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" Sorry that you have to hear me spout off again but The concept of gay marriage has been back in the news understandably because of the recent political campaigns that we have as citizens been barraged with. Fortunately the elections are over but the issue about gay marriage is not going to gay away because it is our right as American citizens. The republicans seem to use it as a divisive tool to undermine any impression of democrats having a sense of a moral compass. We are all once again hearing the term used about marriage as being a sacred or religious institution and therefore gay unions are not worthy of being legally sanctioned by any institutions, whether it is in a church chapel or otherwise. If marriage were indeed a sacred or religious institution, which seems to be the major argument presented by the religious right against the legalization of gay marriages, why then can atheist be married legally? One therefore does not have to be religious. Heterosexuals are also allowed to be married by the justice of the peace, at a drive up window in Las Vegas or by a cruise ship captain to receive Gods blessing on their “holy” union of matrimony. Do they want to further blur the lines between separation of church and state by making an amendment against these forms of “non traditional” styles of union since they don’t necessarily have any religious affiliation. Since such unions can be performed by anyone that wants to attain that piece of paper that allows for one to marry heterosexual couples under nearly any circumstance imaginable. Heterosexuals can be married while sky-diving, scuba diving or on a mountaintop. The circumstances or styles one chooses to become legally married are endless. Many of the unions may have no religious overtones whatsoever yet still be considered legal. Since these unions are inarguably legal it would then seem me to blow a big whole in that same tired argument that the religious right continues to endlessly purport that marriage is a “holy” union whether one is a “believer” or not. Another one of their overused arguments is that allowing gay marriages would also help destroy the heterosexual marriages by making a mockery of it. I don’t think heterosexuals need our help in destroying “holy” matrimony. According to all statistics on the success of “traditional” heterosexual marriages, they seem to be doing a fine job of that on their own. I would truly like to hear a rational discussion on this issue and some rational reasons that would suggest that their fears are well founded. Thank you, Aaron Jason Silver. www.aaronjasonsilver.com asilver@wmis.net this is an important issue for me. "

" Quote:"wrote on October 31, 2006 12:38 PM: "The one-and-only reason we have the Southern Baptist Convention is slavery (e.g.: Genesis 9:27). They were definitely 'pro' and had the verses to back themselves up. Why is it tha the 'Bible Belt' and the slaves states are the exact same ones? Same goes for Jim Crow laws. Same goes for bans on inter-racial marriage. Same goes for virtually any law that would protect minorities. Why? BTW... your pseudo-indignation is touching."" Same argument, different day. It's still not the same thing as inter-racial marriage, and especially not the same thing as slavery. And no amount of trying to fool the general public into thinking that it is will make it happen. BTW... being a jackass is not going to help your cause any. "

" The one-and-only reason we have the Southern Baptist Convention is slavery (e.g.: Genesis 9:27). They were definitely 'pro' and had the verses to back themselves up. Why is it tha the 'Bible Belt' and the slaves states are the exact same ones? Same goes for Jim Crow laws. Same goes for bans on inter-racial marriage. Same goes for virtually any law that would protect minorities. Why? BTW... your pseudo-indignation is touching. "

" Aaron Silver, you seem like a thoughtful individual, have you ever thought that those "deep wounds and extreme insecurities" were brought about by the gay person's own self-knowledge about their TRUE self, the one that God/nature has made? As you alluded to, it is time for homosexuals to take some responsibility for their behaviour, and not blame everyone else for their sorrow and, yes, hate. Sharon Kennelly, I've seen all those arguments before in every other opinion piece, and they don't hold water. And please stop comparing your wish that acceptance of homosexual sex be made law, with the black Americans fight against slavery. Black Americans really were "born that way" and making them equal in every way really was the right thing to do. If I was black, I would be very offended by homosexual activists continually degrading black American's struggle by comparing it with their own "struggle" to have sex with a member of their own gender made forcibly accepted in society. "

