Thousands attend same-sex marriage rally in Boston

In my opinion, nobody really wants EQUAL rights. Instead, they want SPECIAL rights. They want to be preferred based on whatever group they happen to belong to today. To a large degree this is unbalanced egoism at its best!

Sensuality can, in fact, be just as big of a problem as any other addiction. Regardless, these base desires bring the individual closer to the ranks of animals, simply put.

whoever bob is he sucks!!!! Im not gay but i have no problem with it, thats just how some people feel. you cannot help who you are attracted to, its not something you choose...if i was attracted to a woman then i would definitely pursue her but it hasnt come to that at this point....i dont judge people, its the personality that really counts not who they are or arent attracted to!

Why can't we get a constitutional amendment in this state to ban gay marriage here, too? Looks like California got this one right and Massachusetts keeps getting it wrong thanks to our all too liberal courts and legislature.

It is not about equal rights. It is about tyranny and abuse of power. Just look at the violence against the churches and groups that opposed the homosexual agenda in California. The intolerance and violence of the radical homosexuals proves how wrong their cause is.

I am a JP in the Connecticut and perform same sex marriages. CT residency is not required to get married in CT. It can be done in one day. No witnesses, no blood tests, no waiting period. Town requires $30 for the license, $10 for the certified copy.

If any of my Civil Union couples want to be upgraded to a marriage status, please contact me and if you come to Norwalk, CT, I will take care of it for you for free. If you need me to come to you (in CT), there will be a small fee for my time and mileage.
Mary Pugh
mary@ct-jp.com

instead of spending all this time, effort and money in a war of semantics over the word "marriage" (since you wont accept a civil union with the same rights), you should be donating your time to other more important things like charity.

this is ridiculous

You lost. Get over it - the nation does not want it, and it isn't a loss of civil rights. You don't get to have special rights because you have sex differently.

Why is this front page news?
Only on the Globe - your agenda is clear.

The people have spoken: NO GAY MARRIAGE!!

Now, wait a minute you gays out there..... with those demonstration, you gays are actually saying: "It is my way, or my way" ....... Hello??!!

If gays want equal rights, they should lobby for a law that gives them those rights they want, ................. but NO GAY MARRIAGE..... We the people have spoken!!!!

The worst character I have ever seen is being shown by the homosexuals. If the proposition would have not passed, every single one of the homosexuals would have been crowing about how FAIR and RIGHT it was. And, then those who wanted to see gay marriage banned went to court and started marching and having the media support their views - the homosexuals would cry FOUL, how bigoted, how incredib;y undemocratic. you see, the homosexuals do not respect the law. unless the law is in their favour. Face it: if the proposition would have failed the homosexuals would have been very happy about the process. Respect the law and th will of the people. Stop trying to subvert the will of the people. move to vermont, mass. or anywhere else where the people have said what they believe. Stop forcing other people to do what you want them to do. Obey the law. LIke you want everyone to obey the law when it has to do with you and your wants. other people have wants too. RESPECT THEM> they way you want to be respected.

MARRIAGE IS ORDAINED OF GOD INCLUSIVE OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN. THIS MUST NEVER BE CHANGED! HOW INDIVIDUAL PERSONS CONDUCT THEIR LIVES IS THEIR BUSINESS. IT SHOULD NOT BE MADE A NATIONAL ISSUE. GOD WILL REQUIRE EVERY INDIVIVUAL TO BE JUDGED FOR HIS OR HER CONDUCT IN THIS LIFE. THIS IS AN INESCAPABLE CONCLUSION TO ALL OF LIFE. THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA HAVE SPOKEN. WHAT DO THE PEOPLE OF BOSTON HAVE TO SAY ABOUT PROPOSITION 8. MY OPINION IS "NOTHING"!

I think their all wet.

I realize that there is an uproar over the outcome of "Prop 8" in California
but the people have spoken! I am usually unhappy with the outcome of the voting on the Republican and Democrat elections but the people have spoken.
The one great thing about this country is our ability to vote and choose laws,
Representatives (local and national). That is how it was done in Calif. and
should be done here in Mass. not the courts! If it passes in favor of all to marry
then so be it. And if it does not (as it did Calif) then so be it.
The people have spoken!

It is time to allow for a vote here in MA, as they did in CA.

It was a great protest/rally. The thousands of supporters for equality were peaceful and happy to be there to support everyone's civil rights. Speakers were passionate, attendees were participants, and it was indeed a great rally.

