Originally posted by Sirrahsim
However, please do not reply unless you have *data* that I can use thanks a bunch.

I think that if two people of the same sex wanted to spend the rest of their lives together, and buy each other rings, and have a legal ceremony, and have all the same legal rights than that's all well and good. But the thing that I and many many other Americans will NEVER be ok with is for same sex "marriages" to be referred to as "marriages".

PLEASE don't give me opinions, give me verifiable, scientific data.

Um...don't you think that is a trifle bit unfair to make such an inflammatory statment about what you and "many many other Americans..." believe, but then say we can't give OUR opinions?

That is like saying, "Well, I think you all are a bunch of idiots, but, your opinion of me is not allowed to be mentioned..."....come on, surely you don't really expect people to not respond with opinion? I don't know where you got your 'statistical data' to support what "many many Americans..." feel..but, I am surely American and do NOT support that statment about marriage! Anymore than I support the term 'marriage' for the two people that are legally wed, yet the husband beats the tar out of the female time after time after time. Marriage means alot of things to alot of people.

If you want 'verifiable, scientific data..' might I suggest you come to the table with it first? (and I am not sure how you will get verifiable, scientific data on such an intensely social issue....)