It depends what you mean by 'marry'. If homosexuals want to marry just like heterosexual people and have the same 'rights' you need to be clear about exactly what rights they are. Is it the right to a marriage certificate? Is it the right to a share in the estate after a partner dies? Is it the right to be present as next of kin? These are all rights to practical issues which should be solved by the government without needing to enquire about the sexual relationship of the people involved. The fact that the government has failed to do this is a serious wrong. That wrong is not made right by including more people into the wrong doing.

Marriage certificates could be given to any two people who want them - two mates. two brothers, a man and his landscape gardener. They are worthless pieces of paper in themselves but have come to be a ticket to avail oneself of things which the government should not be deciding. If you want other rights then fight for them without surrendering your right to keep your sexual life to yourself. It is much better to have your dignity and integrity than submit to needless government intervention in your private life.

If by 'marry' you mean a public ceremony in which you declare your love, then go ahead and have one so long as it doesn't include government involvement at any level.If all that people wanted was to be married then they could easily redefine the meaning of marriage to something else. Have your own celebrant, invite all your friends and be content in your own mind that you are truly married. If you want taxpayers funds spent on even one piece of paper then you do not have a right to that. Neither homosexual or heterosexual. The fact that heterosexual people have those rights now is wrong and giving them to homosexuals would be just as wrong.

C J Morgan, "If two people are silly enough to want to marry each other"

Given your moronic dismissal of marriage would you care?

Then there is your outspoken revulsion of all things religious, except Islam of course. Speaking of which, your Greenbot creed is opposed to polygamy, why? Are Muslims always to less than equal in some respects - as decided by you of course?

Come on, phanto and Cornflower - don't avoid the question.

Given that everybody else in Australia is legally entitled to marry their partner if they so desire, why shouldn't homosexuals be allowed to as well?

Please don't try and change the subject again.

Just because someone is legally entitled to something does not mean they should do it or even that it is morally right to do it. Our law makers are not infallible.

Who should define 'partner'?

@Cornflower

"Who says? You says?!"

Well as far as Im concerned if the government does not reconise same-sex realtionships then we will face discrimination, I cannot make it much more clearer than that for you.

CJ, we’ve looped back into this discussion: http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=8779#140438

I think we should simply tiptoe away and leave them arguing with the voices in their heads.