I wonder how much money MassEquality collected at this rally. This is supposed to be about Equal Rights for a minority deprived of them not another MassEquality press event.

What a joke these rallies are! The gay's celebrate when judges dictate social policy to us from the bench but when the voters have their say its discrimination or a cry for equal rights - we (the voters) are so tired of the gay lifestyle being jammed down our throat all the time - marriage is between a man and a woman - get over it - without judges dictating social policy the gay marriage issue would be a moot point.

The majority has spoken. Live with it. There are plenty of things that I didnt like that was voted down and I am living with it. If I dont like it enough I always have the option to leave the country.

In regards to the “Fight the H8” campaign, the people involved in this movement need to look introspectively and remove the hate out of their own lives first. The very tolerance they preach they ignore when it comes to people disagreeing with them. Anyone disagreeing with their lifestyle is either called a “hatemonger” or a “homophobe”, when in reality it is the hate of moral principles in their own lives that has kept them in this bondage.
Don’t they realize that the majority of Americans do not agree with their lifestyle and that the American people believe it is improper and immoral for two people of the same sex to marry one another? If you don’t believe the scriptures, then at least believe science. Just last year in March, the director of the Human Genome Project, Dr. Francis Collins, stated this: “Homosexuality is not hardwired. There is no gay gene. We mapped the human genome. We now know there is no genetic cause for homosexuality."
There is hope in Christ for every homosexual, for He loves them all. They must first, however, acknowledge their sin and come to the compasssionate Christ so He can set them free.

It's difficult for an intelligent person to fathom that gender is still something that people consider a valid reason to exclude people from civil rights.

How can anyone take seriously in the 21st century people who believe being gay or straight is a basis for civil rights? Gawd, how very primitive!

Wow - thanks to everyone who participated in this rally in Boston! I live in the SF Bay Area, and the sting from Prop 8 just burns so bad right now. To see so many of you (and so many others across the USA) stand in support really means a lot. Thank you for giving this issue the importance it deserves. Go MASS! :)

Wow..."Bob" is a true moron...Not surprising he wouldn't give his last name, given the absurdity and lack of reasoning behind his comments. Thankfully, he is old and will be dead soon, so we don't have to listen to his baseless opinions.

Bob, my man, God's not against homosexuals, God's against bigots. God loves ya anyway, though, you know, love the sinner, hate the sin, and all. I'm down with boycotting Utah, but what's of interest there anyway? Let's boycott California. While we're at it, let's start planning a national Gay Strike Day. Say, Valentine's Day??

Last time I checked, the USA was a democratic country. That means people can vote freely and make choices. The majority votes determine the outcome. Yet now, it does not matter what the majority of the people decided... the minority says its still wrong and they will not abide by the results. Interesting country... where a minorty dictatorship rules.
America has turned into a country were what is wrong is right in every aspect of its political and macroeconomic life. Losers are winners! Wecome to America.

Why is MassEquality the sponsor organization of what is supposed to be a grassroots protest? From HRC to the statewide equality groups, ALL need to recognize the importance of protests and personal activism outside of the corporate mentality. A Civil Rights movement must not be controlled by organizations that speak nothing but the corporate party line. Good job goes to those who protest and fight back outside of the status quo. Let's hope it lasts.

Blogger, is there some reason why my comments are not being posted here? Please email me at my email address

Blogger, is there some reason why my comments are not being posted here? Please email me at my email address

Not all Americans are deaf, dumb and blind to wrongful in-your-face homo-sexual misconduct. Stay in the closet where your lifestyle belongs, get away from my grand-children, get your contaminated alternative messages out of our public schools and stop stirring violence to make regular folks feel they did something wrong to vote to uphold decent, time-honored family values via a formal democratic process. Majority rules, remember? We're non-queer, we're still here, get used to it!

When the initial HEAT of our anger towards LDS elders fades
Replace it with a BONE CHILLING ICE COLD INDIFFERENCE towards Utah tourism and Utah products.
No one holds a candle next to gays in doing INDIFFERENCE, we can do that to DEATH.

I think we all have to remember that not all religions and churches oppose same sex marriage. And for the life of me, I don't see what is a "special right" about marrying the person you love. Gay people pay taxes, too. Why can't we have some of the benefits straight couples do? I know in my heart this will happen, and those who are so vehemently opposed will not have a good place in the history books.

