to them - all law-abiding adult citizens deserve the same legal and social rights. However, I sadly doubt all these 12,000 folk will see equality in their lifetimes. Japan - and much of asia to be fair - usually takes a few decades to follow the lead of western democracies in social issues - ie womens voting rights, the right to divorce, adoptions, organ transplants, etc. Prove us wrong, japanese pollies!

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Gay people identify themselves by way more than their sexual practices.

So they exclude others? How ironic.

-5 ( +3 / -7 )

Devil's assistant: "Why "Rainbow?""

Why not?

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Act too camp and you'll find yourself out of a job. If a gay club becomes too popular the police swoop in and close it down. Try open a gay club in a non-gay area and you'll be consistently denied permission.

Is that all hearsay or are there any documented cases? I wonder what "acting too camp" entails. For example, if you are working in an office, why would anyone feel the need to act too camp? If you open a club in Japan, do you have to designate the sexual orientation of its prospective clientele?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

But you ignored the overall secret culture

No I didn't, I just told you that it may be you. There is no "secret culture" here. People are just not open to talking about may things with others, it depends totally upon who, that's all.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

@ Christopher Blackwell said: By the way they might want to get George Takei of Star Wars fame for some ideas.

George Takei was in Star Wars???? Oh, that's right, he played Princess Leia. LOL.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

George Takai of Star TREK......whatever, he is a great spokesperson for the movement.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I have been with my japanese partner for 8 year and we have never experienced "discrimination" in the loud, vocal way you hear about in western countries - it is more subtle - such as beig refused an apartment to rent together because w are both guys. That being said his family are extremely supportive but I have friends who's parents have threatened to take them to see a doctor to cure their "illness". I know so many gay men who are married with families - such a sad life to live.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

yubaru-

No I didn't, I just told you that it may be you. There is no "secret culture" here. People are just not open to talking about may things with others, it depends totally upon who, that's all.

Thank you, that is exactly what I was trying to say in my very first post. And my second one. I'm really glad you finally got what I was trying to say. Sorry if you didn't like the term "secret culture" but my whole point is ppl don't go about telling ppl their business the way they do in other countries. The golf example was just an example of that. I also compared straight ppl getting married w/o telling anyone to that. (But you didn't call me on belittling them, did you?) That is why I don't see it as such a big homophobic thing, just ppl being closed-lipped as they are about other things. You keep paying attention to what ppl are trying to write, and you will be able to understand them.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@<<makikata, try harder. Some gay men are very happily married with an opposite sex they are not sexually attracted,too. Social obligation is a kind of happiness, you know.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

What is so disturbing is that the cries of the sane are being drowned by the howls of the insane so called gay right supporters who aren't even gay themselves.

I think this is the kind of viewpoint that people in 10-15 years time from now will look at and split their sides laughing because it is so homophobic. It borders on comedy, and I'm just wondering if someone posted it for a laugh. Thankfully the human race moves on, and Women are slowly (too slowly) getting equal rights, racial minorities are getting equal rights, and LBGT are also getting equal rights. Everything is too slow tbh, but due to the narrow minded but vocal minority. If that minority doesn't change, they'll soon become irrelevant thankfully!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

This kind of news brings me hope, being born inter-sex and in the middle of transitioning(While also being lesbian), I have always feared that I wouldn't be welcome in Japan. Glad to see times are changing for the better.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@TheDevilsAssistant

Rainbow is a symbol of variety because it has various colours.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Considering the amount of openly gay, cross dressing, transsexual, transvestite people that appear in public life, I would say Japan is a very sexual-persuasion-tolerant place. And it's been like this for quite a fair time now. A few more lesbians would be good to balance the whole thing out and take it out of the "ooh, aren't they funny and outrageous" realm though.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Alleluia. This only proves my conclusion that Japan's natural course is that of self-improvement. Sure, it still has a whole lot to do when it comes to gender equality, the burakumin, LGBT Rights and Immigrants Rights (and the rights of the Immigrant's offspring). But I believe that Japan is a nation of Self-Improvement, and it shall be done, years or a few decades from now. Hopefully soon though.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@tulex05 - 5 - try harder. Some gay men are very happily married with an opposite sex they are not sexually attracted,too. Social obligation is a kind of happiness, you know.

