Gay Right To Adopt And Serve In Military Favored By Large Majority Of Americans

Today, GLAAD released a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive in the wake of the passage of and protests against California's Proposition 8.

The survey reveals that majorities of Americans favor a broad range of policies and legal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[ObjectiveRealist]

Fascism is a political philosophy of *government* and as such absolutely does not apply to citizens, unless their actions have government support. The Bush administration's persecution of qualified liberals working in, and seeking work in the Justice Department qualifies. Actions taken by private citizens in protest against Proposition 8 do not. Newt Gingrich's are an IDIOTIC non-sequitur to anybody who did our own Poli-Sci homework. What a doosh!

[Smith808]

Mr. Magister,
It is clear the basis of all your arguments is that you view homosexuality as an "act," not an identity. What's particularly unsettling is that you use this nonsense to accommodate your argument that sex is not a civil rights issue. (and btw, it IS when the government regulates sex between two consenting adults). Sex is an "expression" of desire; as is love, but it is NOT who you are.

Your distorted logic makes apparent that your issue isn't with gay rights, it's with gay people (and you seem to be hung up on "sex" for reasons that are probably uncomfortable for you to explore).

Minority status is determined by treatment. That moniker is only replaced by equality. The degree to which you dismiss homosexuality as an orientation --an identity -- is the very reason you are incapable of acknowledging any humanity (or rights) for those who are gay and those who wish to be married.

If you cannot see the universality in love, affection, sexuality and desire, it makes me wonder to what extent you are able to appreciate and enjoy relationships in your own life.

If you are, indeed, capable of compassion (or just able to let people be), you might want to start opening yourself up to the possibility that someone you care for is -- or could some day come out as -- gay -- be it a relative or a child. Hope you make the effort to love and understand, rather than show

[chaos4700]

That's very civil of you but appealing to the MagisterLudi's better nature will only get you a tirade of insults. Assuming he has the courage to reply to you at all.

[carsntrucks]

Minority status is determined by the number of people of a certain type exist. Gays and lesbians would still be minorities even if they didn't feel slighted by society.

[abbeyroad]

the things you support / do not support is irrelevant.

[MagisterLudi]

"The survey reveals that majorities of Americans favor a broad range of policies and legal protections for (LGBT) people."

So do I. Except marriage. Also, I used to be for gay adoption right. But after having read a whole heap of ab-usive and hallu-cinatory comments on 8... Not anymore.
I DO support registered domestic partners law and gays in military.
P>S. what is this thing with LGBT-- what is this a sandwich or an industrial chemical?

[Eric8869]

So how many foster kids are you taking in if you're against gays adopting kids???....yeah I didn't think so.

My gay friends are literally saving the lives of the foster kids who was abused and starved by their straight parents. You'd rather see these kids age out of the system and become prostitutes than have loving homes. You're a real humanitarian,

On no on 8 - the anger was justified. Now gay people can die alone while their partners won't be let in to see them. You haven't studied the gay marriage issue obviously. Domestic partners do not have the same rights.

You support gays in the military - well with YOUR backhanded support I'll pass thanks.

[MagisterLudi]

"Now gay people can d-ie alone while their partners won't be let in to see them."

California registered domestic partner ( DP) laws CLEARLY allows gay partners to avoid this scenario. You know it and I know it. So please SH0-UT UP with your drama.
Facts:
" A registered DP has the same right as a spouse to make medical decisions for his or her partner if the partner becomes mentally or physically incapacitated."

"Registered domestic partners have the right to visit one another in the hospital. "

Right to file for state disability benefits on behalf of a disabled domestic partner.

Right to be appointed conservator and to make legal & financial decisions for an incapacitated DP.

[antaeus]

Thank goodness you don't sit on the Supreme Court.

[Smith808]

That's rich, Magister.

Your need to feel offended by a few people who have had their rights taken away is merely a self-serving excuse to disguise your own bigotry.

Uh, you "used to" support gay marriage and gay adoptions?
I'm sorry, but how is your "affront" equivalent in any way to what happened to gays and lesbians with Prop 8's passing?

This is exactly why gay rights shouldn't be a ballot issue. The day you are able to defend why "you people" rape, murder and abuse each other and your own children is the day you can speak on a level of principle to me and everyone else in the world, Magister.

I'm a liberal gal and I support "straight" rights, but sometimes "they" can be so abusive when "they" want what's fair and that's where they lose my support." Ridiculous!

I'm not sure ANYONE would want your support if your principles vacillate so easily.

[AmandaBC]

"Your need to feel offended by a few people who have had their rights taken away is merely a self-serving excuse to disguise your own bigotry."

Clap clap clap.

ML is one the most disgusting bigots here on huffpo.

[MagisterLudi]

In my professional community, as well as other artistic communities gay activist have imposed a Stalinist regime. I am not exaggerating. Recently a theater director was forced to resign. Incompetence? Embezzlement? No. His cr-ime was a $1000 contribution to Yes on 8! Shame on gay community for this.
This is getting out of hand. I always viewed gay community as tolerant. No longer. Proof? Just read the posts on this thread.

[chaos4700]

Man, I am so glad you live somewhere in Europe and not over here. You changed your opinion on gay adoption rights because of some comments you read here on HuffPo? I knew your convictions were discriminatory, but I didn't realize they were weak too.

