I posted message on my Yahoo group, "Real Gay People," and thought it would be worth posting here as well. There's still more to consider for it, but I like the overall idea of it. So without further ado, here it is:

I got to thinking today about the recent election, and had in mind the whole idea of Texas amending their constitution to ban gay marriage. This, to me, is not something that should be in a constitution, but that's not the point I wanted to make.

I am for gay marriage, not only because I have a vested interested in it, and for more reasons than simply equality. I think allowing gay couples to marry would do much to improve the current situation of the gay community. Like it or not, many in the gay commnity are promiscuous (of course, that's true for the hetero world as well), and thereis a problem especially among gay men of STDs being spread. Do a Google News search for "gay" and chances are you'll find articles published by the medical profession about the rise of STD rates in gay men (less so than for lesbians). The far right takes this information and declares the gay "lifestyle" an unhealthy one, fraught with problems and disease.

However, I see things differently. For me, it has been difficult to find people who are interested in a real relationship, instead seeming more interested in sex. I know that not everyone is like this, as I myself am not, and really do want a lasting relationship. Call me an idealist, but I love the idea of a life partner, someone with whom I can share my life wholly and without guilt or worry. This is why I think marriage for gay couples should be encouraged.

After having read and listened to many people's stories, I have seen some interesting trends. I have noticed that gay people wind up meeting and then living together shortly after they begin dating, sometimes within a matter of weeks or a few months. I do know of straight people who do this too, but I know of even more straight people who date for longer periods before moving in, and many do look forward to getting married. If gay couples had the benefit of marriage, it might encourage many to have more formal periods of dating, and then eventually getting marriage. I have no doubt in my mind that it would give hope to many more young people (I include myself here), and maybe we would see a trend to a healthier community.

Whether we want to see them or not, the gay community does have its downsides (after all, what community doesn't?), and we must work as a group to improve things. It will be yet another reason to celebrate differences, and to improve all our lives.