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A majority of Americans support same-sex marriage.

For the first time ever, most Americans are in favor of same-sex marriage. Though gay marriage is only legal in five states and recognized in three others, a poll by CNN and Opinion Research found that fifty-one percent of people in the U.S. favor it. It’s a victory, to be sure, but not a colossal one — until public opinion becomes legislation. It does, however, say a lot about our country.

Slowly but surely, we’re starting to loosen up about homosexuality. The media has a lot to do with it, and I commend media outlets for taking that step. In America, if it’s on TV, it’s okay. This poll is living proof. This points to a clear generational shift as well — sixty percent of people under fifty were in favor. Which means, as soon as five to ten years from now, the discourse around homosexuality and same-sex rights could be completely different.

Commentarium (29 Comments)

Apr 22 11 - 8:38am
JCF

It should be the job of prison officials to prevent sex abuse in prisons, whether the victim is transgender or not. How about they work on that, first?

Apr 22 11 - 12:03pm
P

Yes, that's true and lots of groups are working on that (Google PREA). I don't know whether the state should have to PAY for the operation, but if we are for trans rights (and the folks at Hooksexup and most of its readers would probably say they were), shouldn't she be treated by the state in a manner that's aligned with her gender identification (including being housed in a women's facility)? I don't know Cali law at all, but my guess is that if biological males who ID as female are allowed to be in a women's facility at all, it's probably req'd that she be post-op.

Apr 22 11 - 4:11pm
meh

Or we could do what the rest of the world is starting to do, which is build mixed-gender prisons (e.g., https://goo.gl/VETJO) to avoid this entire debate. I am sure it will be centuries before our absurd hangups about sex would allow any such advances to creep into penal institutions, but this is a long-term problem so it needs a long-term solution.

Apr 25 11 - 11:58am
P

@meh Interesting link, thanks. I have to say, I came back to this article after the weekend because it really irked me and I wanted to revisit the language. The line "she is biologically a man and killed someone in cold blood" is really awful. It implies that once someone commits a crime, they are no longer entitled to their own identity. It's disappointing that Hooksexup sounds so much like a right-wing, law-and-order-obsessed politician here.

Apr 22 11 - 8:44am
startmakingsense

Regarding Lyralisa, I think it's ridiculous that this debate is even happening. S/he killed someone over clothing. The fact that they're alive, period, should be gratifying enough, and now they want the state to fund a non-essential surgery?

Three squares a day and a roof over their head on the taxpayer's dime isn't enough-now we have to fund sexual reassignment because a MURDERER would feel more COMFORTABLE in a different facility?

Apr 23 11 - 5:50am
Betty

Here's what's ridiculous if you actually take the time to read the article: the state acknowledges that she's female enough to be giving her female hormones since 2003, but does not acknowledge that she's female enough to be in a women's prison. It sounds like she just wants to stop getting raped and sexually abused, and that's why she's pushing for the state to fund the surgery ... and yes, I guess that's a comfort issue, startmakingsense, but if the state acknowledges that she's female enough to deserve female hormones, then they should move her into a women's prison (I have a feeling that her having breasts just makes her more of a target).

Apr 22 11 - 8:44am
faulknersaysrelax

We're out-evolving sex? My god, Demolition Man was right.

Apr 22 11 - 4:14pm
meh

Bring on the Orgasmotron! (https://goo.gl/kgjRU) Woody Allen turned out to be right after all.

Apr 22 11 - 12:28pm
well

maybe my wife has simply "evolved" past giving a shit about how she looks or what she acts like in the bedroom. the constant complaining and sweat pants and farting is a real turn on.

Apr 22 11 - 9:17pm
OMG!

Quit fooling around with my wife!

Apr 23 11 - 1:48pm
bk

Oh you guys.

Apr 22 11 - 1:01pm
L..

Wait, is there something current/newsworthy about the Jocelyn Elders piece? Is there something that JUST happened that led to us talking about this now? My only sense from the "according to her" is that she wrote about this in a book that was released recently or gave a speech or something. SOMETHING that would lead to this being in a piece about "this week." Also, what does this have to do with congress masturbating. I don't get it.

Apr 27 11 - 10:49am
NameCaller

Not to mention that having Elders talk about sex makes me want to become celibate.

