New Miss CA: No to Gay Marriage

@ Alexandra : the "phrase" would refer to the formal type of registration of the aternate unions. It would definitely have to be different, but you could call it whatever seems appropriate, except for plain marriage. The government would not recognize the unions as being equal but it could be close; possibly also much depending on the occasion.

How about "Alternate Bonding" or even "Alternate Marriage"?! I would probably not object to either. As far as rights are concerned, I doubt that equal adoption rights are a good idea; but I don't see a necessity for other restrictions so far.

Mark, that's all we've been saying, except for the terminology, where it seems appropriate to use "civil marriage" for that which the government recognizes for ALL married couples. (The phrase "homosexual bonding" is offensive, sounds like something animals do, is that what you meant? Shall we also refer to "heterosexual bonding" for your kind of marriage?) Now getting back to respectful dialogue - of course, people would be free to have a religious or church marriage, but that's something they can do privately (it would be the same as a civil marriage held in the courthouse as far as the government is concerned). Would that be acceptable to your side? If not, why not? If so, there might just be hope for a solution to this hateful situation which pits neighbor against neighbor.

There's no question if gays have equality we all have the freedom of choice to engage in marriage. The issue is that changing the understood definition of marriage to include same sex participants would violate constitutional rights and the religious freedom of heterosexual participants in marriage by forcing a fundamentally opposite religious definition upon them. Proponents for changing the definition of marriage protest any divide in the categorization of homosexual/heterosexual legal bonds. Yet there is still the use of this conjunctive wording "Gay-Marriage". Why not simply annex the term "Homosexual Bonding" and grant it the same legal accountability to "Marriage" and be done with the whole argument. Then the opinions of people who are threatened by gays would be mute in the eyes of the law. Equal but different and yes both gays and straights have the the equal rights to choose which configuration they wish to engage. Everyone has equal rights.

Why on earth are we paying ANY attention to this beauty contest? As if having Donald Trump's name associated with such a venture, in the first place, is not reason enough to ignore this annual spectacle of sexism and softcore porn.

Many of the founding fathers believed that religion was dangerous when mixed with politics. And many of them were atheist or agnostic. We are a nation of diversities. No single religion should be allowed to govern us all. Oh and BTW if gay's getting married threatens your marriage, it wasn't that strong to begin with.

If I were a conservative, religious individual I would be appalled at their complete disregard for what some people believe to be a "traditional marriage" in the eyes of the law. So why is it okay for them to get married and not us? This is why I feel we as a community need to advocate for civil unions for everyone, gay and straight on the federal level. We are not governed by Christian doctrine. Leave "marriage" for the religious institutions to fight over. contd.

Straight people are the only ones (since we're not allowed to marry) who have destroyed the sanctity of marriage. Look at Elliot Spitzer, John Edward, Bill Clinton, and countless other's infidelity, Britney Spears (52 hours I believe for her first), and however many times Elizabeth Taylor has been married. Don't even get me started on Ted Haggard and Larry Craig. These people all identify with being heterosexual. contd.

She is a beauty queen. Since when does a beauty queens opion matter? They do nothing to promote change or policy! I don't really care. I care about my view to promote Equality For ALL in same sex marriage. One day there will be more of us and will WIN all states to marry in. A shame that so many are making it such a hard road for US to share our life with a husband and wife and told we are not equal. To hell with Ms. California and anyone else who does not believe I have the same right as them. And that includes our President who I am so disappointed in. Let the beauty queens do their Mall and Car Wash openings.... AND lastly...maybe the Advocate.. and other Gay outlets can ask ALL Gay and Lesbians who do hair, make up, costumes, etc... to protest against all beauty agents until WE as a people get their support!! They wouldn't be so pretty after all, now would they?

Why are you all responding to this person, sb? He/she keeps repeating him/herself. Let him/her fade away . . .