Now I understand ignorance is often the root of bigotry. Minorities¡¯ rights should never be subject to majority tyranny. Equal protections, this is one of the founding principles of this democracy. No matter what your feelings are towards same-sex marriages, marriage as a government-sanctioned CIVIL institution should not exclude. Your church can refuse to recognize same-sex marriages, you can refuse to recognize same-sex marriage, but the government should not treat any minority groups differently.

The ¡°people¡± have spoken before about slavery, about women¡¯s voting rights, about segregation, about immigrants, about many other minorities¡¯ rights. And the ¡°people¡± were wrong many times. The constitution is in place precisely because it prevents majority tyranny. The Courts have the constitutional role to safeguard the fundamental principle of equal protection. Until you can see LGBT as equal human beings and see the paramount principle of constitutional guarantee of equal protection, you will never be able to give a rational, or even simply reasonable, argument.

Rain, thank goodness for the rain....Kept half of the fruitloops home...btw, maybe 1500 people showed..pathetic...

Wow, when I came to this website to read about the protests today, I did not expect to see so much hatred among the comments. I am a straight girl from MA who is a student in CT and have always been so proud of the fact that I split my time between the only two states in the country that are able to recognize that who you love does not change your status as a human being, and thus should not compromise your basic human rights. But I am discouraged by the commenters here who seem to think that gay marriage is still a bad idea and should be banned in MA, despite the fact that it's been legal here for 5 years and absolutely nothing bad has happened.

Defining marriage as between a man and a woman is indeed the will of the people.

So was segregation. So was slavery.

Sometimes, the will of the people is wrong. This is one of those times.

Wow - I'm kind of shocked by the hate and evil being spewed in the first 19 posts! Lots of darkness by people who seem more than willing to "throw the first stone". Time to go back and re-read the teaching of Jesus Christ, people. Love your brothers and sisters, support them, and do nothing to interfere with love.

It is a very ignorant person who turns a blind eye to the fact that gay people have faced discrimination, gay bashings, and a host of other violations for decades. Mostly because of the intolerance, bias and outright defamity of gays from society in general. So the intolerance you as an anti gay protester might be feeling right now is beacuase of the decades of intolerance you have showered on gays. We will not just sit idly by or remain in a closet any longer. We are human beings who desire to live a free and open and equal life just as you do. To have anything less is just not in the human spirit of love and dignity. Peace

Some of you apparently do not realize that this country is not and never has been a "pure" democracy, in which majority rules over every issue.

In the United States, majority rules, but the rights of the minority are supposed to be protected. Yes, this is an issue of CIVIL RIGHTS, and yes, it is an issue that belongs to the courts, rather than the people. ("Activist judges" is a nonsense phrase - the court is there to balance the power of the people, as well as the power of the executive leaders. What on earth do you think they're THERE for?)

Without legal marriage, gay couples in many parts of this country are not allowed to visit their loved ones in hospitals. Some are not legally recognized as parents to their children. The list goes on. These are not "special" rights, these are rights everyone deserves to have. A hateful majority shouldn't be allowed to oppress others.

One thing this country isn't: a theocracy. Stop trying to shove your (translated, retranslated, reinterpreted) Bible down our throats.

I have no idea what some of you are so upset about anyway. It's not as though anyone's going to make you marry someone of the same sex. It just bewilders me: why do you CARE if we can marry the people we love? It has no effect on you at all. It does NOT change your marriages, it doesn't "devalue" or alter them. If your outdated religious beliefs are correct, and you're following them, YOU'LL be fine. You're going to heaven, right?

IF MARRIAGE IS SACRED, THEN WE SHOULD ABOLISH DIVORCE!!! JESUS DID NOT SAY ANYTHING AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY, BUT HE WAS VEHEMENT AGAINST DIVORCE: "WHAT GOD HATH JOINED TOGETHER, LET NO MAN PUT ASUNDER." THE RELIGIOUS FREAKS WHO HATE GAY PEOPLE ARE THE SAME HYPOCRITES WHO APPROVE DEATH PENALTY, SENDING TROOPS TO IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN TO KILL TERRORISTS AND INNOCENT CIVILIANS, WHO HAVE SEX OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE, AND WHO BEAT UP THEIR WIVES. YEAH, THAT'S CHRISTIANITY FOR YOU!!!

I'm not sure what "special rights" some people think that gay people want but you never seem to mention it so I'm not sure you know either. It may sound like a good line to you since you just don't understand why someone would like someone of the same sex.

Why are people protesting? Constitutions are supposed to be a document that limits government power and protects the rights of the people but instead the initiative in California specifically excludes rights from a group of people. Putting rights to a vote is generally not a good thing anyways lies and ignorance can confuse the voters into depriving people of rights.

Historically these kinds of cases have been settled by the courts since they can make the right decision for equality without fear of needing to be re-elected. Some people like to say these judges are activists but that's what judges are supposed to be doing! Or perhaps people think that segregation was a good thing or that people shouldn't get married based on the color of their skin or the any number of other decisions that have helped to protect the people's rights.

Honestly, it doesn't matter how you personally feel about what queer people do in bed or whether you think they ought to be married. The part of all this which ought to scare EVERYONE is that a simple majority of voters in California voted to strip away existing rights from a particular class of citizens. That's right, no matter what you think of LGBT folks, they are your fellow citizens. And if a simple majority of voters could vote to strip rights from LGBT people, they could also turn around and strip them from YOU. Would you like that? No? So don't do it to other people. It's as simple as that.

If marriage is a religious issue then let's remove all the CIVIL rights and benefits from those marriages. Then there will be equality. This isn't a religious issue to most of us. We can already have ceremonies performed by clergy in many places. We want the legal rights that don't come from the religious ceremony but come from the state/country. This country is not supposed to be governed by any religions. Why don't all of you who uise the "will of the people" excuse, actually sit down and read the constitution and the bill of rights. Then you might understand how rights are to be protected in this country. Oh yeah, you might also want to learn how to use a spell checker also.

Looks like Kris Mineau and his clan got all the retirees from their church of bigotry to bombard this site with hate filled rhetoric. It's So bloody transparent and silly. Psychologists tell us now that the more a man expresses his hate for homosexuality, The higher the odds that he himself is gay and fighting inner self loathing issues Mr. Mineau !!!! You people cant seem to function without needing someone to put down to make yourselves feel important.... and you call yourself Christians ... what a laugh.

to all the people on here who think homosexuals are deviants, disgusting and just plain whiners who are FORCING their LIFESTYLE on everyone else...let me tell you
i have been gay since i was born... and I have had the HETEROSEXUAL LIFESTYLE FORCED on me all my life. tv, commercials, movies, books, church. so i apologize if you are tired of us infringing on your life, but you have been infringing on mine since i was born.
also, we aren't asking for SPECIAL rights, it's simple: heterosexuals have more rights than homosexuals. all we are asking for is the same rights you have.

to all the people on here who think homosexuals are deviants, disgusting and just plain whiners who are FORCING their LIFESTYLE on everyone else...let me tell you
i have been gay since i was born... and I have had the HETEROSEXUAL LIFESTYLE FORCED on me all my life. tv, commercials, movies, books, church. so i apologize if you are tired of us infringing on your life, but you have been infringing on mine since i was born.
also, we aren't asking for SPECIAL rights, it's simple: heterosexuals have more rights than homosexuals. all we are asking for is the same rights you have.

on people, what people don't see is that religion is nothing more then a business that is looking to make an easy dollar while forcing the issue the gay marriage is wrong or anything for that matter is wrong and that gay people are going to hell. so let me ash this if being gay is wrong, according to the catholic church, why was it ok to rape kids for all those year?marriage is a right that should be given to all people no matter who you love. if a gay guy or girl can be enlisted and die for their country why can't they marry? the fact is the people who are against it are either in the closet them selves or are to ignorant to understand it. people say it goes against the bible but let me ask this whose bible are we quoting, the catholic bible? are we a nation that is separate from the church? religion is nothing more then a bunch of people forcing a how to live rules

Honestly, it really doesn't matter how you feel about what queer people do in bed or whether they ought to be able to marry. LGBT people are citizens, whether you like it or not, and what ought to scare EVERYONE is the fact that a simple majority of voters in California voted to strip away existing rights from a particular group of citizens. That is simply unconscionable and wrong. If they could do it to LGBT people, they could do it to you, too. Would you like it if people voted on your ability to marry? Would you like it if a simple majority of voters decided that whatever group to which you happen to belong were no longer worthy of the same rights that everyone else enjoyed? No? Then don't do it to others. It's as simple as that.

