A lot of good posts in here.

I lead by example and stand up for myself at every opportunity publicly regarding Gay issues.

When partners are together for many years, and have assets together, when one dies or is hospitalized, things get very sticky, needlessly. Unless of course you go to an attorney and incur the added expense and headache to cover your ass.

As a member of the Gay community, I support a couples right to a legally binding Civil Union, or marriage.

"I said when the whole 'gay marriage' debate started that it wasn’t about equality but forcing our lifestyle on the general populous"

People said that about women voting and black rights as well. "Why rock the boat, just let things stay the same", "You're just causing problems", "women don't want to vote, only a few radicals.", "Gays don't want to marry, it's just a political ploy by radicals."

In 1776 Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Equality isn't provided only to heterosexuals, blacks or women. We are all equal, and we are all equally guaranteed the same rights. There is nothing "right wing" or "radical" about this view, it is one of the core values that America is based upon.

"forcing the 'marriage' issue has done the gay community more harm than good in the long run."

Standing up for yourself is never a bad thing, it lets people know that you have worth as a human being. "In the long run" when we keep coming back, and coming back, and coming back, people will know that we will not rest until we are considered equal. My .0000002 cents. :high: