US magazine has the scoop on Ellen's marriage to girlfriend Portia De Rossi, which took place at their home Saturday night. Curiously, the union has put pressure on the Australian government to legalize gay marriage, The Canberra Times reports (De Rossi is Australian, and 60% of the country reportedly supports the institution).
Speaking of pressure, check out this clip of John McCain being questioned about gay marriage on Ellen. Talk about awkward!
Congratulations to the happy couple!
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. I really like how Ellen presents her argument. It's simply a matter of treating any two people who are in a loving relationship with exactly the same level of dignity. We learned in the days of segregation that "separate but equal" rarely ends up being equal in practice. If they really are equal, then why the need for separation in the first place?
I'm not surprised that Australia is feeling pressure to institute gay marriage because most Aussies approve of it. Most industrial countries are far ahead of us in this category, and unfortunately, with Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich (the only two candidates who supported gay marriage) out of the running for President, we will probably continue to be far behind. In Obama's case, considering that he's the son of a Black/White couple, I find it upsetting that he really believes it's OK to prevent same-sex couples from marrying and that "separate but equal" partnership contracts will be acceptable.
Finally, has it occurred to anyone that if same-sex marriage were legalized, then people would be less affected by it than they are now? As long as it isn't legal, we have to keep talking about it. If it were legal, then people like Ellen could get married at their private marriage ceremonies, without affecting anyone who is against her right to do so, since those people will (in the case of weddings for non-famous same-sex couples) likely not be invited and will do whatever other things they had planned for the day anyway.
Rubber Duckie at 9:44AM on Aug 18th 2008
2.
"If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?..."
I agree with Ellen, homosexuals are people just like anyone else. My not understanding homosexuality in no way equates to thinking they should not enjoy equall rights.
mac at 9:57AM on Aug 18th 2008
3. To be fair, Barack Obama also recently stated that marriage should be between a man and woman but that he is against a constitutional amendment to block gay marriage. Pretty much the same exact position as John McCain.
Tony Messinger at 10:38AM on Aug 18th 2008
4. Homosexuality is abnormal, but it isn't chosen by members of that group. It is partly inborn and partly acquired.
Bob at 11:58AM on Aug 18th 2008
5. I WISH ELLEN AND PORTIA THE BEST!!!
Ursula at 12:32PM on Aug 18th 2008
6. Way to go McCain for standing for what you believe, and Ellen also, very articulate in her thoughts and feelings. I think the problem is people no longer value " sex" as being sacred and moral. Obviously Sex was not only intended for showing love, but the result being procreating the human family. That's what God intended and it's what' right and normal.
Two people who love each other and are same gender attracted...can't procreate, therefor it's un-natural. Too many people have sex outside of marriage now, so that's been a big problem in promoting marriage between two people of the same gender. Some people who have high values and standards would also agree sex outside of marriage between a man and woman is wrong as well., So, if you aren't married...the best thing would be obstain from any sexual relations. The world has simply put- Perverted sex, it's turned something beautiful, amazing, and miraculous..into common gratification, self gratification..pleasure only. etc. It's sad really. I feel for those who might be prone to same gender attraction..I know alot of good people who are, but I am not willing to let the sacredness of marriage be perverted, because of it.
paula at 1:14PM on Aug 18th 2008
7. Ellen needs to learn one thing. Only the bride wears white. The groom needs to wear black or some other dark color.
Kent at 1:42PM on Aug 18th 2008
8. Eric Zorn of the Chicago Tribune has a novel idea. Instead of calling the legal arrangement between two people a marriage, call it a civil union. Thereby, everyone is united in civil unions.
Thus, people who are united in a civil union by a clergyman (or clergywoman) are also united in a marriage.
Remember that marriages existed long before governments got in the business of issuing licenses and allowing divorces throught government-run court systems. Simply put, governemtn chose the term marriage, because everyone knew what a marriage was.
By the same token, certain religious denominations don't recognize all marriages. The Roman Catholic Church doesn't recognize marriages performed by judges.
So, the question of marriage ought to be left to religious groups, while the government recognizes only civil unions.
Kent at 1:44PM on Aug 18th 2008
9. How typical hypocritical of McCain. He has the nerve to sit on HER show and tell how he basically hates gay people. If it had been me, I would have shown him to the door - the back door, just to insult him. McCain is also against gays adopting - yet he has an adopted daughter himself. Shame on him.
Anyway, congratulations to Ellen and her partner.
