Southern Baptist leader, Albert Mohler says Gay Marriage is a reality and Christians need to begin planning how they are going to deal with this.
http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=7676&MediaType=1&Category=26
OnTopMagazine looks interesting; never ran into this before. . . .justin
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Jonathan wonders. . . . . . .
What might the divorce rate of gay couples be? Not that it proves much given the short span of time gay marriage has been legal, but do you also see gay couples enhancing the status of marriage by sticking with their commitment, maintaining their loyalty, and seldom seeking a divorce? Why should we gays know any better, or keep our fidelity more sacred, or ennoble the married state through more profound and longer-lasting commitment? But we do. Why indeed should we be the ones defending marriage against those who too easily seek a divorce?
-Jonathan
Political News Trivia ;-)
For the first time ever, the social secretary for the President is an openly gay MAN ! Way to go, Mr Obama. . .. ;-)
| This article from the Christian Science Monitor was written by "a writer for a non-profit group". . . .sounds an awful lot like Focus on Family in Colorado Springs. . . . .the 'war' broadens. . .Obama vs GOD. . .. . . hahahaaaaa | ||
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2011/0225/Obama-decision-on-gay-marriage-shows-government-trying-to-abolish-God?cmpid=addthis_mailto
| Looks like Ole Newt is back seeking limelight . . [whatever that is...lol] | ||
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2011/02/25/newt-gingrich-obama-could-be-impeached-over-gay-marriage-reversal
Interesting observation. . . and/or conjecture. Time will tell. . . .notice TIME and not TIMES. . .LOL
I want to see/hear the reactions of some of those alleged RED STATES. . . .I mean the real people, not the press or politicians. I am not convinced they are all happy, gleeful and gay about this stuff. . . ..are you?
Justin
Gay Marriage Seems to Wane as Conservative Issue
The reserved Republican response suggests President Obama may suffer little political damage as he evolves into a more aggressive advocate of gay rights.
http://nyti.ms/ht5KRg
Posted: 25 Feb 2011 06:05 AM PST  In the mythical land of perfect love, two partners are supposed to be hot for one another almost all the time – or at least sexually available to each other. Some guy you just met at a bar might turn you down, but not your lover, right?For couples nowadays, there can be a lot of pressure to have not just a good sex life, but a great sex life. Books abound with titles like “The Art of Sexual Ecstasy,” “Total Sex” and “Hot Monogamy.” (And those are just some of the books on my bookshelf!) If we’re not engaged in wildly passionate lovemaking, we suspect there is something wrong with us, or wrong with our partner. Or maybe we’re just not right for one another, we think. The truth is that two lovers having the same level of sex drive is almost as unlikely as winning the lottery. In most couples one partner’s drive is higher than the other’s. Sometimes that difference is significant. When that happens, sexologists and relationship therapists describe the situation as one of desire discrepancy – a difference in how much the two people want sex. Desire discrepancy isn’t unusual, but it sure can be uncomfortable for the two parties involved. The person with more drive may feel rejected when the lower-drive partner isn’t interested in sex. He’s not interested in me, he thinks. He doesn’t think I’m hot. Maybe he’s having an affair. . Things aren’t better for the lower-drive guy. He may feel inadequate as a lover or may question his masculinity. What’s wrong with me, he thinks. Or he gets angry at his lover and blames him. All he wants is sex. Why does he have to be such a pain in the ass? Because fears about our own inadequacies can really push our buttons, the couple with a significant desire discrepancy can get into some pretty bruising arguments – especially if the guys involved are feeling so defensive that they can’t really hear their partner’s point of view. Desire is controlled by several factors. One is testosterone level, which is present in both men and women. The higher the level of testosterone, the higher the level of sex drive. There is a considerable variation in testosterone level from person to person. Levels often decline with age. Replacement therapy sometimes helps, but it’s controversial and may have other health effects. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks before considering the new hormone therapies available. For most guys, the problem is not so much hormone levels as stress levels. Worry about work, bills or the relationship itself can really take the zing out of sexuality. Too little restful sleep also causes interest in sex to drop. If there is a difference in sex drive within your relationship, there are several things you can do to help. Find a way to talk about the issue without accusing one another or becoming defensive. Speak up for yourself without pressuring your partner. Don’t accuse him of anything. Be supportive and gentle, and affirm your love for one another and your commitment to the relationship. Talk with one another about what you really want – and make sure that you are able to hear your partner’s point of view. Get professional help if you need it. Sexual intimacy is a place where we can feel uncomfortably vulnerable at times. Negotiating through difficult spots brings a couple closer together and make sex more fun and more meaningful. John R. Ballew, M.S. an author and contributor to GAYTWOGETHER, is a licensed professional counselor in private practice in Atlanta. He specializes in issues related to coming out, sexuality, relationships and spirituality. If you have any questions or comments you can submit them directly to GAYTWOGETHER or John R. Ballew, M.S. - www.bodymindsoul.org.  |
| Again, THANK YOU to Michael @ gaytwogether.com |
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Marrige Two-Step Shuffle
Marriage two-step: Forward in Maryland, backward in Indiana by Dana Rudolph Keen News Service Wednesday Feb 23, 2011 States move on same-sex marriage. Marriage equality and legal recognition for same-sex relationships took a few big steps forward this past week -- in Maryland, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Rhode Island. But they took a few steps backward, too -- in Indiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming. The most dramatic action right now is taking place in Maryland, where supporters of a marriage equality bill have picked up some critical support but are still counting votes to stop any procedural effort to defeat the measure. Equality advancing: Maryland: Debate is scheduled to begin Feb. 23 on the marriage equality bill in Maryland. The final vote in the Senate could come as early as Saturday but may not come until next week, depending on the amount of discussion and whether opponents try a filibuster. The face of the opposition is not all Republican. There are 35 Democrats in the 47-member Senate, and not all support the bill. But the measure recently picked up several additional Democratic supporters and appears to have the 24 votes needed to pass. Ironically, it was comments from opponents of the measure during a recent public hearing on the bill that seemed to have bolstered support. Senator Jim Brochin (D-Baltimore County), who had previously backed only civil unions, announced in a press release Feb. 9 that he had been appalled by some of the comments made by opponents of the bill, who "vilified the gay community, and described gays and lesbians as pedophiles." Brochin was one of seven members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee who voted Feb. 17 to send the bill to the floor. Four committee members voted against it. But supporters of the bill are trying to get enough votes (29) to break a filibuster, should one develop. Neither Equality Maryland nor the office of the bill’s sponsor, Senator Jamie Raskin (D-Montgomery), would confirm whether they have those votes, but Senate President Thomas Mike Miller (D-Prince George’s) told the Baltimore Sun he would work to stop any filibuster and end debate. Meanwhile, the Maryland House of Delegates has scheduled a hearing on its version of the bill for Feb. 25. It is expected to pass the House, and Governor Martin O’Malley (D) has said he would sign it. Hawaii: The Hawaii state Senate voted 18-5 on Feb. 16 to pass a bill allowing both same- and opposite-sex couples to obtain civil union recognition. Democratic Governor Neil Abercrombie, a strong LGBT civil rights supporter, plans to sign the measure into law Feb. 23. Colorado: Colorado is considering civil unions, too. State Senator Pat Steadman (D-Denver) used the occasion of Valentine’s Day to introduce a bill into the Colorado Senate, seeking to establish civil union recognition for both same- and opposite-sex couples. State Rep. Mark Ferrandino (D-Denver) is sponsoring a version of the bill in the House. All 20 Democrats in the 35-member Senate have co-sponsored, so it is expected to pass there. But in the House, Republicans hold a 33 to 32 majority, so even though 27 of 32 Democrats have co-sponsored the measure, the road to passage is much steeper. Rep. Ferrandino told the Denver Post he believes there will be Republican support if the bill reaches the floor. Same-sex couples in the state have some limited rights based on a 2009 designated beneficiary law, but marriage for them was banned under the state constitution in 2006 through a voter-passed constitutional