[carsntrucks]

It's no different than people who decide they're either Atheists or think the entire idea of religion is stupid and pointless based on the actions of a few people. Perhaps vindictiveness is inappropriate here, but do understand where it comes from. People see and hear everything you do. You can turn people vindictive if you're quick to condemn as you are in your response.

[Amennyc]

the rainbow flag sucks. wish there was a vote.

[TimmySlagle]

Is this supposed to mean something? So the majority of Americans share an opinion.

A majority of Americans also believe that a marriage is between a man and a woman.

Why is one majority irrelevant, but the other newsworthy?

[Eric8869]

It just shows that attitutudes are changing. If most straight people knew the actual facts of the gay marriage debate they might feel differently about that too. However you have lies and distortions being given to them by the religious fanatics in our country.

[TimmySlagle]

Changing? Really?

Do you have a similar poll from 1998 to prove that point?

[functor]

Religion has nothing to do with it baby. It is a matter of COMMON SENSE!

[carsntrucks]

Good point. The other big point is, Americans have never been roundly against what they would perceive as gay rights. It's just most of them believe in man/woman being called marriage, and the gay community uses their support as a litmus test for our overall acceptance level and it's never really been accurate.

[StevenKeirstead]

Until 1989 a more Americans than not were of the opinion homosexual sex should be criminal. The contemporary gay rights movement began in earnest in 1969, so it took 20 years for gay rights activists to convince most Americans that gays and lesbians were not criminals. It may take another 20 years to get universal employment nondiscrimination laws and marriage equality for homosexuals, but I hope true equality comes earlier.

[bluguy8]

there are so many children needing to be adopted -- most children want a good home and someone to care for and love them. they don't care if that person is gay . its the GOP that has problems and they don't care about the children either-- another case of pass the damn buck

[wedgie]

You're d.a.m.n right we support gays.

What the f**k are you gonna do about it, b.i.t.c.h?

**

[PhilipB]

Civil rights for all citizens should not be based on a popularity contest, or popularity polls.
Enough of this nonsense. Reasoned thinking, based on the constitution, is what is needed.
Of course Gay couples should be able to marry and adopt children and serve in the military.

[MagisterLudi]

Gay community is not a minority in a true sense. Most minorities understand this fact, hence across the board minority citizens supported 8.
A society has a right to decide which behavior is to be encouraged, is which is not.
Gay devia-nce should be tolerated but not encouraged.
Two men's desire for anal a-na-l se-xx is not a sufficient basis for civil right claims... sorry but there's no other way to express this. This about tolerated behavior, nothing else. And society, in a democracy way should have it's say. Same for age of consent, amount of spouses, divorce-- these are social morality issues decided upon by the society. Think about.

[Smith808]

"two men's desire for a-na-l se-xx is not a sufficient basis for civil rights claims..."

Wow...and YOU were offended by the reaction to Prop 8's passing?

Just because a-na-l se-xx represents YOUR innate motivation for job, housing, marriage, and adoption rights doesn't mean the rest of the human race is wired that way.

You seem obsessed with "sex" rather than sexual orientation...

Shut the blinds and go back to your gay internet p.or.n, Magister.

[AmandaBC]

"Gay devia-nce should be tolerated but not encouraged."

Please tell us, is nature "deviant"? You know there's a lot of homosexuality going on among animals, don't you?

Homophobic right-wing immigrants from Russia should be tolerated, but not encouraged.

[chaos4700]

"A society has a right to decide which behavior is to be encouraged, is which is not. "

So, do you think segregation in the American South was appropriate? That society decided it was a behavior they wanted to encourage -- and of course, slavery prior to that. Are religious practices considered behaviors, then? How about Nazi Germany mandating that Jews wear yellow Stars of David? How does that fall into which "behaviors" a society has a "right" to discourage?

[ObjectiveRealist]

[
A society has a right to decide which behavior is to be encouraged, is which is not.
Gay devia-nce should be tolerated but not encouraged.
]

A household and a church have the right to decide which behavior is to be encouraged and which is not. In this society, the right to pursuit of happiness belongs to each person equally, regardless of what consensual sexual behaviors adults practice in their pursuit of it. Your argument is un-Biblical and un-patriotic.

[Moxo]

Y'know, our flag would look much better if the stars were all the colors of the rainbow!

I think I'll do a dye job on mine for next 4th. of July.

[DoctorWhoDat]

Gays would show up for duty ( u n l i k e B u s h ) and control their weapon better than C h e n e y

[functor]

How do you know?...,are you..........?

[Eric8869]

Cause most the right wing pundits and politicians got out of serving their country. If you want a list just ask. I have them all. (Rush etc)

[chaos4700]

I can back him up on that. I'm not gay, but my boyfriend is. :D

[ObjectiveRealist]

The fact that lesser rights according to one's means of pursuit of sexual happiness is even "on the table" just emphasizes the intellectual vacuum that is inseparable from religious extremism.

No more tax loopholes for any organization that engages in any political activity. They waste our time and distract the public from things that matter, for a net cost to society, not the presumed benefit to society that was the basis of the current tax exempt status of non-profits, which was only introduced in the early 20th century, if I recall correctly.

[functor]

The Land of Sodomites!

[bluguy8]

grow up and get over it

[Eric8869]

Unless we're sodomizing you - then what do you care.

[functor]

NO TO SODOMY!