"I'm very disappointed in this decision," wrote Elizabeth Baker, 44, an attorney from Salem. "The freedom to associate with those you choose, including going into a legal partnership, is basic to our country.

"We seem to be caught up in a game of semantics over the word 'marriage.' If two people are willing to enter into a partnership with defined rights and responsibilities (such as inheritance, joint property, right to visit in a hospital as next-of-kin, to make medical decisions if the other partner is unable to do so, and file a joint tax return) why should the gender of the two people involved be of any concern to the government?"

Alisa Mattiazzi, an undergraduate at Lane Community College in Eugene, also was disappointed by the ruling.

"Oregon can continue (to) discriminate and ... make its voice heard for all to hear. Unfortunately, Oregon is not much different than the U.S. as a whole, and no one really cares," she wrote.

"The majority of Americans are not only homophobic, they are afraid that their heterosexual lives are somehow fragile enough to be damaged by other people's personal lives." (amen)

Homosexuality Debate

One wrote that "sex-marriage" is against God's laws and sets a bad example to young people about morality. Another advocated psychological help for gays, adding that they did not deserve "special rights." (no - not special rights, equal rights)

Such comments drew sharp opposing comments.

"I truly believe government does not belong in the bedroom," wrote Susan Stoehr, 42, a security officer from Salem. "There is nothing wrong with homosexuals. They are people just looking to fulfill a human need. They should not be treated as third class."

Chris Kester, 54, a program associate in Salem, agreed.

"I think in a few years we will look like laughingstocks. At some point in our future we will recognize that gays/lesbians are no different than the rest of us and we'll be amazed that we ever denied them the same rights as everyone else." (Could not have said it better myself - it's like how inter-racial marriage is these days. Who gives a shit? People love who they love. Look at the craziness at the time inter-racial marriage was illegal)

Civil unions?

"I think at the very least, the Legislature should allow civil unions for same-sex couples and outlaw discrimination of any kind," wrote Carmen Chavez, 36, an office specialist from Salem. "Civil rights and the pursuit of happiness shouldn't be limited to a select few."

"Practically, I support Ted Kulongoski's civil union/non-discrimination bill as maybe the best option for lesbians and gays right now," wrote Charles Wynnsk, 48, a teaching assistant from Salem. "I believe lesbians and gays should have the right to marry on the exact same terms as heterosexual are allowed to marry." (Agree with this. Any step forward to full equality is a good step forward.)

Carmen L. Crause, 61, of Salem disagreed.

"I don't believe in civil unions for same-sex couples. I do believe that there should be no discrimination. However, I see no reason for 'special' rights," Crause wrote. (Again EQUAL rights - not special rights. If she thinks that gays and lesbians are looking for a 'special right', meaning a right that others don't have she is very ignorant. She is the one with the 'special right' at this point. Am I the only one who sees the hypocrisy in this?)

"I don't feel that they are 'entitled' to anything special for living the way they want. I really don't see how married people get 'special' treatment and I've been married for over 40 years." (I could list hundreds here in Oregon and well over 1100 at the federal level)

Don Jarvis, 45, an electrician/programmer from Dallas, offered a nuanced view.

"Marriage has always been a joining of a man and a woman. If the state wants to give benefits to 'civil unions' then they should be able to. But please do not call it a marriage." (Why are these people so afraid of the word marriage? Heterosexuals have screwed up marriage for hundreds of years. 1 out of 2 marriages these days end in divorce - you all should bring the focus back to the sanctity of marriage in your own lives.)

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 17, 2005 at 12:31 PM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.