Hello,

As a minister, I believe that ALL Americans should be treated as equals in society. All Americans should abide by the same laws and have the same laws applied to them.

We can not call ourselves Christians and refuse to advocate for equality.

Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa

I second that emotion, Lisa. The fight for equality and against injustice is EVERYBODY'S fight.

Adults in committed relationships who love each other and want to get married should be allowed to marry.

I can't see any group who has suffered from inequities looking the other way on this issue. The level of homophobia in the African-American community is palpable. Rallying for same-sex marriage can only show support for those within the AA community who seek equal protection for their relationships. Leaders within the community need to tackle the issue of homophobia which has already had a negative effect on the community when it comes to AIDS.

SjP, thanks for asking for my input over at Birmingham Blues. I'm with the other commenters and with Dr. King on this one: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." It hasn't been that long since Loving v. Virginia, and there are many people in the black community who remember the days before that barrier came down. This is just one more we have to break through together.

Much obliged to you all for commenting on this post. I don't believe that anyone should be discriminated against in any way. I must admit, however, that I'm not really sure of my own stance on gay marriage which, is the reason I invited comments.

But, I do know that I believe that when 2 single people establish a committed long-term relationship that they should in fact enjoy the same benefits as those who are married. I've seen too many folks in common law unions who are deprived of health, education, and insurance benefits because they aren't "married" in the legal sense. To me this is just wrong. So, I guess I must be in favor of same sex marriages as a means of stopping discriminatory practices particarly as these practices relate to benefits.

I do not agree, however, with moves to remove husband, father, or other gender-type identifiers from marriage licenses, birth certificates, etc. Rather that to remove such designations I think there should be options provided as to how one might elect to be identified.

Much obliged again for your comments and insight.

SjP

I think if we've learned to connect the dots, justice is fair for everyone. I happen to be black and a lesbian. I'm an older woman who has not been allowed (in my own country) to have a relationship/family that is recognized. I'm living in England because my relationship is recognized in this country. Black people need to quit pretending that black gay people are not part of the black community - and that we don't deserve equal treatment. All of us are expected to fight for everything black, yet I can't expect support from many black people on my having the same benefits and rights that they take for granted.