" http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2006/10/20/opinion/letters/04letter20.txt..... On November’s ballot, Wisconsin will vote on a constitutional ban on same-gender marriages. We of Religious Society of Friends believe the movement to isolate and scapegoat homosexuals, to promote hatred against them, and to impose in law one group’s religious beliefs on us all, is blatantly immoral and contrary to Jesus’ teachings. With half of marriages ending in divorce, unquestionably the right thing to do is to strengthen marriages. But diverting the question to whether two people of the same sex can have legal rights together completely loses track of the problem of frail marriages. The proposed constitutional amendment really has nothing to do with marriage; it is a thinly veiled attack on gays and lesbians, part of a pattern of discrimination and institutionalized hatred. It is a strategy of power practiced by would-be tyrants throughout history. Some have portrayed persecution and hatred of gays as a Christian thing to do. We can find nowhere that Jesus said anything about homosexuality. Nor did Jesus ever suggest encoding Christian teachings into a Sharia-like law to force religious beliefs on society. We believe that God loves us all equally, and that we are called to treat each other with the same love in which God created us. We have no need to hate, or to discriminate against, any group for any reason. It is simply not Christian to do so. "

" It's amazing that the "Christian" Right has no problem at all in telling lies and in spreading mis-truths. In Lutheran Sunday School, I was taught that lying and bearing false witness wasn't Christian, but maybe that's not the message in fundamentalist churches. "A Little Truth" said that people can obtain the same rights by going through a lawyer as they can by obtaining a marriage license. FOR THE RECORD, THIS IS A BALD-FACED LIE BEING SPREAD BY THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT. In fact, MOST of the rights of marriage CAN NEVER, EVER, EVER be obtained by going through a lawyer NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY ONE SPENDS. TO THE "CHRISTIAN" RIGHT: STOP YOUR LYING... YOU'RE GIVING US LUTHERANS A BAD NAME. "

" So you think no Democrats are opposed to changing the definition of marriage? How do you think you are going to persuade them to your point of view if you attack them? Just because some of them may agree with allowing gay marriage, it does not mean all of them do. If you want to attack Democrats find another forum. "

" "Even if the amendment passes, same-sex couples could still hire an attorney and hammer out many of the legal rights and obligations that opposite-sex couples receive free of charge. But why should the state erect roadblocks against any couple that’s ready to make a lifetime commitment of love and fidelity?"........................ ............................. .............................................. So you even admit that with a little attorney work any couple can have the same rights a MARRIED ones...So what's the problem.................Marriage has always been discribed throughout history as between a Man and a WOMAN.....ONLY now does anyone want to change it....and only the whacko democrats are for changing the definition of marriage to secure the GAY VOTE...This is all about the DEMS getting VOTES...Can anyone say Politics "

" Those who are NOT gay, and are NOT married, and never have been married, do not have the rights of marriage. So, you still would deny others those rights as long as you can gain them. "

" Those rights are denied to any person who is not married. That is the point. If you insist that marriage is the only route to everyone being accorded those rights, then no wonder this never passes. The point is to extend those rights from marriage to others outside marriage, not to demand marriage to gain them. "

" This amendment denies gays a civil certificate of marriage, civil unions and anything that even comes close to approximating marriage in terms of benefits. You ask, "what can be done to extend those rights, outside marriage, to others?" IF THIS AMENDMENT PASSES, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. WISCONSIN WILL HAVE TWO TYPES CITIZENS: THOSE THAT HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS BEFORE THE LAW AND THOSE BENEATH THE LAW. "

" OK. So we can eliminate the religious argument with regard to this. The married man brought up the point of what is the purpose of traditional marriage in almost all societies? Second, if our society gives married people certain rights denied others, what can be done to extend those rights, outside marriage, to others? "

" "My last post for today. To those of you that support the marriage ammendment, Please make your voice be heard in all the publications and airwaves and over the phone lines. Don't allow the volume of the minority to shame you from voting your concsience. Sometimes, confrontation is necesarry to get people to wake up. Don't be afraid of your stance, you are not bigotted or discriminatory, you are a rational thinking human being, and you have every right to voice your opinion, and above all you have an obligation to back up that opinion with your vote. In the end, your opinion is just that, your vote will count. Don't forget it, get off your rear go to the polls, tell everybody you know to go to the polls. Give rides when necesarry. Vote YES on the marriage ammendment. Light your light shine!" "

" No, Wisconsin hasn't joined Israel. We've joined the Bible Belt (aka, Dixie; aka, The Confederacy). Just gimme that ole time religion and pass the grits. Wisconsin is fixin' to have a hoe-down! "

