7 countries now offering same-sex marriage and the U.S. is nowhere in sight. What a disgrace! So much for being #1, NOT!

@ Robert, NYC. What planet are you on? The US is a Christian version of Iran! Anyone from Canada, Europe or other post-Christian nations knows from visits, friends and TV that the US could never be #1 for gay rights when you have such a large number of so-called evangelical Christians. It just will not happen. And why should you be #1 anyway? Arrogant imperialism.

@Normal queer:

Normal Queer….don't be so condescending. First of all, its a poor excuse that because America has so many evangelical cultists as the reasons why there is no progress on gay rights, absolute b.s. What about Spain…a heavily Roman Catholic country? Belgium too and half of Holland is Catholic! South Africa's black population is one of the most antigay in the country and its churches equally so, yet they were able to do it.

As for being #1, you just don't understand the point I was making. It was a dig at the U.S. always claiming to be #1, nothing more. It isn't, never was nor will it be. Nobody has that right to such a claim and if they do, its arrogance at best. As a supposed champion of human rights, I expected far more from our country with or without evangelicals. All it takes is leadership and courage, just like Prime Minister Zapatero of Spain, to stick his neck out and risk being voted out of office, along with his party. So don't use religious cultists in the US as an excuse, there is none, and a lame one at that. The problem is, there is no will to do it and its nothing more than cowardice. We too are to blame for not holding their (politicians) feet to the fire, years of kissing up to them hasn't worked, and it won't work, ever.

@Robert, NYC:

I'm with you, Robert. I think Normal Queer misunderstood what you were saying.

Your points are very well taken. Excellent post.

@Charles J. Mueller:

Charles, many thanks! I think we will eventually win the argument for same-sex marriage, not just as a basic civil right but the economic advantages from having it will have an impact on states once they realize that Massachusetts and Connecticut and Canada are gaining much needed revenue from out of state couples while their own states end up the losers. In this current economic crisis….no state can afford to lose revenue. It was estimated by the NYC comptroller a couple of years ago that NY State stands to realize at least $220 million in revenues as a result of marriages taking place in the state. It makes sound economic sense to open marriage to all LGBT people, nationwide.

it is R I K S D A G and as "the parliament" R I K S D A G E N, which makes more sence in this sentence. And the misplacement of the K and S causes the word to mean "Risk Day"

but on the other hand:

Hurra för köns-neutrala äktenskapslagar!

Hooray for gender-neutral marriage laws!

Once Norway legalized same-sex marriage, I figured the other Scandinavian countries would follow suit. Their legal systems are largely based off each other. And changes in one country tend to affect everyone else in the neighborhood. After Sweden enacts gender neutral marriage, look for Denmark to take up the issue.

@Robert, NYC:

Robert, your parallel between Belgium (or other european countries, but i'll talk about Belgium which I know well) and the USA is misleading. Superficially there may be about the same proportion of people claiming to be religious, but it has actually a very different meaning. The distance people tend to keep with their faith is far greater here. The attendance to churches is very very low. There is absolutely no politician who would dare to invoke god in a speech, that would sounds weird and out of place. There had never been any attack on clinics doing abortions (that is almost any clinic, even most of the catholic related ones). I could go on exemples… but you see the picture, we're a more secular society.

When the laws on gay marriage and children adoption went on parliament, even the catholic related party voted for it (at least one of the 2, the biggest one). They tried to stall a bit first, but without energy, and then they just went to other matters.

So, I really think that it will be far more difficult in you country than mine. That does not mean it's worthless to fight for it of course, it will be eventually be a hard won victory where, in Belgium, it has been an easy one.

PRAISE THE LORD

Dearly beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Greetings of love, mercy, grace and happiness be to you in the most just and judicious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is my profound joy and happiness to speak to you through this letter of love and fellowship.
I am extremely happy to ventilate my grievances to you. As I am a poor pastor, I feel at a great pleasure have you my sponsor and mentor. I would like to place people of this area are poverty stricken. We have been facing an cenprecedental crisis and our children are suffering from lack in education. There are no charitable trusts other missionary trusts to help us. Because of their distance to education. We, have resolved to start a children home and a school prayerfully. If any one comes forward and for Evangelism and for the Evangelists. We have prayed profoundly. When we prayed to God we have seen Christian websites for God’s glory and we are able to recognize your work and prayerfully informing you these things and we be reach your kind and benign support and very kind of you and accept our letter of appeal and extend your support we pray the needs we have:
1. To develop the children deserted in education due to financial troubles.
2. Supporting the poor pastors try providing bicycle and financial support.
3. To console and comfort the AIDS and LEPRACY Patients and to help the people loose their houses in natural calamities. These are our major requirements and request you to help us in these tasks.
Thanking you

Your Brother in Christ

Pastor N.John