To vote on ANYONE'S civil rights is wrong. Anon, you're correct; Having the OPTION of marrying your best friend IS special so yes, I am so thankful I have that *special* right in MA. Opponents have tried everything from damnation to scare tactics to their latest bid of gays being "egotisical." In reality what is egotistical is believing that you are the ONLY one who deserves to have freedom.

I was at the rally yesterday. Can someone tell me what State Rep. Carl Sciortino and Congressman Mike Capuano are doing saying "We will be back in California two years from now to fight this amendment." The last time I looked these guys worked for Massachusetts as OUR representatives. Neither of them have any power nor should be involved in another state's, state law.
I am all for same sex marriage, but I am also for eliminating corruption in OUR politics. Get to work for your districts boys!

Yes - we have to keep the rallies and demonstrations up- we can't stop
Yes - we have to keep working through the legislative process and the courts
Yes - we have to support the advocacy groups doing the important work with our time and money
And no - we should not take the bait of the hateful & ignorant comments. These people are just trying to discourage you, they want you to disappear- the best way to FIGHT them is to not disappear and keep doing the work.
The poet who spoke at the Boston rally yesterday said don't spend time on the hate and fear mongers- your time is better spent working for what is right...
We are a country ready for change... it will come. YES WE CAN!

I'm proud of the SJC in MA, the difficult decision they handed down, the flack they took for it, and the community response to live and let live. What happened after gay mariage became legal? No lightening struck, kids don't seem to be all that confused, no chaos in the streets, and no "gays" trying to convert us straight people to turn to each other and make out against our will. Horrors, homosexuals are.... dare we say it... not interested in taking over the world? Sick and sad that the same arguments used to keep black Americans from being equal members of society are the ones used today, applied to yet another minority group.

It is so disheartening to see all of the hate pouring out here. The message of this rally was not one of hate - it was specifically said by many of the speakers that hate will do us no good - something I already argue to many others who are fighting this fight. I don't hate anyone who is religious and against gay marriage - but I am baffled by your hate of me.

Jesus was about speaking of equality and fairness, about not casting the first stone. The two greatest commandments are to first love God - your only God and to love your neighbor as yourself. Love is the overreaching message of Jesus Christ and the New Testament.

And it isn't being near people that makes people gay. No one chooses this any more than anyone chooses to be straight. It's merely the way we are and discriminating against us by denying us state and federal protections is discrimination and hateful. With all of the peace and love in my heart I hope you can see that all we are fighting for is a right to live in this country. God will judge me when I die. Until then I will live my life honestly and with love - which is all he's ever asked of me.

For all of those who think we want special rights, put yourself in the position of possibly losing your job because you're gay or facing discrimination because you're treated as a second class individual by state and federal laws.
If marriage is so sacred, why do we have such a high divorce rate? Why do people have relationships outside of marriage? Why don't you accept civil unions too? Because, it's not equal.

Well I see the haters have been mobilized this morning. On Sunday of
all days. Do you write these hateful things before or after you go to church?
Do you pray to a God of Hate?
Well my God is a God of love, heck I even love you and I pray someday
you will learn it is wrong to hate, Love, Jim

I can't believe how many ignorant posts were put up on this wall. I'm sorry you can't open yourselves up to love.

This is a cause for ALL people to be allowed happiness. Please stop the hate. Let these people love each other.

Nobody has ever tried to take away your right to marriage and love.

Homosexuality is an affliction...is there a doctor in the house??

We ALL live in the United States of America, why can we ALL not unite? We all bleed when cut, do WE not? It would seem the one person / party can Dictate what the rest of the the people in the United States can or can't do. So much for the land of he free. I grew up in a broken home of " HETEROSEXUALS " and I can say that they were more disfunctional than the life I live now, having been in a commited relationship for the past 14 years. No one tells me what kind of laundry soap to use, how can they tell me who I can love and spend the rest of my life with? AND share my assets...!