" For every law in the Bible, we need a constitutional amendment...not just for homosexuals. Just from Leviticus alone, there will be dozens and dozens amendments. This would OUTLAW: eating shrimp, eating lobster, eating crab or any shellfish, any pork products, beef stroganoff, cheeseburgers, etc. AND...our brand new amendments would PERMIT: the killing of wiccans, the killing of adulterers and fornicators, the killing of blasphemers, the killing of those that venerator icons (e.g.: Catholics), the killing of homosexuals, and the killing of rebellious children. THIS WOULD TRULY MAKE WISCONSIN A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIFE. TALIBAN..."CHRISTIAN" STYLE. "

" Marriage is was and should always be a union between a man and a woman. Otherwise, what is the reason for two sexes? If we allow this, what's next? "

" http://www.abpnews.com/1438.article. Here's an excerpt: "On how White House aides privately talked about prominent Christian leaders: "Christian leaders, Christian media, and Christian writers, however, didn't dare question or challenge him or the White House. He wasn't a political leader to them, he was a brother in Christ. "What they didn't get to see was what the White House thought of them. For most of the rest of the White House staff, evangelical leaders were people to be tolerated, not people who were truly welcomed. No group was more eye-rolling about Christians than the political affairs shop. They knew "the nuts" were politically invaluable, but that was the extent of their usefulness… "Political Affairs was hardly alone. There wasn't a week that went by that I didn't hear someone in middle- to senior-levels making some comment or another about how annoying the Christians were or how tiresome they were, or how "handling" them took so much time. "National Christian leaders received hugs and smiles in person and then were dismissed behind their backs and described as 'ridiculous,' 'out of control,' and just plain 'goofy.' The leaders spent much time lauding the president, but they were never shrewd enough to do what Billy Graham had done three decades before, to wonder whether they were being used. They were." (pp. 229-230)" "

" The Bible. What does it say about marriage lasting until death do us part? Isn't divorce more of a threat to the destruction of the family than gay marriage? Why then are divorced people granted the right to remarry again and again and again...? And then there's always the flash back to the 60's when inter-racial marriages were not permitted. Has the world been destroyed by allowing this to happen? Gay marriage will not destroy the sanctity of marriage it will, if anything, strengthen it by allowing the love between two people to be recognized by the rest of the world. "

" The house of Israel and the children of Israel. Is Wisconsin now a part of Israel? When did that happen? "

" we true christians follow the whole Bible literally EXCEPTfor the parts we don't like. If we encounter a young whipper-snapper like you that quotes the bible back to, we just say you're taking out of context and move on. Truth be told, the ONLY verse in Leviticus we take literally is 18:22. Everything else is out of context. "

" "18 And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people." Leviticus 20 " "

" 17 And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity." Leviticus 20:17 "7 And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males. ... 11 And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, both of men and of beasts. ... 15 And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? 16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD. 17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. 18 But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves "

" It also says in leviticus that if your child talks back they should be stonned.Do you fllow all or just some of the old testament? "

" It is online and is VERY interesting. Chapters 1 through 9 describe how burnt, blood and animal sacrifices should be made on the altar. How many of your churches are doing this? Leviticus 19:27: Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. No barber shops or hair salons? This book appears to be about the rules for an ancient animal herding culture. "

" Weird, unatural and dirty behavior? Perhaps, but I can think of a whole host of behaviors that mimic theirs from Hetrosexuals. Perhaps this is natures way for population control. Lets face it, these couples cannot produce unwanted children who ultimately will end up as welfare dependents and further burden the system. Yes, some spread fatal disease with irresponsible practices but so does the hetrosexual world. Somebody commented that we all had to look at ourselves and responsibilities in our lives. Yes, there are alot more issues to worry about than the concern about gay couples. I am a God fearing person and aware of what the bible states regarding this matter, but I would rather see a gay couple walking down the street enjoying each other's company than a young girl juggling 3 or 4 children all by different men knowing she's draining the system from my hard earned tax dollars! "

" When your bi-sexual daughter claim her right to marry both a husband and a wife, how will you respond? Will you deny her rights based on some old-fashioned tradition? Will you point to the hole in the dam that created 'rights' for same-sex couples? "

" If anyone cares for what the Lord thinks ABOUT WICCANS AND NEW AGERS read Leviticus 20:27 (A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.) "

" The "christian" right hate-mongers have joined the discussion. Now we'll get to find out how much they hate (I mean love) gays, wiccans, Catholics, warlocks, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Democrats, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, scientists, Shintos, new agers, environmentalists, etc. "

" If anyone cares for what the Lord thinks about witches read Exodus 22:18. God wants 'em all dead. "

" If anyone cares for what the Lord thinks read Leviticus 18:22. "

