I am not sure at all why standing up for people's human and civil rights should be seen as promoting homosexuality. The two are not inclusive in any way.

The word 'lifestyle' keeps being thrown up too. That suggests that many have a choice over their sexuality. They don't. I know the majority here know this but it is worth mentioning again. I am sure, considering the repugnant hatred that issues out from homophobes opinions, their physical attacks on homosexuals resulting in injury and death often, that if homosexuals could choose their sexuality that many would choose to be straight. Not out of disgust. NOt out of a loathing for who they are. Not out of feeling wrong. But out of safety. One thing is VERY apparent. While it has got better, being gay is not as safe as being straight, and it seems it will be some time before it is. Why would anyone choose such danger? Simple. It's not a choice nor lifestyle. It is who they are.

Denying gay people equal rights on any grounds is not right. Why should they not enjoy the same rights as the majority? Why should it affect any of the majority that gay folk are treated equally? What are those that oppose these equal rights feared of?

I suspect they fear what is going off in their own minds more than anything. What is wrong with live and let live unless you are DIRECTLY affected by something someone does that is an invasion of your rights?

We all breathe the same air. We all live on the smae planet. WE all have more in common with each other than we don't. Why is it so hard to live with that?

Society is harmed far more by messages of hatred, by bigotry, by violence, murder, etc. than any marraige being allowed for a gay couple. You can make being gay illegal. That does not make the law right. As we know the law often gets it wrong. It seems they are now trying to put some things right by giving equal and full rights to all sorts of minorities. So it should be.

I have a gay couple live two doors away from me. They bother no-one. I have many friends who are gay. It makes no odds at all. I have friends who are hetrosexual and most my neighbours are too, as far as I know. But it has nothing to do with me. My only concern is how we treat each other. Is that too simple a model for people to follow?

mp