I have truly enjoyed watching the exchange that has been happening the last couple days. I am beyond thrilled that people are discussing the issues and examining all sides of the issues.

First I want to comment to Norma's first comment and quoting the paragraph where I speak of how much hate there has been. I thought long and hard about what I wrote, the words to use, and how to convey how people and myself have been feeling. For someone that lives on the other side of the discrimination that is exactly how it feels. In law school I was elect Student Body President. I had fellow classmates come up to me and threaten me. I have been told that I will go to hell, that I don't deserve to live, I have had people come into our neighborhood and protest throwing things at my neighbors and friends. My children have been teased and told that their mothers are evil and have evil inside them that will attack them. This is hate, this is animalistic. A seven year old boy was killed early this year because he wrote a Valentine to a boy in his class. You never hear about a group of gays or lesbians raping or beating someone up because they are straight. People have been brutally physically and emotionally hurt because of who they love. This is what I refer to. I understand and know many people have trouble wrapping their brain around same-sex 'marriage'. I am not talking about those people.

I also have some questions. What impact would same-sex marriage have on society? In California it was legal for six months. There was no change in the school system, the divorce rate stayed the same, and so on. There has been no adverse affect. Further, people keep mentioning the child and the impact on them. My partner and I have two wonderful sons and we plan to have more children. They are the most loved kids I know. They go to school, participate in soccer, gymnastics, violin, guitar, art class, and have a great group of friends. Everyone that ever meets them loves them and loves having them around. I know multiple families that have two dads or two moms. Truly what effect does same-sex marriages or relationships have on children? Many argue that children need to be raised by a mother and father. However, this is not the typical case. That 'perfect' ideal does not exist as much as it once did. Moreover, just because that may be good for some does not mean that everyone should be held to that standard. I know multiple families who were raised by a mom and dad, had a great home life, all the support in the world and that does not guarantee the outcome of any person. The first five years of my life I was raised solely by my mom, she got remarried and I had a mom and dad. My biological father abandoned me, my step father treats me like I am second class. I was raised well and in a heterosexual family. I am still gay, nothing would have changed that.

The other argument is that marriage is for procreation. I want to ask what happens to the heterosexual couples that can't or don't want to have children? Are they to be treated differently under the law? Further through the advances of reproductive technology, same-sex couple procreate everyday. This technology also had nothing to do with the same-sex movement. I personally have donated eggs six times to five different straight couples so they can have a child. How am I any different in using a sperm donor? Any different from the couple that uses a sperm donor because the husband is sterile? This is one of the reasons that same-sex couples do need equal rights, to protect their children.

Also, on the notion concerning the promiscuity of the gay community. I remember being in college and seeing frat boy after frat boy have multiple partners a night. You hear all the time about couples across America that are apart of swinger groups...happily married, professional, mothers and fathers deciding to switch sexual partners. What about all the married men and women that cheat on their spouses? What about all the people in the heterosexual community that are just all promiscuous as some gay men? We can't deny rights to anyone because some choose different things in their lives. At least in the gay and lesbian community their is no risk of unwanted children and abortions. The same cannot be said of the promiscuity of heterosexuals. Should promiscuous heterosexuals get less rights?

I am beyond happy that the dialogue has been opened. That we are questioning 'how things have always been', that people are trying to learn more, and opening their minds and hearts. All the LGTB community seeks is equal rights under the law. I did not do enough to fight for my rights in this election. Many of us didn't and now we are upset, we are hurt, but mostly we are inspired to help bring change and progress. We are honored to be apart of history.

I want to leave this response with some thoughts. Most of the arguments on this issue is religiously based. First, I want to remind everyone that we are not asking for marriage or recognition by churches or any religion, just the government which is separate. Further if we are basing the argument on religious doctrine then I want the following to be considered. We are told that God's word is unchanging and eternal. The other side argues that they are adhering to God's word....(The following was written by my very conservative Mormon cousin-in-law and her questions concerning the word of God and what they are taught. She lives in Utah but would have voted No on Prop 8 if she could have. I realize it's sarcastic undertone and it is not meant to offend or enrage, just to bring to light questions.)

So I wonder then if Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to
be an abomination... End of debate. Then what about all this:

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2. clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev.21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20,
or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together
to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)