" Leviticus 18:22 what more is there to say? "

" Originally I was going to comment on how well the letter in the paper did negating the nonsense responses to gay unions and gays having equal legal rights, responsibilities and obligations. You really emphasized the real points and I don't see room for anyone to argue. I agree completely with everything you wrote, and encourage you to send it to all the newspapers in the state. "

" Once again an excellent editorial on a contentious issue, deserving of wider publication. One of the best I've read on this subject anywhere. Keep em coming -- the editorials, and maybe disperse them more widely. "

" Yea, Tomah!!!! Thank you for this articulate and very logical editorial. This is one of the very best I have read in various Wisconsin newspapers. A big pat-on-the-back to its author and those that let it be published. "

" Betty, you claim the Bible is god's word, but you don't even follow all of it, do you? Try I Corinthians 14:34,35 or I Timothy 2:12 on for size (more chapters n' verses you don't follow are available, simply by asking). So, Betty, if you don't follow the Bible, why are you trying to get non-Christians to follow the parts of the Bible you like? "

" .If you claim your little story( the bible) is the only story for us all I say get lost.There are many other religous traditions that have books they hold as sacred too.But your are right becasue you say you are right.How silly. "

" If you do not believe that the Bible is God's word, go ahead and live the gay life style. As far as that goes live life anyway you darn well please. Who cares about your behavior if you don't. "

" Thanks for such a wonderfully thought out and written editorial. It's honest, real and to the point, and is very much needed and appreciated. "

" letter to editor ----- Original Message ----- ----- Original Message ----- Subject: late morning Dear editor, My heart aches when I think about our state passing an amendment that hurts people. Wisconsin law already restricts marriage to heterosexual couples. I wonder why anyone would believe that the legal union of a gay couple could threaten the sanctity of someone's marriage. What transpires between spouses has nothing to do with the gay couple down the street. Gay people do not destroy marriages. Family illness, drug use, alcoholism, financial difficulty, infidelity, war, intolerance, physical, mental, and emotional abuse are the kinds of concerns that do the damage. Passing the marriage amendment would harm our university, business community, gay families, and most importantly, gay children. Gay youth have a difficult time, and this amendment would amplilfy their pain. Gay people are born gay, so if one believes in a creator, does one believe the creator erred? Why is the idea of a civil union something so difficult to accept? And if a church chooses to marry a gay couple, isn't that a religious freedom? If one wishes to see what is worthy of moral outrage, take a rice bag to the Sudan or a body bag to Iraq, look around, and then ask why we are wasting time legislating about love. This mean-spirited amendment is without compassion for gay people with whom we share this earth, and it is iintellectually shallow. Please search your heart and your mind and address your unwarranted fears before you vote. Our descendants will reflect on our anti-gay legislation with regret and sadness, just as we deplore the racist and segregationist laws of the past. The people of Wisconsin are intelligent, compassionate, good people who need to defeat this ugly, unfair, and unnecessary amendment. Sharon Kennelly 6326 Piedmont Road Madison, WI 53711 271-3319 Kennelly@charter.net "

" Well said. Thank you for speaking out. "

