Atlanta Forward readers engaged in debate last week over our same-sex marriage columns. They predicted how long it would take for gay marriage to become legal in Georgia, where the state has a constitutional ban on it. Here are some select comments:
Sawb: At the end of the day, the government should not be involved in marriage. Marriage should be handled by churches, clubs, fraternities or other organizations. The government should oversee legal issues related to partnerships between any adult whether homosexual, heterosexual or partnerships with no sexual component at all. Private organizations should be free to recognize these marriages if they choose, but should not be forced or coerced by the government to do so.
James: Whatever people want to do in their house is fine, but quit shoving this down our throat via media, TV and Hollywood. Move on people. We have more important issues in this country. Same goes for abortion; if you want one, get one. If you don't, then pay the price of raising a kid you probably can't afford. America is one nation going down the toilet sooner than later.
Itchy Finger: I don't see Georgia supporting deviant marriage any time in the foreseeable future. Rewarding unnatural, repulsive behavior with the title of marriage is simply deviant in itself. We here in Georgia still hold God as our guiding light, unlike many in the rest of the country.
Native Atlantan: I don't really have an opinion on whether we call it a "marriage" or "civil union" as long as the rights and protection are the same for both. The church can continue to maintain the marriage component, as I don't believe we can force any church to perform a marriage against its will. However, the civil union component should be maintained by the government — federal, state and local — so that all Americans are treated equally.
Tom: The 20-year figure would probably be about right — if the decision were left solely to the state. More same sex-marriage cases will make their way to the Supreme Court within the next two years, and one of them will end up being the Loving v. Virginia ruling that ends same-sex marriage bans nationwide. As a fiscally conservative, socially moderate GOP voter, my thought is, "The sooner, the better." The gay marriage debate is a losing one for the GOP, and the most social conservatives could realistically hope for would be to merely drag restrictions out another decade or so.
FredH.: Great feedback. The federal courts certainly could, and possibly will, have a say in the legalization of same-sex marriage. Not sure what such an action would do to public opinion. Permitting it otherwise would require changing the Georgia Constitution in the other direction — a tall order.
Jack: Ending our last bastion of civility and morality and basis for a normal family life is wrong, and we'll pay the price for a small segment of misfits having their "unions" legalized. Normal taxpayers will have to pay the price through taxes for the changes in codes and laws necessary to accommodate a lifestyle outside of nature's and God's laws.
