Hillary Clinton Eyes Gay Rights at State Dept.

How about "merriage" for those not allowed "marriage"?

Marie is ready to offer "all rights, but not marriage, that is one man and one women

only", but she doesn't understand that the only thing the "law" is, is words -- words that matter. The word "marriage" appears innumerable times in the written law and common-law precedent. It would take decades if not longer to litigate the meaning of "domestic partnerships" of CA and "civil unions" of NJ to harmonized them with the goal of marriage equality. Would you want to risk your rights [and sanity] to unpredictable and protracted litigation in all 50 states before you could be secure in your legal status?

The alternative is to get government out of "marriage" altogether, but wait until traditionalists cry that they're the target of the govt's religious persecution in denying them "marriage".

Merry Men & Merry Women in all but 6 states - claim MERRIAGE! They can't take that away from you!

Marco Luxe of CA 4:07PM June 08, 2009

When you wish to see the face of hatred, bigotry, and ignorance, try to find the face of Rhonda. She would like to pretend that she knows no-one who is gay, and that she could never care for someone who is gay. Statistics, however, would show that she probably knows at least 6 of the GLBT people. And most likely considers them friends or loved ones. She just doesn't know they are gay, and wants to keep it that way.

Those of us who have lived for over half a century have seen this issue moving slowly, but surely to the forefront...not because we want to "queer you", but because we are an oppressed minority who would like to claim the rights our Constitution guarantees us...life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness. We are not after your children, we are not after you, Rhonda. We don't need to change anyone into a gay or lesbian. There are plenty of us out here who live, work, love, and thrive in our families and communities. why are you so afraid of us?

Oh, and Rhonda, please don't start thumping your Bible at me. I have spent a great deal of time studying this issue, and have read many scholars' work on it. I'm afraid you don't have a leg to stand on. But that's ok. We don't need to go there. Just live your life and let me and mine live ours.

thanks for your time.

And thank you, Ms. Clinton for standing up for the rights of every person in the United States of America.

Chip Rosenthal of NY 9:29AM June 08, 2009

I am a student studying to serve my country as a Foreign Service Officer. I am thrilled that Secretary Clinton has finally agreed to support the many gay members of the Foreign Service after so many years of calculated obliviousness to the issue by Secretary Rice. Clinton made the decision because 1) it was the right thing to do, and 2) because it makes economic sense to recognize the relationships of talented gay Foreign Service Officers at a time when this recognition is so commonplace in the private sector.

Based on Rhonda's comments I think it is pretty obvious she doesn't have any gay friends and intends to keep it that way. It's easy for her to think of gays as sinister liberals with an "agenda" to destroying traditional families, taking up the time of congressmen, and wasting taxpayer benefits for our sex partners. So I encourage Rhonda to actually get to know some gay people. Then she'll learn our "agenda" has nothing to do with her. First, we just want respect and legal recognition from our government, and afterwards we can worry about winning over people like Rhonda , respectfully, and showing her that we're not out to "spread" gayness and morally corrupt the world.

Rhonda, we're not trying to cram anything down your throat any more than you are. We are just trying to get our government to recognize that gay people exist and are eager to prove to the world that we are just as capable of being quality employees, neighbors, friends and citizens. All we want in return is respect and legal recognition of our relationships, which are just as real as yours. Get to know a gay couple, and you'll see.

I think in the long-run you'll make peace with gays, the same way that America's Christians have made peace with people of other religions in our country. Even though the Bible says these non-Christians are going to hell, Christians still believe that these other people are still deserving of the same legal rights as they are. We're generally great people without the sinister motives you suggest, Rhonda. Get to know one of us and you'll see.

Todd of CO 7:48PM June 07, 2009

If by "pushing the gay agenda" Rhonda is referring to equal rights, then yes, of course it is being pushed.

Also, I could be wrong but it seems those who "hate" the United States for having gay diplomats are usually associated with someone named Osama.

shenpa warrior of WA 4:15PM June 07, 2009