when does the education start ?

Originally Posted by downquark1

I can't understand why so many Americans are so dead against gay marriage. I listen to the reasons but to me they sound, flawed and flimsy at best. Which leads me to think they have a prejudice which is making them see reason when it's not there. Equally it could be myself that is the prejudiced one.

Because, IMO, there is still a strong religious element to the USA and, as far as many in "middle America" are concerned, homosexuality is an offence against god and nature.

They've already failed to keep it outlawed, so now they're just digging in their heels and trying to cause as many difficulties as possible to prevent gays from having equal rights.

Originally Posted by timewarrior2001

Why should people accept same sex couples adopting children?

Wrong question. The question should be "why should they *not*...?"

Is there any *proof* that bringing up a child in a same-sex relationship is going to be "damaging" to the child? (Or, at least, more damaging than more than a few opposite sex relationships have caused...!)

I certainly don't think so, but the attitude from some quarters appears to be that because it's not "natural" or "mainstream" or "normal" or whatever other excuse they may choose, then it's automatically *wrong*, which is nonsense.

Graham as ignorant as you think I am I will still beg to differ.

Fine, that's your right.

The fact I dont care and the fact I am not in the slightest bit concerned over who is gay and who isnt has not a damn thing to do with anything. By your reckoning I am making things worse by doing nothing.

But it is not just that you are just "doing nothing"! It is the fact that when I asked...

"how, exactly, do you propose to reduce or eliminate that "intolerance" if children are *not* taught that it is acceptable and *should* be tolerated?"

Your response was...

"I dont. Is the simple answer. Nothing that concerns nor bothers me. Quite frankly I dont give a damn."

Now I don't see any other way to read this, than that you consider intolerance to be *acceptable*!

You continued: "Let them get on with, and stop telling people they must accept them."

Yes, I agree entirely that we should "let them get on with it", but if we do *NOT* inform children that what they are doing *is* acceptable, that will only enable prejudice and bigotry to flourish.

If thats the case why arent you doing anything about womens rights in Afghanistan? Why arent you actively campaigning for human rights in China?

How do you know that I am *NOT*??

Why? because it doesnt affect you.

Bulls$$t. Don't try to force *your* opinions and motivations onto me.

That said, I still dont think its something that should be openly declared. You dont see me walking down the street making a scene because I am hetrosexual do you? no I simply get on with.

If you are heterosexual and choose to kiss your girlfriend on the street, do you get people shouting comments and abuse?

If you are white and your girlfriend is black, what then?

If you are the same sex as your partner...?

Nobody is talking about making a scene (yes, ok, I know there are some "militant queers" out there who will deliberately do so, but I don't think they particularly help their cause), they're talking about letting people, as you say, "get on with it", without anyone being concerned.

But if a child sees two men kissing and *has not* learned that it is a perfectly acceptable lifestyle choice, or, more importantly, has had prejudices *forced* upon them by bigots, they will react in an "unacceptable" way.

You dont see me bitchin because I have no legal rights to see my own son do you? no I get on with it. I look out for my family instead of trying to right all the wrongs in the world.

I don't know anything about you or your son, so I cannot comment on your case. However the fact is that there *are* some people who do "bitch" about this and will try to do something about it. Do you support their actions or could you "not care less"?

Simply put I disagree with same sex couples adopting children. I dont abuse homosexual people and I often enjoy nights out with the homosexual friends I have both male and female, their views on the subject? if they wanted to have kids they wouldnt be gay.

ROFLALAL!!

So *they* don't want to have children, fine. That's their choice. But to imply that *they* are somehow representative of *all* gay couples is ludicrous!

The fact is that thare *ARE* gay couples out there who want children. It's easier for lesbians, of course, because all they need is a sperm donor, but male couples need to either adopt or get a surrogate mother, neither of which may be a viable or acceptable option.

I return to my original question. Do you have any *PROOF* that bringing up a child in a same-sex relationship is *really* damaging to a child?

Originally Posted by timewarrior2001

Because some people are not quite ready to welcome homosexuality with open arms.

And some people are not quite ready to welcome mixed race couples or Catholics marrying Protestants or Arabs marrying Israelis or any other prejudiced bigotted nonsense...

[philip.j.fry]

Okay, I would have few questions for the parents.

Firstly, at which age do they feel it appropriate for their daughter to learn that there exists such a thing as homosexuality? and at which age do they feel it appropriate for her to learn about heterosexuality?

Secondly, would they be happy to let their daughter read a book with a prince and princess kissing? From the information in the article, I'm guessing that this book was taken from the library by the choice of the daughter, if that is the case, have they sat with her and asked her why she chose that book and what she thinks of the content?

Thirdly, why do they deem it acceptable for them to hold on to the book and keep it from circulation? It may be against their beliefs, and if they want the right to chose what they think is best for their daughter, are they right to deny other parents/children at that school the right to read that book according to those peoples beliefs?

Finally, if in ten years time, their daughter tells them that she is gay, do they think that they will still believe that they were right to deny access to this book and similar material to their daughter?