To all of those who continue to spout the "holy" bible as a means of denying people their civil rights: how much of the bible have you actually read? The book is full of all sorts of evil deeds that were perpetrated by or in the name of Yahweh. To provide just one example, the bible is in support of one of the most horrible practices that humans have ever devised to dehumanize each other: slavery (read for example Exodus 21:2-11, 26, 27-28, Leviticus 25:44-46, 1 Corinthians 7:21-24, Colossians 3:22-4:1, 1 Timothy 6:1-2, Titus 2:9-10, and 1 Peter 2:18-21), and before you go off on the arguement that slavery in the bible is different than slavery practiced elsewhere in history, consider, "As for the male and female slaves whom you may have...you may keep them as a POSSESSION for your children after you, for them to INHERIT as PROPERTY" (Leviticus 25:44,46). It is very hard to believe that if a loving god wrote the bible he/she/it would have forgotten to completely and utterly repudiate such a despicable institution as slavery while worrying incessantly over who one goes to bed with at night. More likely, the bible simply reflects the opinions of the fallible men who wrote it thousands of years ago. So please, stop throwing around chapter and verse as if this book is full of nothing but goodness. If you want to believe it, that's fine, but do not try to make YOUR religion into LAWS that we all have to abide by because that is a violation of the separation of church and state.

I am shocked and saddened by some of the comments people have written in response to this article. It reminds me that we still have a long way to go in our struggle for equality-- nobody should be treated like second-class citizens. Nobody.

Seriously, I thought after the judges ruled on this here in MA it became a non-issue. Years after the ruling, nothing, I repeat, NOTHING, has changed. MA has the lowest divorce rate in the nation. People are still wealthy, the seas are still calm and the sky is not raining blood. No wave of gays immigrated to the state, schoolkids aren't being converted to homosexuality en masse, churches aren't being shut down, and gays aren't out having a big gay orgy in the streets and making all the straight people watch. God didn’t come down and burn us all. All the crap you said would happen, well, surprise surprise, you were wrong again.
You people need to read a history book. Originally, marriage was an arrangement between two noble families where the bride would be sold with a dowry. Girls were literally "sold" for the purpose of increasing a family's standing and "bought" by families of high prestige who needed wealth. The age disparity between the bride and groom was sometimes 20-30 years. It was created for the purpose of making sure property and wealth was passed down to legitimate kids, nothing more. For most of human history, love and marriage have been two separate things. For thousands of years it was NEVER about eternal love, and very rare were those outliers where a couple managed to actually love each other. Marriage was then "redefined" over many years to mean a love-match, but even in this country, a black man and a white woman who loved each other could not get married until relatively recently.

who cares ?

There is no valid, logical reason for gay marriage to be banned. The people who voted to ban it are most certainly trampling on civil rights. Why should they have a say on whether or not consenting adults can get married? This is a right that should be automatically granted to all. The people who protest the ban have every right to do so.

#30 kai well said. couldnt have said it better myself.

This is so overrated! Gay marriage shouldn't be allowed anywhere! Marriage is supposed to be ONE man ONE woman!

I do not have much to say about this except: Did God destroy Sodium and Gomorrah for acts of homosexuality? If you read this you will see that God hated such acts. So why make it legal. Stop this before God takes out his wrath on USA once again.

homosexuals don't want "special rights" as some of you are calling it. they want civil rights. just like african americans wanted, and just like women wanted. eventually, in the long run, african americans and women obtained their rights as people.. as americans, living in a free country. if the gays work hard enough, they'll get what they want eventually. it's inevitable. we live in the good ol' U S of A.

I look at it this way, and i am not a homophobic or anything, heck I have a lot of homosexual friends. Marriage has no category in RIGHTS. Getting married is not a right given to you by GOD or any LAW provided. You choose to marry someone and nothing more. if you don't get to be married in a traditional sense then you get to be whats called committed partners and marry yourselves in some sense thats not traditional, stop whining about a problem where you cannot get a solution. Come up with the Solution. If you dislike my comment email me at armylightning@yahoo.com

Sodium huh? Wow, God is anti-salt?

The Mormons made a huge mistake! They've wasted $20 million dollars because this WILL get overturned in California. It also will bring equal rights for any transgendered citizens of Massachusetts to marry! Big Mistake, Mormoms - that's what you get for trying to dictate what other people can and cannot do

Do you know why do many powerful countries and states collapse?
because of GODLESSNESS. If this country will continue to sin (homosexuality is one of them) this country will be crashed and destroyed. If you don't believe me you will see it some day.
We should ask God forgiveness for this sin (homosexuality) and He will forgive us.

Wondering when these protesters will get around to condemning President-elect Barack Obama for his stated views on same-sex marriage.
Money quote:
“I’m a Christian... And so, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman.”
With "friends" like that, the gay community hardly needs imaginary enemies.