I do not know one gay man who is happily married to a woman, "social obligation" sounds more like a pressure than a happiness, or some kind of torture!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The Rainbow symbolizes inclusion & equal rights. Good for them!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@stuarto as long as they are a "funny " Talento it is ok, it is on the TV and they don't have to deal with it in real live.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

OK, so what are the upcoming events for the rest of Rainbow Week? (The posters I saw Sunday, only mentioned Sunday.)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Marriage, by nature, is a personal matter. But marriage is profoundly a social matter as well. By marriage society is assured of its perpetuation and prosperity because posterity is born from married couples. That's why in any society in the world marriage or wedding is celebrated as a big social event.

Of course that applies only to a heterosexual marriage and not to a homosexual one. The latter should therefore be confined to a personal world. Issuing legal licenses to homosexual couples is out of question.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

voiceofokinawa: By marriage society is assured of its perpetuation and prosperity because posterity is born from married couples. Of course that applies only to a heterosexual marriage and not to a homosexual one. The latter should therefore be confined to a personal world. Issuing legal licenses to homosexual couples is out of question.......

No, society is assured of its perpetuation by sperm and ovum meeting, the sperm penetrating the ovum, fertilization occurring, the zygote multiplying again and again, the blastocyst reaching the uterine lining, implantation occurring and pregnancy going to a healthy term. That is exactly how society insures its perpetuation and posterity. One need not be married, straight or even with a partner for that to happen. It's simply basic biology.

Prosperity is a whole other matter but neither is that tied to marriage.

Marriage is a social and legal contract, the terms of which have differed greatly over time and differ now from place to place. Just because one pattern has been the norm in one place does not mean it cannot change. "Marriage licenses from their inception have sought to establish certain prohibitions on the institution of marriage. These prohibitions have changed throughout history. In the 1920s, they were used by 38 states to prohibit whites from marrying blacks, mulattos, Japanese, Chinese, Indians, Mongolians, Malays or Filipinos without a state approved license."

Again marriage is essentially a social and legal contract and as society and laws have changed so have and so should the terms of that contract. If you believe in a god, then perhaps for you it is also a holy covenant but if you believe in religious freedom, which also means the right not to believe, then you cannot impose your religious beliefs on others and insist that they see it the same way.

If you believe that all people should be treated equally and allowed the same rights and opportunities, then it is difficult to really justify opposing marriage for all sound-minded adults entering freely into the terms.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

ambrosia,

I am not a biologist, but I take your word in explaining the mechanism of how fertilization occurs. But does that happen between homosexual couples?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

If gays are allowed to married....the justification being that "what consenting adults do behind closed doors is no ones business", then I am waiting for the day when western countries allow plural marriage so long as all parties are your so called 'Consenting adults' !

Wee Haw!!!!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

voiceofokinawa: I am not a biologist, but I take your word in explaining the mechanism of how fertilization occurs. But does that happen between homosexual couples?

No, you certainly aren't but I'm just going to assume you're not being purposely obtuse. All children come into the world the same way, scientifically speaking. What's important is that they are raised by people who want and love them. Do you oppose adoption and the use of fertility treatments by straight couples, given that the fertilization didn't happen in the traditional manner? How is that any different when it occurs between homosexual couples other than the fact that it makes you uncomfortable for purely emotional and not logical reasons?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

the chronic: then I am waiting for the day when western countries allow plural marriage so long as all parties are your so called Consenting adults!

I don't know if you're being facetious or not but yes, logically, it is hard to oppose plural marriage that occurs between consenting adults. I, for one, am not opposed to it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

ambrosia,

I am talking about the matter idealistically, abstracting away from concreteness. Yes, there are many married couples who want a child but cannot due to some biological reasons and whose last resort is adoption and/or in-vitro fertilization. There are also cases in straight marriages in which child rearing is neglected or even infanticides occur. I am abstracting away from such concreteness and talking about the matter more idealistically. You cannot take up peripheral cases such as these and justify your position. The comparison must be done between idealistic straight marriage and idealistic gay marriage.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

No Miso I think this is the kind of viewpoint that people in 10-15 years time from now will look at and split their sides laughing because it is so homophobic

What does it means - homophobic ?

It is NORMAL people.... and it is ...with deviations

Our civilisation based on the normal one...

