Dolly Parton Voices Support for Gay Marriage

Gays have existed since the beginning of time. It goads me to have someone pretend to understand the bible, the basis of their RELIGION, and really not have a clue as to what it actually says. The bible "defines" marriage in many ways... some men had MANY wives, some married the wives of their dead brothers, some were sold into marriage, but no where does it state that marriage is SOLELY between one and one woman. If it did, you wouldnt have christian sects in polygamous marriages. That is simply claptrap that the religious right uses as a sound bite because it SOUNDS good (if you're heterosexual). The fact is simply that marriage in the united states when it comes to GOVERNMENT recognition is a CIVIL issue not a religious one. If you don't believe in same sex marriage then don't get married to someone of the same sex, but don't force your personal RELIGIOUS beliefs on other people, just like you wouldn't want others to force theirs on you. Dolly is an amazing woman for being as loving and supportive as she has been to EVERYONE. More people should be like her.

To all the homophobes in this "equal" world:
This just makes you think what kind of people live in this society. A kind of society that is "enhanced" and "sophisticated", yet we discriminate a certain group of people for the ones they love. How sick and twisted can this world get? Soon, we will revert to the old times where women who even blurted out one intelligent statement and any non-heterosexuals were stoned and hanged, and called witches and demons.
Wow. Just wow.
I am just a girl of fifteen years old, and I understand and have more compassion that other people that are way older than me. Then adults have the audacity to say they known better. That they are wise. That they know what is right for everything.That's why gay marriage is illegal in almost all states?Is that it?
I swear, how corrupt can this place get, where people only care about themselves and who they marry, not others? I bet that if the people that are all homophobic about these things now, were homosexual, they would fight for there right to marry. Right?
People have to stop and think about others feelings.
Sorry if I go off on a tangent here, but this animosity and negative feelings is what causes discrimination and prejudice in all of the groups of people known as "minorities."Even people that do not enjoy the idea of intercourse with another partner in general are shunned and ignored. Is there some sort of general mold that we all have to fit?Do all the females have to be skinny and beautiful, and all the men muscular and amazingly sexy. Does everyone have to be of the heterosexual nature?

Please everyone, think before you say things, and think before you act.
We all deserve to live our one and only life to the fullest, and be able to spend our lives in matrimony with the person that matters most. Whether it be male and female, male and male, female and female, or interracial, people should have the right to have peace and justice.

Imagine life being shunned in society for doing something like loving?
How would the heterosexual couples feel if they were in this situation?

I am a gay male and I feel Offended by some/ most of the comments posted. I recently had this very discussion with my family. I am shocked that our country is still filled with hate and immoral judgment, Every time people get in to the argument of gay marriage and equal rights someone has to point out that homosexual rights are different, well here is something you should know, civil = Civilian (which are people who reside in an area) and Homosexuals = Civilians ( people all over the world who reside in towns, city's, and provinces) in a normal world the civilian is not characterized by his or her gender role, orientation or job title but in face for their role as a civilian to the town in which they live. there for civil rights pertains to the rights of all people. if all people do not have rights then we need to work harder because it is not fair nor right to keep people from expressing their love for one another. and while I maybe not taken seriously, think about this, if your son, daughter, sister, brother, cousin, best friend, co-worker, doctor, therapist, accountant...exc. were gay or lesbian, wouldn't you want them to be happy? wouldn't you want them to have the same love you do? inside of each of us is a flame, this flame is of the love we share for everyone on the planet, when you say no to someone and you judge people and say they can not be married that flame diminishes so instead of being a warm hearten person you are cold, and closed off, you have become the reason that we still talk about this subject, you are the reason that America is separated. So open your mind and heart to the millions of beautiful people not for who they love but for the fact they love at all.

I'm not sure that the LGBT community cares whether we approve or disapprove of them. I think they want what everybody else has. It's that simple.

Check your text. Jesus never said one word about homosexuality, so be more accurate before you start your bible thumping. (The Bible DOES endorse slavery, are you proposing that we adopt that injustice again, too?)

I think heteros are just angry about giving up a right they feel no one else should have. It's kind of territorial and juvenile. We can't feel as privleged about ourselves if "others" have our rights.

It's way past due that all Americans have equal rights. If religious institutions want to lag behind and discriminate, it's a tragedy, but, heck, it's their choice. But our government needs to step up to the plate, as many, many intelligent countries have, and re-kindle that wonderful spirit which tells us we all have the right to pursue our happiness. For most of us, marriage has been our greatest gift, celebrated by our families, our friends and legalized by our government. Time to be brave, spread the kindness and recognize gays and lesbians should enjoy those rights too.

And as far as the comment about Evolutionists not believing in homosexuality because "after one generation the species die out".... If your statement about evolutionists is true ( and sorry, it sounds more like rhetoric from evangelical pseudo-science)gays and lesbians would be INCAPABLE of procreating...but of course they are capable and they, in fact, DO procreate....just like the heterosexual parents did that raised them.

