"Little Hawk, apparently you haven't been following the discussions about the matter of same-sex marriage. It is not me who brought the matter up. One of the standard arguments voiced by those who oppose same-sex marriage—or even domestic partnerships—is that it would somehow undermine the institution of marriage and jeopardize the marriages of "normal" people.

But you can never get an explanation out of them as to how it would do this."

I am aware of that side of the discussion, Don, but it doesn't concern me too much (if it concerns me at all...which I don't think it does). I'm more concerned about health issues related to anal sex. I do not consider it a moral issue, but I do consider it a health issue, whether or not that form of intercourse is being used on men OR women.

People's opinion's about whether or not same-sex marriage could "somehow undermine the institution of marriage" are mostly subjective, just as subjective as their opinions about how a change in dress code, for example, could affect public schools or sports or the morale of the police force. It's perfectly legitimate for people to question things like that and wonder about the ramifications of making a change in some traditional custom. It doesn't necessarily indicate that they are "bigots" or "homophobes", it simply indicates that they are traditionalists, and we are all traditionalists about some things in life.

Therefore, I see no particular reason why individuals should be pilloried and personally attacked for having an opinion on either side of the issue of whether or not to institutionalize same-sex marriage.

As for me, I'm in favor of freedom and personal choice, so I have absolutely no objection to same-sex marriage. It doesn't bother or threaten me in the least, and I'm not worried about the tradition being threatened by it. That's my opinion. It doesn't bother me that Akenaton does not share that opinion....and I DO agree in the main with his concerns about the health issues...but that's not a moral issue, as I've said before, it's strictly a health issue.

I also think it's okay for people to do unhealthy things to themselves if they really want to, because I believe in freedom of choice...as long as they aren't affecting others by their actions.

So....although I think smoking is stupid and destructive, I will not take away people's right to do it, although I will take away their right to inflict secondhand smoke on other people inside an enclosed public area. And I will not take away their right to drink, but I will penalize them if they do it while they're driving or if they commit crimes while drunk. And I will not take away anyone's right to have a same-sex relationship or to have a same-sex marriage...because they are perfectly free to do that if they want as far as I'm concerned, and I wish them all happiness....nevertheless I do consider the practice of anal intercourse in ANY relationship to be an unwise and health-endangering practice, and I would advise anyone against it if I were their doctor.

There's nothing physically harmful about anyone kissing someone else or showing affection...opposite sex or same-sex. There's nothing physically harmful about engaging in oral sex (unless you're already carrying an STD of some kind). There's nothing that shocks me about a man doing any of those things with another man, although I don't find it personally appealing, that's for sure. ;-) It's not to my taste particularly, but why should that matter to me if I don't have to do it myself or watch someone else do it? So it doesn't matter to me.

But...anal sex is physically harmful over a period of time (mostly to the recipient) because the human rectum was simply not designed by nature for that sort of activity. It was designed to expel bodily waste, not to have an erect penis shoved up it repeatedly.

Frequent anal intercourse causes damage to the anal musculature and in time can result in incontinence. It can also cause damage to the intestinal wall, internal bleeding, and sometimes some small abrasions to the penis as well, and given the fact that the inside of the rectum is anything but a clean area of the body, that can lead to further health problems. It's an extremely unclean habit to engage in.

These are not reasons, Don, for banning gay relationships nor are they reasons for banning same-sex marriage, but they ARE a health issue in themselves, and that's my concern.

Another concern I have...and it's a big one...is how politicians, demagogues, and special interest groups and fanatics on both the Right and the Left have siezed upon this issue for their own gain, with the intention of dividing and conquering a confused electorate... They BOTH have the gall to pretend to be occupying some kind of "moral high ground"...they BOTH have no respect for anyone with an even slightly divergent opinion...and they are BOTH continually inflaming this issue in the media. My reaction to that is: "A pox on both their houses!"

Those are my concerns.

Now, if Akenaton feels that a change in a tradition...ANY tradition... is upsetting to him, he has a right to feel that way without being termed a "bigot". And if he feels that it's a health issue, he's right, in my opinion...as regards anal intercourse.