" Hello, my name is Aaron Jason Silver. I am a gay man and have recently authored likely the most comprehensive book about gay male culture. It also provides a detailed guided tour through gay culture in an effort to promote a better understanding to the many people that find it very mysterious and are understandably curious about what goes on behind the scenes within the culture. The book is entitled, ?Why Gay Men Do What They Do?; ?An Inside Look At Gay Culture?. Below is a brief summary of my book and what my concerns are about contemporary gay culture. In my new book I discuss in detail the reasons why I believe that so many gay men develop dangerous, negative and self destructive behaviors such as a much higher incidence of alcoholism, drug abuse, sexual addictions and the need for endless partying. Most of these behaviors that so often develop are more akin to what one would expect to see from teenage girls than grown men. They are very often catty, gossipy, mean-spirited and the extremely self involved behaviors that are especially more visible when they are in a group amongst each other. At parties you will very often see a group of gay men in a clutch discussing in a very negative tone, the home decorations, some other man in the room and their disdain for him, even how someone is dressed or even the serving plates the host is using. I believe these petty behaviors are simply manifestations of the wounds that they develop growing up within a legally sanctified homophobic society which cause deep wounds and extreme insecurities. They will often turn to substance abuse to dumb the pain of self-denunciation. I believe we need healthy charismatic leadership such as Martin Luther King kind of persona that will help inspire and motivate the gay community to move in a more positive direction. We still have a long way to go to be completely assimilated within the dominant culture. To me it seems that the gay community has become complacent and is happy just having fun and partying endlessly at their favorite watering holes. It is wonderful to want to have fun and play if there is some balance in our lives such as getting involved in some way in helping further our goals of complete assimilation and obtaining equal rights for all under the laws of the land, or even involving oneself in helping those in greater need and becoming less self involved. I personally will not settle for metaphorical crumbs. I want the whole cookie because we deserve it. However, we need more involvement within our culture otherwise we will continue our endless lifestyle of some very serious behavioral and emotional problems unless these issues are finally dealt with and an attempt is made to understand the root cause of these very serious issues. During the research process for this book I have traveled to around 60 countries and gathered information through my numerous discussions with gay men about their school age experiences. It was through my numerous discussions with gay men that I have spoken with, whether domestically or abroad, that I found a common thread. The commonality was that the vast majority of gay men particularly in the U.S was that school was a terrible and humiliating experience for them. I personally believe that these school age hurts for most gay men are still unhealed wounds that I refer to as ?ghost wound.? Ghost wounds are unhealed wounds that continue to haunt gay men all through their lifetimes affecting their adult lives in a variety of negative and self-defeating ways as I have mentioned. I believe and have noticed it seems to prevent many from having truly fulfilling lives. Many gay men also tend to prefer situations that are superficial and are more comfortable with the more extraneous aspects of life. They tend to avoid deep or profound discussions dealing with emotional issues. They often avoid these situations as they arise by giggling or making some silly comment to bring the conversation back into a conversational arena that is more comfortable for them. I feel this is a good place borrow a saying by Shakespeare that may seem overused to some but in this situation I find it highly appropriate because of its eternal truth. The saying goes as such; ?a life unexamined is a life not worth living?. For many gay men their early years were very painful and perhaps this is the reason why they tend not to be introspective. The examination of ones life can be a painful process but the fruits of the process are well worth all the pain that they may have to endure. I need to make it clear that what I have just said is not a blanket statement about all gay men by any means; however, these behaviors are more common amongst gay men than with their straight brothers from my experience and years of observation. I would be remiss if I didn?t add that by my doing so has caused numerous retaliations against me personally, telephone threats, vandalism to my home and pets by members of the gay community. I have now become the pariah within the gay community in which I live because I dared speak the truth. I know that hearing the truth can be hurtful, but I feel it is necessary. Without knowing the truth one cannot begin the process of healing the wounds that plague so many gay men of today. I feel that the gay culture is in a downward spiral. New HIV infections are on the rise again in the community along with other very serious STD?s. The answer to these very serious problems lies within us all. We need to stop this whirlwind of endless partying and take some time alone to think about what we are doing to ourselves and our reputations. If you would like a free copy to review please e-mail me a request and I would be delighted to forward your request on to my publisher. They will in turn send you a copy of the book which will take approximately 1 week to be delivered. --------------------------------------------- A portion of the proceeds from the book sales will be going towards the (non-profit / foundation we are establishing) "CHANGE YOUR LIFE ADVENTURES" (CYLA) which is explained below. CHANGE YOUR LIFE ADVENTURES: This endeavor is to provide underprivileged teens with the opportunity to experience the wonders of dramatic cultural differences such as African safaris, India and all of the wonderful places that influenced my life so positively. There will be a psychotherapist on board for added guidance and to assist the teenagers with any self-esteem issues, which may hinder their understanding that "what you can dream can be your reality". Our goal is to inspire and encourage these young minds to further their education through scholarship money, computers or any tools, that may be essential to learning in this modern age. ----------------------------------------------- Most sincerely, Aaron Jason Silver Aaron Jason Silver For more information and how to order this book, go to: www.aaronjasonsilver.com To add comments about my book go to my blog: www.whygaymendowhattheydo.blogspot.com . asilver@wmis.net 269 561-6789 "

" This is a very courageous and honest stance. It is also supported by many Christian churches and believers throughout the state. I don't think it is fair to assume that this will result in overwhelming Christian mean-spiritedness. True Christians believe in acceptance and love, and many will vote No in November. No to discrimination, No to hate, and No to enshrining hateful legislation in our constitution. "

" I can't wait to read the upcoming hate-grams from the "Christian" Right... "