Perhaps this can be resolved to mutual satisfaction without any more subtle hints from Jpw2040.

Philo,

You are focussing heavily on anal sex. Given the CJs of the world for example I hope you can understand my uncertainty about its relevance. I'm not saying it isn't but I'd like to ask questions to work it out in my mind.

Rather than upsetting Jpw2040 by doing that here perhaps I can seek clarification from you by email. Any chance you can email me at watashi@live.com.au ?

That might be the best way for me to satisfy my curiosity without dragging out the discussion here. What do you think?

Socially persons who value themselves and their potential offspring so poorly by pushimg them all into sewer pipes instead of a glorious life will almost never uphold the social values of life appreciated by a normal intelligent futuristic society. Our children are our future so give them normal social relationships of their own loving parents. Marriage is for the procreation and protection of our children the values into the future of who we are as a society.

That currently Mum's and Dad'd have so poor relationships is just as concerning as other social breakdowns, including homosexuality.

Of course it’s off topic, Robert.

This discussion is about rights, not behaviours: “What are the legalities of a same-sex partnership? What are their rights under the law?”

Lawful behaviour is not a ground for discrimination. We do not discriminate against smokers; we do not discriminate against obese people, regardless of how repulsive we find their smoking and eating behaviours.

Those who wish to maintain discrimination against same-sex-attracted people continually try to divert the rights discussion to focus on behaviours (or encourage others to divert the discussion). Where the behaviours are criminal they have no bearing on the civil rights of the law-abiding. The other behaviours often named are legitimate and private.

In any case, the behaviours have no place in a discussion of the civil rights of same-sex couples.

We should let jpw2040 rave on with his vitriol such as,

'If you think anal sex is filthy and unnatural, Jack, then maybe you should wash the dog first.
Dinosaurs like runner are simply dying out.
runner worships at the altar of intolerance, and I don’t see any hope that this will ever change. He can go on ranting, and I will attempt to ignore him as best I can
were you always this ditzy?
neanderthal indeed
your irrational animal reactions
knuckle-draggers
trolls
homophobes'

As long as he posts in this manner, he paints a true picture of the twisted views of himself and his ilk.

jpw2040: "One advantage of a forum like OLO, with visitors like Philo and J Bennett, is that the rest of the world gets exposed to gay people’s daily reality.

We deal with this kind of hate, spite and even violence every day. Most importantly, the homo-haters do it in secret, with no witnesses except their victims. Here, behind the cover of anonymity, they feel emboldened to give voice to their poison."

I was thinking much the same thing when I read that. Most of us, including those like me who have no problem with gay people, really don't have much idea how much of the kind of dumb, snide and offensively homophobic attitudes that we've seen expressed here still persists in our society.

Rest assured jpw that the knuckledraggers and religious nutters are in the minority. As you suggest, we are only exposed to them here because they think they're anonymous. I suspect that these are very insignificant people in their daily lives.

Fortunately, you'd be aware that most people are more like R0bert, CG, TRTL and me - supportive of equal rights for everybody, and willing to speak up if we witness flagrant attacks on them. Cheers :)

To the homophobes: jpw's correct - this thread's about civil rights, not about the legal sexual practices with which you seem obsessed.

See what happens when you teach chimpanzees to cut and paste?