The U.S. House Speaker, California Representative (8th District), Nancy Pelosi and both Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, the two senators representing California, have voiced their opposition to Proposition 8, as have the mayors of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego: Gavin Newsom, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Jerry Sanders respectively. All six of the state’s largest newspapers have editorialized against Proposition 8: the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Diego Union-Tribune,The Orange County Register, The Sacramento Bee and the San Jose Mercury News. Other papers to have editorialized in opposition include The New York Times. The nonpartisan League of Women Voters of California opposes Proposition 8 because “no person or group should suffer legal, economic or administrative discrimination.” Thanks Ellen for your support and all the laughs…it’s good to see you and Portia so happy in your relationship! We wish you well!!!

Thank you Ellen for all that you have done for the gay community! If I lived in Calif., I would certainly vote no on 8. Unfortunately, I live in Missouri where the idea is not even discussed. Congrats on your wedding! Maybe one day the rest of the country will catch up to California.

I feel soooo strongly about this issue! Who is being hurt by allowing people to be committed to one another in a loving relationship?? I doubt if these bigots who are fighting this have ever known a gay person personally - their fears are so horribly misguided and unfounded!! My adorable son and his partner have been together almost 16 years and although they have taken what legal steps available to them through power of attorney etc. - they fact that they still do not enjoy all the privileges that ALL people in the US should be allowed to have is a very sad commentary and blight on our nation’s fairness and compassion meter!! This next remark is tacky - but how I feel: I would rather have a gay couple living next to me in wedded bliss than Sarah Palin and her bigoted views!! If not wedded - at least with civil union rights!

I love Ellen’s show. As for the marriage thing - it’s for a man and a woman. Period. However…if two people of the same sex wish to “call it” marriage then so be it. Have at it. I totally think it’s up to each state to decide. (which is how Palin feels)

I am one of those people that do not believe in changing the laws to allow for same sex marriages. This is where the hypocrite in me really shines through. There are a millions subjects that I can speak to that address equal rights and equal treatment under the law. I voice my opinions online and off about how the country is changing and how we must all learn to change with it. Yet this subject is one I pray will always remain steadfast. It is a sacred bond between a man and a woman. I don’t know why I feel this way, I can’t begin to rationalize it…..but to see two men or two women legally marry to some extent mocks it in my eyes….minimizes the importance of it. Maybe to some extent I am saying I don’t believe another woman could truly love me as much or in the same way a man can. Trust me the hypocrisy is not lost on me. Two same sex people who truly love and care for one another should have the same rights under the law as those of different races, ethnicities or religions. I consider myself an evolved and embracive woman, however as you can see there is one hurdle I have yet to overcome.

belinda, our laws are made for all of society, not just the people of your church. you say:”It is a sacred bond between a man and a woman.” if it were just a matter of religion and not law, we would not have to legislate to attain equality. ellen, your happiness is a joy to see.

Belinda…I would have to agree with you…it is a subject with me that I find hard to say why I feel marriage is between a man and a woman, maybe I feel that way b/c that is what is said in the Bible…I know, I know, I know, the Bible says a lot of things that I dont agree with BUT I do agree with marriage between a man and a woman…I am not scared of gay’s and have plenty of friends that are gay & yes I feel for them when it comes to certain decisions that have to be made BUT your relationship is not normal to me…To me normal is man w/ a woman…I think each state should make their own decision about gay marriage. A friend of mine has an 8 year old son…one day at the mall we were there & there were 2 gay males sitting at the table next to us,enjoying their lunch, nothing major…then all of a sudden they kissed and it was a deep loving kiss…My friend’s son about freaked out, he had never seen two men kissing the way Mommy & Daddy kissed and YES it was that type of kiss before the two departed…Myself and my friend along with several others who say this PDA was, lets say, could not finish our lunches…Then to have to explain to an 8 year old and other parents having to explain to their children…b/c when they kissed her 8 year old and other kids about his age all yelled “Mommy ewww those two men are kissing”….the gay couple actually smiled like a smart ass smile…That I didnt like and helped as best as I could to explain to his 8 year old why two grown men were kissing…he was freaked out for a couple of weeks wondering if he was going to end up gay…and this is coming from a child who never once paid attention to the color of someone’s skin until he started school and came home one day & he was upset b/c his skin color was different then his best friends…so needless to say he doesnt come from a family that is against gays…Just wasnt something at 8 he had ever been around or seen… Oh well…that is just my opinion…I am for everyone enjoying being LOVED b/c I know I enjoy it from my man…If you can find that LOVE great, enjoy it…

I think, with the divorce rate sky high, men and women have sorta proven they don’t deserve to corner the market on marriage. Sheesh! And I think most people in enduring marriages will be the first to tell you, it has a lot more to do with commitment and emotional support than anything that goes on in the bedroom. Reproduction is the ONLY thing that can be accomplished by one man and one woman…and too often the couple doesn’t care to raise the offspring…so criminy! I’m over the whole marriage fantasy, but if ANY two people think they can pull it off, more power…wait…ALL power to them!