amendment. Delaware: Delaware is a third state with civil union legislation. The newly formed Equality Delaware announced it has drafted civil union legislation and that state Rep. Melanie George (D-Bear) and state Senator David Sokola (D-Newark) have agreed to be lead sponsors, who will file the bills in March. Washington: Washington State already has domestic partnership status and, on Valentine’s Day, State Rep. Jim Moeller (D-Vancouver) and State Senator Ed Murray (D-Seattle) introduced bills seeking full marriage equality for same-sex couples. But the legislature has a hodge-podge of relationship bills before it. The House is considering a bill that would ask voters whether to ban same-sex marriage under the state constitution. And the state House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 17 approved a bill to recognize legal relationships of same-sex couples from other jurisdictions as domestic partnerships under state law. It now goes to the House floor, where its 55 co-sponsors ensure passage. There is, however, no corresponding Senate bill. Rhode Island: Hundreds attended a House Judiciary Committee hearing Feb. 9 on a marriage equality bill, Independent Governor Lincoln Chafee, a long-time support of LGBT equality, has said he supports it, and Democrats hold large majorities in both chambers. But all that may not be enough. Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed opposes marriage equality, making it unclear whether a bill can pass. New Mexico: The House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee tabled three bills Feb. 17 that would have asked voters to ban marriage for same-sex couples under the state constitution and to ban recognition of same-sex marriages and civil unions from other jurisdictions. This likely kills the bills for the session. Hostility advancing: Indiana: The Indiana House passed a bill 70-26 that would ask voters to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. Ten Democrats voted in favor of the bill, including Minority Leader Patrick Bauer (D-South Bend), who had blocked a vote on such a bill when he was speaker during the last session. The bill now goes to the Senate, where it is also expected to pass. In order to go before voters, however, the measure must pass both chambers during next year’s legislative session. Meanwhile, State Senators Scott Schneider (R-Indianapolis) and Carlin Yoder (R-Middlebury) have introduced a bill that seeks to prevent state-funded colleges from offering medical or other emergency benefits to same-sex partners of University employees. New Hampshire: The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing Feb. 17 on three marriage-related bills: one would repeal the existing marriage equality law, one would establish "domestic unions" for same-sex couples, and one would ban both marriage and other forms of relationship recognition. New Hampshire Freedom to Marry said the House Sergeant-at-Arms estimated a record attendance of 800 people, at least 700 of whom opposed repeal. Bill sponsors Rep. David Bates (R-Windham) and Rep. Leo Pepino (R-Manchester) asked the committee, however, not to take action on the bills until next year, citing a need to focus on the economy. This is in accord with the wishes expressed by Republican state party leaders in January. Bates said they have told him the bill would be considered in 2012. The committee has not yet confirmed they will wait, however. Wyoming: The state Senate in Wyoming passed a bill Feb. 18 that seeks to prevent the state from recognizing marriages and civil unions of same-sex couples from other jurisdictions. An amendment was added to let couples in civil unions from other states have access to Wyoming courts to resolve disputes about their relationships. The House had passed the legislation last month, but must now do so again because of the amendment. A vote is expected this week. One other anti-gay bill -- which would ask voters to amend the state constitution to ban marriage for same-sex couples -- looks dead for this session, however. Joe Corrigan, chair of Wyoming Equality, said in an interview that Republicans do not have the votes needed to send it to the floor and it has been pulled from the calendar. North Carolina: Senator James Forrester (R-Gaston) filed a bill Feb. 22 that would ask voters to approve a state constitutional amendment stating that marriage between a man and a woman is the only recognized domestic union in the state. A companion bill is expected in the House. Forrester has filed similar bills each session since 2004. Democrats have stopped the bill in committee every time, but they lost control of the General Assembly in November 2010 for the first time in more than a century. © 2011 by Keen News Service. All rights reserved. 
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