Questions about what sorts of rights should be recognized for gays and lesbians have divided American society. Some say that homosexuals should have all the rights as heterosexuals, including the ability to enter into same-sex marriages. Others argue that homosexuality is an abomination and should not be condoned or accepted in any way. What do you think?
Opposition to equal civil rights for gays comes in many forms. Religious conservatives are losing the argument that there is something necessarily wrong with homosexuality, so they appear to be turning to a new one: treating gays like fully equal citizens and human beings is incompatible with conservatives' religious liberty. Are they right?
Some feel that George W. Bush's reelection has started to have one cultural effect: people are running scared from anything that is supportive of homosexuality and gay Americans. There is a feeling that if private actors don't at least ignore homosexuality, they will be subject to a government crackdown that will force them to do so.
Gays in Jamaica have to fear for their lives if their sexual orientation becomes known. Many popular reggae artists in Jamaica have violently homophobic lyrics, something that helps make them popular at home but unpopular elsewhere. Should corporate sponsors help put an end to this?
There is a lot of debate about the legalization of gay marriage. Many see it as a necessary condition for gays having equal rights while others treat it as a sign of the decline of civilization. Would gay marriage really have any great impact?
A number of Republicans who have been involved in the fight against gay rights have gay family members - often gay children, too. Is it fair to bring this up when discussing the politician's anti-gay positions?
Some religious conservatives have suggested barring gays from teaching in public schools, just like they are barred from the Boy Scouts. Do you think that this is a reasonable position to have? Should gays be barred from teaching?
Desperate to turn the tide against public school programs that teach tolerance for gays, the Christian Right seems to be adopting a new strategy. Instead of simply opposing such programs, they have tried to get ex-gay material about gays who have been 'cured' included as well. Is this fair, or is it like teaching creationism alongside evolution?
There was a time when accusing someone of being a homosexual could be libelous because such an accusation carried lots of negative consequences, like the loss of a job or home. Today that isn't nearly as true, but does that mean it shouldn't be treated as libelous anymore?
The Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, has an anti-gay policy that excludes "practicing" gays and punishes anyone who doesn't report a "practicing" gay person on campus. That didn't sit so well with the Rev. Warren Hammonds, director of student life, who felt that it conflicted with his other roles there - so he resigned.
In the debate over gay marriages, we shouldn't ignore the fact that there are other 'alternative' marriage arrangements which are illegal but which have existed in other places and other times - like polygamy. Some argue that polygamous marriages lead to fewer rights for women, but is that fair? Should polygamy be legal?
Judges aren't permitted to belong to organizations that discriminate based upon race or sex - after all, they can't maintain even an appearance of impartiality if they support groups that teach and endorse such discrimination. But what about groups that discriminate against gays?
Some healthcare would like to be exempt from anti-discrimination laws that would bar them from refusing to treat patients they have religious objects to. Thus, they are arguing that if they have religious objections to someone's homosexuality, they should be allowed refuse to care for them. Should that be legal? Is it ethical?
Although gays certainly don't constitute a very large or dominant force within the Republican Party, there are quite a few of them and their ideas have been growing in influence. Still, the Republican leadership seems determined to keep them shut out and the Republican platform is strongly against gay marriage and many gay rights. Should gays continue to vote Republican, then?
The push to legalize gay marriage has gained a lot of momentum recently - ten years ago, no one would have predicted that things would have gotten so far. Do you think that within your lifetime gay marriages will be as normal and accepted as interracial and interfaith marriages have become today?
In the debates surrounding homosexuality and gay rights, there are often questions about what causes homosexuality (and, hence, sexual orientation at all). Some say it is chosen, some say that it is caused by certain types of socialization, and some argue that it is biological in some way. What do you think?
Interracial marriage was legalized nationally on the argument that marriage is a "fundamental right" that all people have and that the state cannot restrict without very good reasons, despite the fact that it does not appear on the Constitution. Advocates of gay marriage make a similar argument. Do you agree?
Many conservative, evangelical Christians insist that civil marriage laws should be written to match the way they believe marriage is also defined in traditional Christianity - thus imposing Christian marriage standards upon everyone - non-Christians, atheists, liberal Christians, etc. I this justified?
There are fierce debates over whether same-sex couples should be allowed to have the same marriage rights and privileges as straight couples do. Some argue that this would undermine the institution of marriage, but other say that it's simply a matter of civil and equal rights.
Some people want to make sure that same-sex marriages are never legal, some want to amend the American Constitution. The Federal Marriage Amendment would define marriage as being between a man and a woman, no one else - thus excluding gay couples. Will the amendment pass?
