Obama Says Same-Sex Marriage Should Be Legal

[Habsburg]

I think in the end this move will prove brilliant by Obama.

I agree.  One of the tweets CNN played this morning stated (she was unhappy) "this makes us the laughing stock of the World."  Get the message out and she would see the Western world is snickering at us because they have done something with the issue.  This is an issue where a lot of people in the US are not educated.

Wait 'till the Obama team starts with the Bain Capital stuff.

[Viking]

Are no-sex marriages legal in America?

Not only are they legal, before 1968 they were mandatory.

[garbon]

I think in the end this move will prove brilliant by Obama.

I agree.  One of the tweets CNN played this morning stated (she was unhappy) "this makes us the laughing stock of the World."  Get the message out and she would see the Western world is snickering at us because they have done something with the issue.  This is an issue where a lot of people in the US are not educated.

Wait 'till the Obama team starts with the Bain Capital stuff.

Does the West constitute "the World"?

[DontSayBanana]

Does the West constitute "the World"?

I think we could live with being the "laughingstock" of, say, Jacob Zuma or Vladimir Putin.

[Valmy]

Does the West constitute "the World"?

Meh the Japanese marry video game characters they have no room to chuckle.

[Sheilbh]

Does the West constitute "the World"?

I think we could live with being the "laughingstock" of, say, Jacob Zuma or Vladimir Putin.

South Africa has gay marriage and their constitution enshrines gay equal rights.  It's not culturally popular or really tolerated, but still.

[Habsburg]

Does the West constitute "the World"?

Pretty much.  Though I paint the "West" in broad strokes: All the Americas (x Ven/Cuba) all Europe, Turkey, Israel, South Africa, India, Singapore, Anzac, S Korea and Japan.  When I'm feeling super nice the rest of E/SE Asia, UAE and Qatar.

[Habsburg]

South Africa has gay marriage and their constitution enshrines gay equal rights.  It's not culturally popular or really tolerated, but still.

I don't think most yanks know this factoid. 

[DontSayBanana]

I don't think most yanks know this factoid. 

Mostly because it's irrelevant.  Most yanks also don't know about many of the unenforced stupid laws that are still "on the books" in our own country, like it being illegal to roller-skate in a public restroom in Portland, OR.

I generally consider SA's homosexual protections a thrown bone and, for all intents and purposes, not actually existent.

[Sheilbh]

Mostly because it's irrelevant.  Most yanks also don't know about many of the unenforced stupid laws that are still "on the books" in our own country, like it being illegal to roller-skate in a public restroom in Portland, OR.

How is it irrelevant?

South Africa's got gay marriage, constitutionally prohibited discrimination - so gays are allowed to adopt, to serve in the military and so on.  Plus, like Argentina, transsexuals are allowed to change their gender in the population register.

South Africa may not be culturally tolerant but legally it is very liberal and those laws do matter and are enforced.  But even culturally it's getting better, in part because the law's led the way.  The constitution's respected because of its place post-apartheid and a number of leaders from the anti-apartheid leader, especially, Desmond Tutu are loud voices for equality.

I generally consider SA's homosexual protections a thrown bone and, for all intents and purposes, not actually existent.

Gay can marry, serve in the military, donate blood and adopt.

[The Brain]

Of course they can. In South Africa HIV doesn't cause AIDS.

[CountDeMoney]

Of course they can. In South Africa HIV doesn't cause AIDS.

And banging 11 year old virgins cures it.