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

These marriages decreases birth and increase women depression because there will be less men as husbands.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

voiceofokinawa: I am talking about the matter idealistically, abstracting away from concreteness. Yes, there are many married couples who want a child but cannot due to some biological reasons and whose last resort is adoption and/or in-vitro fertilization. There are also cases in straight marriages in which child rearing is neglected or even infanticides occur. I am abstracting away from such concreteness and talking about the matter more idealistically. You cannot take up peripheral cases such as these and justify your position. The comparison must be done between idealistic straight marriage and idealistic gay marriage.

No, what you are doing is fantasizing about an ideal that simply doesn't exist. There is no "ideal marriage". What works for some may not work for others so, sorry, but I refuse to base my argument within such narrow parameters. If your idea of an "ideal marriage" is one with children then simply ask yourself if you accept the notion of people adopting and or using fertility treatments. If the answer is yes, then please explain what your objection is to homosexual couples doing exactly the same. Ask yourself if those who are infertile or not allowed to adopt for whatever reason should also be banned from getting married. If the answer is no, then please explain why you'd want to deny that right to gays.

Allowing gays to marry changes nothing for straight people. Straight people will continue to have children and not have children. They'll continue to be in good marriages and crappy marriages. They'll continue to never marry, stay married and divorce. Nothing changes for them by allowing gays to marry. And if you think that the institution of marriage is so fragile that its very existence is threatened by whatever percentage of an estimated 10% of the homosexual population wants to get married, then it is an extremely fragile institution. But then again, the high rate of divorce among heterosexual marriages should've already been an indication of that.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

olegek: What does it means - homophobic ?

Homo = same Phobic = fear of

It is NORMAL people.... and it is ...with deviations

Who is normal? Do you know what goes on in the bedrooms of your friends, co-workers, neighbors? Other than the sex itself, if you are straight there is really not much at all that is different about you from homosexuals. They're just living their lives and trying to get along as best they can, like most everyone is.

Our civilisation based on the normal one...

No, our civilization is based on pretending that the other one didn't exist. Thankfully, that is changing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Mohamed Al Hashim: These marriages decreases birth and increase women depression because there will be less men as husbands.

How do you figure? Plenty of gays want to marry and have kids too. Plenty of straight people don't want to have kids. As a woman, I can tell you that I'd be far more depressed married to a guy who was gay and really didn't want to be with me than I would by never being married. First, give women a little more credit than that. Second, give it some logical thought.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

ambrosia,

Abstracting away from concreteness is not fantasizing. There's no perfect circle in the actual world; there's no perfect triangular. All there is is an imperfect circle or imperfect triangular. The same with marriages, whether it's straight or gay. So when you compape the two, you think as if there were perfect straight marriage and perfect gay marriage. You then argue which will contribute to the perpetuity of the humanity biologically and socially.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

voiceofokinawa: You then argue which will contribute to the perpetuity of the humanity biologically and socially.

People having babies contributes to the perpetuity of the human race and as I've already stated, homosexuals are just as capable of having and or raising babies as straights are. How does trying to deny them the same opportunity to create a family contribute to the perpetuation of society in any way, unless you are comfortable living in a society which denies equal rights to all of its members? I am not. Everyone is not suddenly going to become homosexual because you allow them to marry. The same percentage of people who were gay before will be gay now, they will simply be allowed to live their lives like equals. You can "concrete" this as much as you want but your basic argument still comes down to denying people rights. That has never proved to be a good thing for a society and never will be.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

ambrosia,

What are basic human rights mean to you? Are all basic human rights denied to gays?

As you say, "People having babies contributes to the perpetuity of the human race," and that I think is the biological as well as social aspect or purpose of marriage. Does gay marriage have such biological and social aspect and purpose?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

voiceofokinawa: As you say, "People having babies contributes to the perpetuity of the human race," and that I think is the biological as well as social aspect or purpose of marriage. Does gay marriage have such biological and social aspect and purpose?

If that is well and truly what you think then you must also be arguing against the right of marriage to anyone who is infertile or unwilling to have children, that includes straight couples. If you are unwilling to do so, then the whole premise of your argument is simply couched in anti-homosexual hypocrisy. I will say it one last time - denying gays the right to marry does not in any way affect the institution of marriage and has no discernible effect on the world's population. If however, you are really worried about the world's population, which I don't think you are but rather, are using it as a straw man argument, then one would think that you would welcome gay marriage since the world is, by most accounts, dangerously overpopulated and we 7 billion plus are in danger of depleting our natural resources.