As disappointed as I am about California, this is at least good for tourism here in Massachusetts. We can continue to market our state for same sex honeymoons and marriage destinations..... So... PLEASE come to Boston in the Spring Time!!!

All tax payers & citizens of the United States should all have equal rights. Maybe people that live in states that do not approve should be given a tax break since a high percentage of gay couples will never have children in the school systems.

Hey Bob - I'm sorry you don't like the way things work here in Massachusetts. You know where gay marriage is illegal? Iran. Maybe you should move there - we won't cry a single tear if you leave. And you will obviously be more at home in that atmosphere of hatred and bigotry.

I'm a straight woman who supports marriage for all.

How many of you who claim that gay marriage is a "special" right went to law school? Just curious, as it really doesn't appear you have any clue what you're talking about.

Take a look at Loving v. VA and take a class on the consitution before you spread your ignorance.

AM Post #61! (Jon)

I'm going to push my personal option aside for a few moments. (A.k.a my complete zero tolerance for judgmental people, ignorant people, people who think "911" was god punishing anyone and the fact if you WANT to involve the Christian religion into any law... then keep in mind your God said he/she loves all people.)

#18... You said "The majority has spoken. Live with it. " So, I'm assuming you think that holocaust and slavery was just fine then. Because, the majority both wanted these two events in history to continue and to thrive. States that slavery existed were supported completely and voted on by the majority. Also, the women's right to vote was condemned by the majority for years.

More importantly, I respect your right to say what you feel to be true. Because that is your right as a citizen in this country. And… I would hate to see that right be stripped from you.

It is a horrible feeling when that happens.

I am shocked and embarrassed at how many messages of hate are posted here. I have always been so proud of Massachusetts, the state where I was born and raised, and front runner in civil rights for all people. The people who have posted such small minded and ignorant sentiments here make me sad. Instead of wasting time and energy denying people the right to marry, why don't you mind your own business and focus on your own life?

Three cheers to stoping the H8.

I was at the event and it was very encouraging-- in spite of many of the comments here! For all the thousands of people in favor of gay marriage there were only maybe two people there visibly counter-protesting-- that "Bob" guy standing away from the crowd, accosting people with literature as they came out from the T. My friends and I kinda felt bad for him-- he wasn't getting much support.

At any rate, eventually the bigotry will give way to understanding and reason-- remember that this is largely a generational issue. For many though, "eventually" cannot come soon enough!

As a straight person who grew up in Boston and now lives in San francisco, I am amazed by the bulk of the comments here. I will keep going out there to do everything I can until we have justice here.

I'm glad you didn't have the chance to vote on this issue-it should not appear on any ballot. If equal rights are so distressing to you, you should move to the bible belt (and good luck getting a nice haircut). Until you can get God to tell us directly who we should oppress, let us oppress no one!

Thank you for turning up in the rain, 3,000 miles away, to stand against California's shame.

To those of you who insist that the majority is always right and that just because a law passes means that law is fair, just, and in the best interest of the people... I have news for you! Our country has a history of making laws against whichever group it happens to see as the moral downfall of our nation at that given point. If heterosexual marriage was up on the ballot would you not fight for your right to it? If you were denied custody of the children you raised simply because you did not personally bear them what would you do? If you were denied access to your lover of 30 years on his or her death bed because his/her family did not like you or your relationship what would you do? If marriage is a simply religious/god ordained institution then why is it written into our laws allowing one group of people the right to the benefits of marriage? Honestly, it reaches further down into us than you may realize, if you do no have the perspective of living it day to day. Some of us have had to make the choice between having love and being happy in our own lives and having the love of the family that raised us. So many of our population are denied jobs and basic human respect because we love someone of the same sex? Who is anyone to judge who is right to love and who is wrong to love?..it's not somethingthat anyone controls. The fight for gay rights started before I was born and yes I do reap some of its benefits but I also still have to fight. I wish there was a way to turn the tables to change people's perspective to not just caring about their own rights but also about the rights of their fellow human beings...We've grown complacent. We think only about what is import to us and think only of our own well-being and it's sad to have to see that in the people around me every day. I found some hope standing in that crowd on Saturday. I saw that my generation is willing to stand up for what we believe in . We are willing to get up and march for it, vote for it, and donate our time and money toward it. Well, there's my two cents...

The rally was so educational for me, I finally understand the meaning of "basic human rights" that are being violated. Now let's change something!

Question: does anybody know the name of the poet who spoke at the rally?

Very nice site!