We just saw on Strollerderby that John McCain, an adoptive father himself, recently said the following, as quoted in the New York Times, "I think that we've proven that both parents are important in the success of a family so, no, I don't believe in gay adoption." Strollerderby goes into all the reasons why this is ludicrous, and how gay adoption has been shown again and again to produce kids just as happy and healthy as those in straight adoptive homes. If you want to humanize this topic, just check out this amazingly great blog by two men who are foster parents to a toddler.
But it reminded us of something John Edwards (remember him?) said back in the day.
In that seminal debate discussion of gay rights led by Tim Russert, Edwards said:
I suspect my two younger children, Emma Claire, who's 9, and Jack, who's 7, will reach the same conclusion that my daughter Cate, who's 25, has reached, which is she doesn't understand why her dad is not in favor of same-sex marriage. And she says her generation will be the generation that brings about the great change in America on that issue.
He may be right. Because it's not just Democratic kids who don't have a problem with gay marriage; plenty of Republican children are as socially liberal as foxy Meghan McCain (heck, she even watches bisexual dating show A Shot at Love, as GQ discovered).
We'd be willing to bet that in another generation or two gay marriage will not only be legal, but also that people will look back and wonder what all the fuss was about.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 30)
16. with all the unwanted children in the world these days, having two ppl in a commited, loving, healthy, stable relationship is all these kids REALLY need. but you know what? i got one better for you. EVERYONE needs to have a license to have children. that ought to put this all in perspective. the hoops we make ppl jump through to adopt domestically and internationally in this country, as well as become foster parents, is REDICULOUS! man, i bet NONE of you commenters would be able to deal with the paperwork, the house visits, the back ground checks, etc AND STILL have the money to pay for it all and raise the kid with later! if john mccain doesn't "believe" in gay adoption, i don't "believe" that ppl should become parents just b/c a sperm met an egg.
Devynn at 9:16AM on Jul 18th 2008
17. As a Pediatrician I look at the Data. There is good evidence to suggest that adopted children are not harmed by same-sex parenting. Many children need adoptive/foster parents. Expanding the pool of potential adopters is useful to address that.
Next issue...
Captain Spaulding at 8:48AM on Jul 18th 2008
18. To NY bravest FDNY
Funny thing but, I know gay firemen and cops and marines. No different from you. You'd never know!
As to your leopard print fag, well, freaks come in all shapes, sizes and colors...and sexes.
I teach. I've taught for 20 years or so. You can always tell which kids have two loving active (gay or straight) parents in their lives and which one come from abusive homes. I've NEVER had a child in my class from an abusive GAY home! They realize what a treasure that they have. They work twice as hard to give that kid the best!
And as for people who love to bash others in the name of Christ...you are worthless as Christians. Christ's point was to love thy neighbor as thyself...not LOVE WHOM IT IS CONVENIENT AND EASY TO LOVE.
Kit at 8:46AM on Jul 18th 2008
19. I'm straight. One of my best friends is gay. He once made the mistake of marrying a single mother for the sole reason that he wanted to be father. Naturally, the marriage was a disaster, even tho she knew well before she married him that he was gay and ended in divorce. For some reason, she thought she could "turn him straight". If he'd been able to adopt, he, she and her kids never would have had to go through this. When he was 15, my son came out to me that he was gay, he's now 24 and he says the only thing he hates are the laws that he'd never be able to be father. And I'd never have the pleasure of spoiling my grandchild :(
rebecca at 9:06AM on Jul 18th 2008
20. So much ado about nothing!
Amy at 10:17AM on Jul 18th 2008
21. I have mixed feelings about this issue and this is why: When I was a kid and my parents divorced, my brother, mother and I spent some time (2 years) in battered women's shelters. As sexual orientation is often a contributing factor to the breakup of a marriage, my brother and I were exposed to a concentrated number of kids for whom this was the case. In my experience, when the parents of a child 'come out' while the child is still young, the sexuality of the child of the same sex as the gay parent is heavily influenced. In fact, (again in my experience) I have only seen straight kids from gay parents when the parents stayed closeted long enough for the kids to develop their own sexual identities. (Say 15 or 16). On the other hand, are gay parents capable of caring for a child, providing love, support and teaching them to become responsible people? Yes. Certainly, a gay parent who can do these things is better than a straight parent who cannot--or no parent at all. And if a child happens to be gay, then fine. But, from what I've seen, I can't help but feel that in some cases, being raised by a gay parent can stack the deck against them.