Apr 22 11 - 4:04pm
uh, okay

I don't believe that most Americans are in favor of gay marriage. I believe that many say that they are in favor of it to avoid the backlash of being called bigots, having their businesses boycotted or having their homes or businesses vandalized. State legislatures can be swayed by threats imposed by the gay marriage lobby but when it is left to the voice of the people, that "majority" suddenly evaporates. What say ye, haters?

Apr 22 11 - 4:29pm
meh

Not a hater, but since these survey are usually anonymous and only aggregate results are published, there is little chance of getting boycotted or experiencing any backlash based on one's responses. More likely explanation is that people are starting to get that like their own marriage, the same sex variety is not about having weird sex, but about insurance, taxes, social security, health decisions, and thousand other pedestrian rights that come with the "married" label.

Apr 23 11 - 5:52am
Betty

If you're a hater but are worried about backlash enough to say that you support gay marriage in an anonymous poll, then hopefully you will be worried enough about backlash to vote pro-gay.

Apr 23 11 - 8:57pm
Phee

Thanks, Meh. That's basically it. My darling gay friend wants to be able to marry his long-term partner because he wants to be *legally* able to make end-of-life medical decisions for him - and he for him - in the case that it becomes necessary. "Marriage", so far, is the only way that's possible.

Apr 25 11 - 7:18am
JCF

Medical Power-Of-Attorney. That is even stronger than marriage when it comes to making end-of-life medical decisions. (I think gays should be able to legally marry, but this isn't the reason.)

Apr 22 11 - 4:12pm
uh, okay

For hell's sake, what prisoner in a male prison doesn't think he would be better off in a women's prison? I don't think any kind of abuse is acceptable, but to expect the state to pay for your surgery? Fucky you, you're a felon and have very little rights. Try obeying the fucking law and then we'll talk about your surgery.

Apr 22 11 - 4:15pm
Molly

I really hope the shift in how people feel same-sex relationship will eventually lead to ALL Americans having the right to 'marry' what ever their sexual orientation. Same-sex civil partnerships have been legal in the UK since 2005. A really positive step forward in a more liberalised Britain I think

Mollyxxx

https://mollysdailykiss.com/

Apr 27 11 - 10:51am
NameCaller

Should more than two people (of indeterminate sex) be allowed to marry?

If you say no, then you're worse than Hitler.

Apr 23 11 - 7:00pm
AT

There is no defense for "two girls, one cup." But if that guy wanted to film himself eating his own poop and vomit, I guess that would be somewhat different. I just don't see him doing that anytime soon.

Apr 23 11 - 7:10pm
AT

"No matter how you feel about the films he makes, he should have the right to make them — unless they’re directly harming people." Arguably eating vomit and poop is directly harming people. Even if they do it for money (goodness forbid one ever finds oneself in that desperate undignified situation in which one has to eat poop/vomit for money).

Apr 24 11 - 12:11am
PJE

"...he should have the right to make them — unless they’re directly harming people" what about if they're directly hurting animals? "Gang Bang Horse" which Mr. Isaacs has said involves bestiality crosses a BIG line for me. Hurting animals is wrong and does not equal art.

Apr 27 11 - 3:23pm
bond

there are alot more aginst gay same sex marrage than forbut we are not being herd REMINDER GOD IS WATCHING and when that last minunite comes Will he or wont he let you go up to heaven
Im also stating this tord politics Who get payed to TAKE AMERICANS JOBS OVER SEAS you will get yours

Apr 27 11 - 3:32pm
bond

I WANT TO GO IN AS THE PERSON WHO LOOKS AT ALL THE prisoners records and decide do they STAY or DO THEY go IM not affraid to put murders to DEATH nor sick people that take children 1ST on TV. THAT KIND would get it copped off and be SHO hung OR any other way possible it IS TIME FOR ALL THE PRISONS TO BE SHUT DOWN TAX PAYERS SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO FEED THSES JERKS let me in GIVE me the RIGHT to Change THE LAWS SO THE PRISONS GO AWAY EACH TIME SOME ONE IS PUT TO DEATH BY ME ALL 50 STATES would have no choice but to watch it happen

Aug 27 11 - 12:34am
tjwhat thell. fo

What shay does that hvr to.do with same sex marriage ll

Aug 27 11 - 12:32am
tj

O don't agree !!whybdoess that.make me a hoomphobe?

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