Should same sex couples have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples?

This is not asking should gay marriage be allowed. It is about the broad spectrum of general laws.Should same sex couples have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples?
Of course gay couples should have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples. The fact that they do not stems from several reasons.





1. Until recently most gay people wouldn't even consider ';coming out'; or announcing that they are in a gay relationship.





2. Most Americans have little knowledge of what homosexuality is really about... only what they see in the parades and the ranting of Bill Oriley about Gay day at Disney. That isn't enough.





3. Until VERY recently, gay people didn't ask for the same rights as heteros.





These things take time. The time will come.


I really do believe in America. I'm certain that in my lifetime we will achieve true equality. Those who dislike it will eventually go the way of the KKK. They will become a very small outcasted segment of society that will be scoffed at.





If all members of our society are to be treated equally and fairly under the law %26lt;and that is the intent of our nation's constitution%26gt; we will eventually be granted equal rights.Should same sex couples have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples?
yes. its not up to the government to decide what people do in their home as long as its legal, and it doesnt affect others in a negative way. this has also come recently to my attention: if we deny equal rights to same sex couples, another target could be to deny rights to people from a certain religion. if we allow homos to be denied rights, thenn we've opened a door to allow the government to deny rights to others for any number of reasons. kind of like what hitler did to the jews. (if you want to dicuss more, let me know, i'd be more than happy to)
Of course. What does it matter? People are people.





If we start giving one set of rights to one set of people and keep another set of rights for ANOTHER set of people, we walk dangerous dangerous ground.
Everyone should have the same rights regardless of what type of couple they are, why should a hetrosexual couple living together have rights to insurance and such but gay couples can not have the same thing.
yes
Yes. BUT this is why I think it.





I think it is foolish to make marriage a government institution. Marriage is a religious act. The only reason to have it in any law is for taxes.





I think that the government should tax ';common-law relationships.'; That means that if you live with a friend and file together you would have to pay the tax but you would get to do it. If you gay, straight, or whatever it wouldn't matter.





Everyone deserves the same rights under the constitution. If a couple want to get married leave it between them and the churches.
YES! If we are talking about in the US where all men and women are considered to be created equal with certain unalienable rights... I cannot speak for the laws of all countries- but fundamentally all citizens should be privileged and subject to the same laws.
The document that asserted our country's political independence from England says that everyone has ';the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.'; In the landmark Supreme Court Case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, the court ruled that separate but equal was inherently unequal and unconstitutional. Can one truly pursue one's happiness with one's love if they don't have the same legal protections? If separate but equal is unequal wouldn't non-existent be so as well? In fact isn't this really the crux our critics' arguments, that giving us these legal protections would be encouraging a lifestyle they don't agree with so by denying us these said rights they are in fact making it harder to pursue our happiness thus encouraging us to conform to their standards.





ps: you go ty_Kinny!
yes.
nope, they shouldn't because they are not married nor should they be. If we can't define marriage as between a man and a woman then next people will be wanting to marry their pets and animals. They deserve all the rights entitled to humans and U.S. citizens, but do not deserve the benefits of a married couple because they are simply not married nor should be.
NO WAY! If you allow two people of the same sex to marry, what's next. If that's the case why shouldn't three or four people be allowed to get married. Or why not allow a person to marry an animal. How can you call one OK and not the other. The sanctity of marriage must be preserved between one man and one woman.
no absulotly not it is retardid to think that a pair of ';people'; who odveously silly and simple minded should have the same benifets that my wife and i have that we have worked so hard for...... we didnt get any retro active tax breack and nether did any other straight couple
Sure. But couples themselves get few rights just by being a couple. Marriage is what offers a full range of new rights to a couple, and that is not an option for many same-sex couples.
Well of course. As my favorite comedians have pointed out..





They have the same right to be as miserable as the rest of us!
Absolutely.


Can't think of a reason why they shouldn't.
yes, but the only exception should be the hate crime bill. we have special wrongs, so we deserve special rights.
i think they should. laws r so stupid any ways...
Yes and they sould also have the titled married...
Yes. All rights, from tax deductions and benefits to the ability to adopt children.





But they should never be allowed to marry in a Church. Civil union's only. That's religious ground and is not the place for governments, and especially not of the common man. It should be up to the church's congregation, and not every man and woman who happened to be baptised, to make that change. Religion is not for us to meddle in, just like the State is not for religion to meddle in.





SWCasper: Two people are much different than a man and a dog, or a man and 3 women. It is between two people, like marriage. How can you even think that people would think that marrying an animal is the next step after gay marriage? What ignorance!
Everyone should have equal rights as long as they contribute equally to society
I am a heterosexual and have always felt that every human being on this earth should have the same rights as long as they do not harm anyone else.
Of course same-sex couple should have the same rights as heterosexual couples. I don't think that I should be denied any right that the average American has because I choose to be in a relationship with someone of my gender. Everyone deserves to be treated equally, especially in a society that boasts the phrase ';freedom and justice for all!';
lbz71junk---who said anything about retro active and what makes you think homosexual couples don't work hard?


Yes they should have the same rights.