# UK's first gay marriages today. What negative consequences can we expect to see? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 19, 2005, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315 "2005-12-19T17:17:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/1 "2005-12-19T17:17:56Z")
The UK’s [first gay marriages](http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2429532005) took place today. Are any opponents of gay marriage willing to propose some objectively measurable negative (_eg._ rise in heterosexual divorce rate, or something) which they believe will be consequent of it? If opposition to gay marriage is not _irrational_ (_ie._ based on faith or arbitrary prejudice), then we have an opportunity here for opponents to suggest genuine _reasons_ why it ought not be made equal to heterosexual marriage, and wait and see if those predictions are borne out from this day hence. I, of course, can think of no such rationale, given that both my wife and I (married in a non-religious ceremony) and my friend and his wife (who cannot bear children) fall under the description “married”. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/2 "2005-12-19T17:23:16Z")
What, Nazis riding dinosaurs, and rivers of blood and lava aren’t objectively bad enough for you? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/3 "2005-12-19T17:29:18Z")
Expensive Court challenges? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/4 "2005-12-19T17:31:21Z")
> [@SentientMeat](#): > > UK’s first gay marriages today. What negative consequences can we expect to see? The UK is doomed ! Doooomed !! Or not. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/5 "2005-12-19T18:41:02Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Expensive Court challenges? Whom are you expecting to challenge what? ---
**Author:** ![FlyingRamenMonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/6 "2005-12-19T18:59:50Z")
That’s strange. I thought it happened over a year ago. What’s going on here? ---
**Author:** ![Tevildo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Tevildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tevildo)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/7 "2005-12-19T18:59:58Z")
I should point out that it’s not _marriage_, just a “civil partnership”. Until _that_ bridge is crossed by the legislature, the gay community will continue to campaign. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/8 "2005-12-19T19:02:28Z")
I think the ads sum up the process fairly succinctly: Just for Married Couples Fix Your Marriage You can Save the Marriage Marriage Advice - Divorce ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/9 "2005-12-19T19:14:55Z")
Well, we’ve had real SSM in one state in the US for almost 2 years now. And except for the worst hurricane season in memory, God’s been pretty cool with it. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/10 "2005-12-19T19:17:49Z")
Forty years of darkness. Earthquakes, volcanoes…the dead rising from the grave…human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria. And probably picketing by people who think the world is coming to an end. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/11 "2005-12-19T19:24:18Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > Well, we’ve had real SSM in one state in the US for almost 2 years now. And except for the worst hurricane season in memory, God’s been pretty cool with it. 🆒 One should note, none of those hurricanes came anywhere near Massachusetts, or, as I like to call it, New Sodom. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/12 "2005-12-19T19:36:16Z")
> [@Menocchio](#): > > One should note, none of those hurricanes came anywhere near Massachusetts, or, as I like to call it, New Sodom. 😉 Be fair now, we got some pretty heavy rain one weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/13 "2005-12-19T19:37:50Z")
> [@Menocchio](#): > > One should note, none of those hurricanes came anywhere near Massachusetts, or, as I like to call it, New Sodom. 😉 Obvious proof, _proof_ that God hates straights ! ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/14 "2005-12-19T19:39:00Z")
> [@SentientMeat](#): > > The UK’s [first gay marriages](http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2429532005) took place today. I’ve a question about. I’ve heard it refered toas a “civil union” or somesuch, instead of marriage. So, my question is : is it equivalent to a marriage (like in Spain, for instance) or is it some sort of union that doesn’t grant all the rights married people normally enjoy (like in France, for instance)? ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/15 "2005-12-19T19:41:11Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Be fair now, we got some pretty heavy rain one weekend. Yes, I predict rain in the UK too during the coming months. If I’m right, it will prove God opposes gay marriage. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/16 "2005-12-19T19:43:52Z")
> [@Maureen](#): > > Forty years of darkness. Aha! So _that’s_ whose fault it is that the sun is setting before I leave work! 😉 > [@John Mace](#): > > Well, we’ve had real SSM in one state in the US for almost 2 years now. And except for the worst hurricane season in memory And it should be noted that the most damaging hurricane of that season hit [a state whose voters had overwhelmingly voted to ban same-sex marriage the previous year](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/08/12/national/main635437.shtml). ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/17 "2005-12-19T19:46:15Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > I’ve a question about. I’ve heard it refered toas a “civil union” or somesuch, instead of marriage. So, my question is : is it equivalent to a marriage (like in Spain, for instance) or is it some sort of union that doesn’t grant all the rights married people normally enjoy (like in France, for instance)? It is a legal contract > [@](#): > > Main partnership rights > > ``` > * Social security and pension benefits, including right to benefit from a dead partner's pension > > * Full recognition for life assurance schemes > > * Ability to succeed to tenancy rights > > * Next-of-kin visiting rights in hospitals > > ``` [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk\_news/politics/3585819.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3585819.stm) > [@](#): > > **by Maureen** > And probably picketing by people who think the world is coming to an end. Yep, the gobshites can be seen in the following link [BBC NEWS | UK | Northern Ireland | 'Gay weddings' first for Belfast](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4540226.stm) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/18 "2005-12-19T19:48:07Z")
> [@Anne Neville](#): > > And it should be noted that the most damaging hurricane of that season hit [a state whose voters had overwhelmingly voted to ban same-sex marriage the previous year](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/08/12/national/main635437.shtml). Come on. We know that was Satan retaliating against the righteous!! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/19 "2005-12-19T19:49:05Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Yes, I predict rain in the UK too during the coming months. If I’m right, it will prove God opposes gay marriage. Ahh, but [Deuteronomy 1:17](http://bible.cc/deuteronomy/11-17.htm) clearly states that God will _prevent_ rain from falling if He’s ticked off. So, if it does rain in the UK, then obviously God is OK with same-sex marriage. Given that and the weather we’ve been having in the Bay Area this past weekend, it doesn’t seem that God has any problem with gays… ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315/20 "2005-12-19T19:55:12Z")
[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk\_news/northern\_ireland/4540226.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4540226.stm) > [@](#): > > For a few short minutes, the divisions this issue provokes were on stark display. > > The hopes of some matched by the fears of others. > > Yet as the crowd dispersed, a pink stretch limousine glided into view. > > Henry Kane and Christopher Flanagan had arrived for the second ceremony of the morning. > > They slipped into the register office almost unnoticed. > > Two “bridegrooms” only too happy to avoid the media limelight on their big day. It seems the 2nd couple had a easier time that the first two women. Hopefully it will soon just become a mundane and boring event to everybody apart from the couple and their friends and families. I also look forward to the day when my government in the South will also recognise that discriminating against people because of their choice of partner is just wrong in this day and age. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315.md?page=2)