Keith J. Mohrhoff at 10:36AM on Jul 18th 2008
22. re: "Marsha, what happened to the idea of 'Judge not, lest ye be judged'? You aren't these people, you don't live their lives, or think their thoughts. So why are you judging them, like a good Christian should?
Not to mention that not everyone believes in your god, or even a god. Who gave you the right to push your beliefs onto them, and force them to live by words that hold no truth?
Might I remind you to re-read Matthew. You know, where it says the truly faithful and pious will not yell about their love for god, and brag about their righteousness, but will go into their chamber, and shut the door and pray in private.
Yes, the bible says for you to pray in private, not shove it down everyone else's throats. Keep that in mind."
I hate to point this out, but whether or not everyone believes in Marsha's god, or ANY god, has nothing to do with whether or not she's allowed to publicly express her opinion. And if her opinion correlates with her religious beliefs, then it's not only her right but her duty to express those beliefs. She's not bragging about her righteousness; she's not forcing you to accept her opinion. She's merely expressing her own.
heather at 2:02PM on Jul 18th 2008
23. I have a unique perspective because I am a gay male in a committed relationship but I grew up in Christian school systems and studied the scripture in these schools for well over 14 years. Many Christians, but not all, feel that the bible is the absolute word of God. Therefore arguing with such a Christian regarding this issue becomes moot because they view the scripture and their interpretation as absolute, timeless and without error. This philosophical movement dates back to Luther’s split from the Catholic Church, where he emphasized scripture/Christ over the ritualistic Catholic sacraments for attaining salvation. Unfortunately, what many Protestant Christians do not consider are that there were numerous books that were considered for inclusion or exclusion in the Protestant scripture. Historically, Protestant councils determined which books were included in the Protestant scripture/present day bible. This is why the Catholic bible and Protestant bible differ in their number and content.
As a Christian the only thing I can really be sure of is that the gospel (Mathew, Mark, Luke and John) and the words that Christ spoke are what I should follow. To assume that Protestant councils and Christ’s apostles (including Paul who wrote anti-gay sentiments) were without error; are in essence deifying them. We are in essence making them “God”.
In Matthew 7:1-2, Christ did say “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Here is the important part that people often forget--- “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Why did Christ use such strong language here in rebuking the religious community of his time? Like today, many religious leaders try to take on the role of God and assume they in their infinite wisdom can judge a fellow man. It is not their job.
Embrace the gay community and support the fact that many want to marry, have long term committed relationships and raise children and families of their own. Many also want to be a part of an accepting Christian community. If not you will foster the alternative, thereby supporting lack of committed relationships without the context of marriage and a neglectful, hurtful Christian community.
Anthony at 12:23PM on Jul 18th 2008
24. I have a unique perspective because I am a gay male in a committed relationship but I grew up in Christian school systems and studied the scripture in these schools for well over 14 years. Many Christians, but not all, feel that the bible is the absolute word of God. Therefore arguing with such a Christian regarding this issue becomes moot because they view the scripture and their interpretation as absolute, timeless and without error. This philosophical movement dates back to Luther’s split from the Catholic Church, where he emphasized scripture/Christ over the ritualistic Catholic sacraments for attaining salvation. Unfortunately, what many Protestant Christians do not consider are that there were numerous books that were considered for inclusion or exclusion in the Protestant scripture. Historically, Protestant councils determined which books were included in the Protestant scripture/present day bible. This is why the Catholic bible and Protestant bible differ in their number and content.