Great language on a public forum that can be read by kids. Oh are you a fundamentalist Christian too?

I'm not going to argue about clearly prejudice belief systems. I'm going to argue law. We live in the United States of America, a country who's Constitution clearly states not only freedom of religion (which, btw, also means freedom FROM religion), clearly states that the government shall not make any law respecting a religion. That's what is commonly and colloquially known as the "separation of Church and State." Perhaps some of you have heard of it? It's kind of a big deal. This means that the government can not make a law based on any one religion. That includes Christianity. So there's one major point.

The other major thing is... why is it even about Christian morals in the first place? There are people of ALL faiths in this country, and people with no religion at all. Also, marriage is not a uniquely Christian idea, nor even a uniquely religious idea. Marriage exists in many different forms the world over. It's different based on region and culture and history. It is NOT a "Christian" thing. Indeed, especially in America, it doesn't even have to be a religious thing. Two people can marry, with no mention of God, in a Justice of the Peace office. It is a purely governmental issue then. No God involved. So why exactly should Christian, or indeed any religious, morality be involved? Remember, separation between Church and State.

In this country marriage is two-fold. It is a government issue and can be (though not always) a religious issue. They're still two separate things. If you go through the church ceremony, but don't sign a legal marriage license, the government does not recognize you as married. You can, however, sign the license, forgo the church service, and still be married in the eyes of the law. So... why can't homosexuals do that? Sure, their life would still be an "abomination in the eyes of the Lord". But it would be anyway. If they're in love enough to get married, then they'll still live together even without the marriage. Either way, they're gay and "going to Hell." So why shouldn't they be allowed to get the government's blessing (and associated tax benefits)? Your church/synagogue/mosque/Wiccan coven/whatever doesn't have to recognize it, or perform the ceremony, or approve of it. You're still free to spew your evil hatred all over this great nation, from sea to shining sea. (I recommend avoiding places like Broadway and San Francisco on this hate-fuelled cross-country journey, though.)

There is no conceivable logical, Constitutionally sound argument against gay marriage. It's all fuelled by religion, and that is something which has NO place in determining the laws of this country. If you want to live in a theocracy, feel free to move to one. I hear the Middle East is lovely this time of year, and you're in luck because they sure do hate the queers. However, while you live in the United States of America, and nation founded on the principles of equality, you really do need to stop your hate-mongering and preaching, and let people live their lives. Yes, they might go to "hell," but that'll be good for you--you won't have to see them and their evil activities anymore because you'll be up in "heaven."

man of god? pwawawawaa. of course, i wouldn't put my tongue on joel osteen either, he is repulsive!

DOLLY ROCKS! i have always found her to be a talented and beautiful person. i met her many, many years ago when i was just a boy. i still remember her kind smiling face. she was and is so very cool........ on another note, i cannot believe the amount of hate-filled and fear-washed so-called christians that post their ignorance for the world to see. you people post the most ridiculous and erroneous things. when i believed i chistianity and attended church, we always heard how we were to go out and love the drug addicts and prostitutes and gossips and thieves, etc, etc, because sin is sin. except for homosexuality. there is no love for the gays. for some reason, christians place homosexuality above so many other sins. you never hear of church folks condemning men who have sex with their wives during the period. that too is an abomination. so is eating shellfish and wearing two different woven fabrics.

GOD HATES FISH EATERS!!!

ridiculou, huh?

Thank you Dolly Parton! Your whole "judge not lest ye be judge" attitude is in the true spirit of being a Christian. Basically what Parton is saying is that until you walk in the shoes of a gay or lesbian, don't judge them. Reba and other are right there with you. I suspect there are many others in the country music world who'd like to say the same, but are afraid of fan backlash. Dolly doesn't care about backlash here.

As a gay man who has been in a loving relationship for 18 years, I can tell you that I feel married....the good parts and the bad parts. We will get there some day in the eyes of the people. In the eyes of the benevolent God-Christ-Spirit I believe in, we will get there too. Maybe your God is different than mine, and that's fine with me. I don't judge you for that.

Bottom line people: BE NICE. Be nice to others..........yourself..........the earth........and your higher power. Really do this and there won't be any arguments about who loves who and why.

They say gay and lesbian women dont deserve equal rights but gay people always come in handy when someone needs to reinvent their career, or rebuild a runned down area, or need a good subplot in a story or be the source of comic relief at a party! Gay people are great people and in truth bring more value to the table than most people. Society puts so many labels on who we each. Just imagine that without all the labels we would simply be all the same. Labels are like the oceans. Its the only thing that can separate us from the rest of the world. Peace and good sex to all no matter who you do in your bedroom, car, backyard, basement, laundry room, elevator, office, etc...