And, yes, I would certainly say that basic human rights are denied to gays who are not allowed to marry. "Discriminatory marriage laws deprive gay and lesbian couples of over 1000 federal rights and benefits. Deprivation of these benefits has demonstrable negative psychological and social impact on same sex couples, their children and families. Discrimination frays the human spirit. Making committed human connections is good for physical and mental health. Forming families, traditional or not, is good for the soul. Marriage is a basic human right and an individual personal choice and the State should not interfere with same-gender couples who choose to marry. Homosexuality is a normal variant of adult sexuality; gay men and lesbians possess the same potential and desire for sustained loving and lasting relationships as heterosexuals, including loving and parenting children. This is supported by hard data, not just opinion. Ending discrimination enhances the human spirit and makes all our lives better."

If you would not deny the right to marriage to straight couples who cannot or will not have children then you have no argument against allowing gays to marry since your whole premise seems to be that the perpetuity of the human race is at stake.

Kindness is a moral virtual. Try and practice it towards all. Have a good day.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

ambrosia,

Again, you are arguing the problem based on particulars -- exceptional ones at that. And it's you who said, "People having babies contributes to the perpetuity of the human race," which I expanded by saying that's the biological as well as social aspect or purpose of marriage.

I don't know what 1000 rights and benefits are denied to gay and lesbian couples, but certainly they are guaranteed basic human rights, I suppose. Basic human rights, as I understand, are innate rights all men and women are supposed to possess that transcend the state and constitution. Are gays denied to those rights?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

For gays to use the term 'marriage' they then must adopt all that comes with being married. And all marriages need to be 'Consummated.' Consummation comes from the act of sexual intercourse which by definition is the act whereby the male reproductive organ is inserted into the females. NOT male on male, female on female.

By that defintion alone, Gay marriages are invalid.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@The Chronic, "By THAT definition..." Where'd you get that? The Japanese constitution? Or is that by Catholic law? (ie: it doesn't count, and you can get an annulment based on lack of that one act?) Do states and nations have such laws? Is that in the Japan Family Law code? (I highly doubt it, but I'd be willing to look at your link to the statutes.)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I would not say that homosexuality be stringently discouraged and morally demonized. However, I see it as an unnatural act. I'm not trying to offend or be hateful to anyone, I'm just being honestly candid. I do not believe in perpetually glamourizing celebrities through every possible media outlet for a public announcement of "coming out". Again, I'm not saying it is "morally wrong", just that it is not the optimum in my eyes. Here's my line of reasoning. Nature is the best teacher. Nature is the real Mother of Invention. My belief is that our behavioral patterns should walk hand-in-hand with natural design. That is the optimum. So unless one is a hermaphrodite, the intended pairing of male and female is a self evident truth. Not for the sole purpous of procreation but to strengthen and reinforce the bonds between life mates. There are cases of homosexuality throughout the animal kingdom in species other than human, we all have to admit. But of those homosexual relationships, I know of none that were of the type of species who monogamously mate (for life) outside of captivity. So to me, marriage honors that natural teaming of male and female for life. Anything else is a Civil Union (in my opinion).

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Metro.

So you never enjoyed music by Queen, Barry Manilow, Elton John, Wham, etc. Or movies nor sports by the many non-heterosexual people?

Nor did your spouse and those is only a small selection that make it public.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@ It's ME:

Barry Mailow is NOT gay!!! You should be tarred and feathered for saying that! LOL! Neither is Wham..George Michael is but NOT Andrew Ridegley.

@taj: I'm not your errand boy. I did my Due Diligence on marriage and Consummation. I suggest you do yours.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Years ago, boys and girls were separated in schools. After 2nd grade, boys go to boys classrooms and girls went girls rooms. Then boys went boys middle school and girlw went girls middle school. Colleges, Until General MacArthur tried to modernize Japan's school system, boys only and girls only. Then when integrated, universities only had one or two grils who were large and athletic. At that time, gays and lesbians were considered growing up stage. Marriages? Men had mistresses. Females became maid wives.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Maybe they should invite Madonna for their movement. Madonna helped Russian Gay movement. Russian Government complained to USA that Madonna was trying to make Russia Gay Country. That was when we had USA presidential election and Romney was telling as if Russia is under Stalin. So, USA people found Russia is not like what Romney had been telling.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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