David S. at 1:58PM on Aug 18th 2008
10. "Sex was not only intended for showing love, but the result being procreating the human family. That's what God intended and it's what' right and normal."
Paula
*************************************************
So, according to your logic, if you happen to be one of those women who goes into menopause early - say around age 40 - then your husband would be within his rights to leave you for a more "fertile" woman - since sex is meant for procreation and you will no longer be able to procreate, but he still can. Meanwhile, you can spend the NEXT 40 years of your life secure in the knowledge that you've fulfilled your "purpose" in life by making babies, and now you're just obsolete.
Get real!
I hope Ellen and Portia have many wonderful years together, and I congratulate them heartily. I think ANY couple, regardless of gender, who is truly in love and willing to commit to sharing a life together, has the right to do so publicly and legally.
The real shame is that those of us in the "straight" community do not take our marriage vows seriously enough, and are not willing to work at making our marriages a success. We expect to "live happily ever after", and when we hit a bump in the road, we run for the hills instead of working to resolve problems and save the relationship.
So before all you holier-than-thou types criticize gays for wanting to be married, maybe you ought to take a closer look at your own marriages. It's not gay marriage that is tearing our families apart - it's our own failure to understand what it takes to make a relationship work, and unwillingness to put in the effort necessary.
Maureen at 2:30PM on Aug 18th 2008
11. Good for Ellen! I'm happy for them. I can't believe McCain had the nerve to go on her show if he hated homosexuals so much. I agree with Ellen, if 2 people love each other, then it shouldn't matter.
Emma at 3:01PM on Aug 18th 2008
12. Despicable! and Sickening.
CD at 4:19PM on Aug 18th 2008
13. I agree with Maureen. I am a straight, happily married woman with 2 children. I have found happiness and love with a man. But, I have always felt that gays should be able to get married. They fall in love, and have feelings just like straight people. They just so happen to fall in love with someone of the same gender. I do not understand it, but they cannot understand me. So, who am I to judge? And, Paula...you say that gay sex is perverted sex? Hmmm...did you know in some religions there is only 1 "natural" and "right" way for a husband and wife to have sex? So, if you are having sex with your husband in any other form..it was/is considered perverse. Congratulations to Ellen and Portia!
Dee at 4:29PM on Aug 18th 2008
14. Paula....the "sacredness of marriage being perverted"? The reality is, that's a lot of lip service, and the sacredness of marriage certainly can't be legislated. It is sacred only as far as the 2 people involved make it. I didn't hear any protests about quickie Vegas weddings that last a day or two, or arranged marriages of young girls by religious leaders, or people getting married while drunk and silly, etc. There's your non-sacred "marriages." But it's a man and a woman so it's ok? No? How far do you want to go to legislate it then? Frankly, besides those examples of the sacred marriage myth, us heterosexual married types haven't done such a good job with the institution. Marriages are rife with abuse, (mental, physical and sexual,) infidelity, divorce, fighting and bickering, resentments and disappointments.....and all kinds of other non-sacred treatment of partners. Just because a man and a woman get married does not make it sacred. And recognizing the union of gay couples does not jeopardize YOUR marriage. If your marriage means less, or is less sacred because of it, well, you've got a big problem. Your other point is equally poorly thought out. Such rigid guidelines! Watch out all you infertile couples, if you're not making babies, you have no right to have sex or be married. And if you miscarry and/or can't deliver live babies, same rules. And no birth control EVER.
Like another poster stated, if you're too old procreate, then stop having sex with your partner. I suspect that most, if not all objection to same sex marriages is routed in one's religion, as yours appears to be. Well, follow your own religion and beliefs, and don't infringe upon the rights of others with your dogma, not everyone shares your view. Your religion has failed you in the empathy department. Try to imagine...the US takes a turn in population. The majority are now (Islamic, Jehovah's Witness, Scientologists, Mormon) PICK ONE.....and now that majority want our laws on marriage to reflect their views. Ok with you?
Jude at 5:37PM on Aug 18th 2008
15. We can mark this as day one of the 'threat to the sanctity of marriage' argument. Anyone's sanctity destroyed yet? I can imagine a big OSHA type compliance sign [131] non injury days since the last marriage became unsanct at Ellenco.
When Ellen came out years ago, I think she hit her comedic stride right afterwards - she just got a lot more relaxed, developed sharper timing and was a lot funnier to me. Best wishes to both and those going along the same path. If my sanctity gets all threatened, i'll get me a mojo hand or something.
Clif Kuplen at 6:42PM on Aug 18th 2008