It is the same sense of equal rights of two couples who share a raunchy weekend together and enjoyed it so much that they decide they are such good friends they make a pact to move in together for the rest of their lives.

They share children of each other so they want their multiple mix registered as family. Gays want marriage registered as family with undercover spouses (surrogates) who bear their children or are allowed IVF, even though they are very capable of falling pregnant naturally. So the child grows up with an unnatural gender bias.

At least in the multiple relationship there is no single gender in the household. Suppose twins marry another set of twins and they are inseparable and sharing; do they have equal rights to have their relationship registered?

Does a Muslim man have equal rights to marry a second wife, a 14 year old bride because his wife is in menopause? They say it is no one’s business but theirs what sexual relationship they have. Stay out of our bedrooms

As I have said on previous posts, I support gay marriage. However, I don't consider it a human right, as the existing partnership laws are almost indistinguishable with respect to rights and obligations as the marriage laws.

If having the law changed does little more than give a status check tick, then it cannot be a human rights issue. I consider it a moral issue and I think it needs to be done, but over egging the cake denigrates genuine human rights issues.

From the time that I've been posting on this forum
I can honestly say that even though we often have
some very robust discussions - and emotive ones
at times - and even though we may disagree with
each other rather heatedly at times - I take
that as par for the course. However, I can honestly
say that deep-down I've never genuinely found any
one here that I thought was mean-spirited, nasty,
or a horrible person. And I feel that if anyone was
in genuine trouble we'd all rally round and help
as best as we can. I've recently read a very serious
article in my local community magazine about men
and depression and I can't even begin to imagine
what it would be like not to be able to marry the
person of my choice because some law said that I
had to be pigeon-holed into somebody's idea of what
a marriage should be. OK - some of you may not
recognise same-sex marriage as your idea of marriage.
That's fine - but when the law discriminates - then
to me at least that is wrong - and it does imbinge
on the human rights of others.

Agree or not - that's your perogative - but the law
has to provide equity for all. At least that's the
way I see it. The Marriage Act has to change.

Lexi,

I have always had the impression that more heterosexual women support same sex marriage than heterosexual men.

Could this be that love is sufficient unto itself in the mind of many women. Provided love is involved it is okay. That there is strong feelings of empathy in women that are not seen in men is fact, but that said, a human rights issue should not be based on emotions alone.

Those few words should bring the roof down on my head.

Great discussing things with you Lexi.

Take it easy.

SD

Dear Shaggy Dog,

I don't have the answers to all the big questions in life.
I'm still on my own journey of discovery. I think love is
important in our lives regardless of our sex. And we should
all be allowed to marry if that's what we want to do -
with the partner of our choice. As for our sex lives - I
think that should be a private matter (as long as it doesn't
hurt anyone). My philosophy is - live and let live. Enjoy
your own sex life - and somebody else's is none of our business.

Hope that makes sense.

Lexi,

Sounds okay to me.

One hopes the journey of discovery lasts your whole life. Every day should have something emotionally new in it no matter how small it may be.

A friendly word from an unknown or a smile from a complete stranger is not a bad start.

Take it easy.

SD