As a Christian the only thing I can really be sure of is that the gospel (Mathew, Mark, Luke and John) and the words that Christ spoke are what I should follow. To assume that Protestant councils and Christ’s apostles (including Paul who wrote anti-gay sentiments) were without error; are in essence deifying them. We are in essence making them “God”.
In Matthew 7:1-2, Christ did say “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Here is the important part that people often forget--- “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Why did Christ use such strong language here in rebuking the religious community of his time? Like today, many religious leaders try to take on the role of God and assume they in their infinite wisdom can judge a fellow man. It is not their job.
Embrace the gay community and support the fact that many want to marry, have long term committed relationships and raise children and families of their own. Many also want to be a part of an accepting Christian community. If not you will foster the alternative, thereby supporting lack of committed relationships without the context of marriage and a neglectful, hurtful Christian community.
Anthony at 12:11PM on Jul 18th 2008
25. The realities behind bars to gay adoption are much nastier than simple discimination. In my state, we have an adoption agency that does background checks on all parents who wish to adopt. They find out everything and anything about you. Then they put you on a list. The most productive and stable parents get their adoptions approved first by the state. For some reason, gays and lesbians are always at the bottom of the list. Oh, but you'd think that if we're patient enough we'd get our shot, right? wrong. Every year the list is recompiled and we're back on the bottom.
I recently learn that their 'assessment formula' basically assumes that if you're gay then you must be living a life right out of swingtown with high tension, possible drug use, possible exposure to HIV, and a high possibility of seperation.
Yay for statistics...
Somber at 12:24PM on Jul 18th 2008
26. Ada,
You maybe right about gay marriage being legal in a few generations and people wondering why all the fuss. But just a point about homosexuality and the Bible.
If you take a look at Romans 1:26-28,(one of 11 books written by the Apostle Paul).
""men gave up natural intercourse with women and burned with lust for one another. Men did shameful things with men and thus received in their own persons the penalty for their perversity"".
As far as gay marriage and adoption, man made laws can make it legal. But the problem with man made laws is that they're subject to change.
Willet at 12:33PM on Jul 18th 2008
27. To all the bible lovers that keep pulling that card: God loves everyone equally. To say that someone might go to hell for loving someone of the same gender is selling God short. My God is one who loves and accepts EVERY ONE. I think He would be disgusted by all this intolerance that we have towards each other. We should be spending time bothering rapists and killers NOT gay people.
It's not hurting you so find something else to do with your life that's constructive instead of bringing others down.
Kala at 12:37PM on Jul 18th 2008
28. How many people would be outraged in our culture if we said that everyone else in America could marry except the Jew or African American? Ultimately,the choice will no longer be left up to individuals that utilize the bible or civil arguements to perpetuate bigotry or inequality. The gay community is no longer in a position where we have to ask for equal rights and opportunities or to have to rely on others to define our identity in this culture. Politically and economically we are more organized than ever and will demand the equality we are entitled too.
Anthony at 12:54PM on Jul 18th 2008
29. I don't understand why christians have such a problem with gay people. Its not like they are coming into your house and trying to turn your whole family gay. They don't go door to door and try to get you to convert. All they want is to have the same basic rights as everyone else. Give me one GOOD (I stress the word good) reason why they should be denied these rights. Oh and quoting scripture isn't going to cut it, I would like to hear a reason that would actually hold up in a court of law.
Rah at 1:02PM on Jul 18th 2008
30. Why do Christians insist on foring their beleifs on everyone. Christianity is not the sole Religion. Christians can be the most egotistical of them all though. Why hate and belittle other people who do not beleive in what you guys do. Christianity is based on all the other religions..FAITH.. You are basically hoping you guys are right in your beliefs.
Leave people alone and let people be happy. Live your own lives. Your personal beliefs should not affect others lives.
Bignacka at 1:20PM on Jul 18th 2008