5 ms·

I realize the difference with Russia is that it is practically illegal for LGBT to exist but let's talk about the USA for a moment where 33 states refuse to con

by ck2 13y ago

I realize the difference with Russia is that it is practically illegal for LGBT to exist but let's talk about the USA for a moment where 33 states refuse to consider legalizing gay marriage and a few are even testing of the idea of emergency suspending ALL marriages just so people who are gay cannot marry if they cannot be excluded separately. There are still plenty of places in the USA where you could be killed for being gay, the difference is not by the state but by individuals. So we are not exactly a shining beacon ourselves.

mmanfrin 13y ago
the difference is not by the state but by individuals. And therein lies the distinction. We still have a long way to go, but our laws are structured and being structured in a way that protects those rights. Even though some states might be trying to push back the tide of tolerance, the momentum is seriously in the direction of equal rights. Every country has idiots and bigots, but when a state sponsors such bigotry, then the light should be shined on those wrongs. Our ignoble idiots exonerate actions of legislators and leaders in Russia.
- osipov 13y ago
  Did you know that in Russia you can't get fired for being gay? At the same time it is perfectly legal to do so in United States. When did it become legal in United States for gays to have sex? Kinda like in 2003...except 13 states have not repealed sodomy laws. By the way, sodomy is perfectly legal in Russia since 1993.
olegious 13y ago
From the white paper linked below- "Since 1993 gay sex was made legal in Russia, in 12 US States gay sex is a crime."
- magicalist 13y ago
  This hasn't been true since 2003 due to Lawrence v. Texas.
- JoshGlazebrook 13y ago
  I'm pretty sure that just refers to laws that are still "in place" but are not enforced because of Lawrence v. Texas[0]. 0. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_v._Texas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_v._Texas
- shalmanese 13y ago
  All state based sodomy laws were invalidated by Lawrence vs Texas in 2003 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_v._Texas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_v._Texas). The only reason the laws are still on the books is because they've been knowingly superceded.
  - osipov 13y ago
    Check out the Supremacy Clause http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supremacy_Clause http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supremacy_Clause "The supremacy of federal law over state law only applies if Congress is acting in pursuance of its constitutionally authorized powers." Congress does not have an authority to govern sexual conduct. Just because enforcement of sodomy laws has been unpopular long before 2003, doesn't mean they don't exist.
    - Lazare 13y ago
      ...wow. You really don't understand how the US legal system works, do you? Hint: The Supremacy Clause limits federal law; the product of the legislative branch. Lawrence v. Texas is court decision; the product of the judicial branch. That's like saying the second amendment requires the legalisation of marijuana because pot is a type of rifle. ><
mkr-hn 13y ago
Gay sex was a federal crime before 2003, and punishable by death in the 1700s. Progress is speeding up.
strlen 13y ago
That's not exactly a relevant comparison. We're not talking about a Prop 8 or DOMA supporter lecturing Russia. We're talking about a Google using their enormous soapboax to do so in a fresh, defiant, and powerful way. Google has been quite active in fighting for gay marriage within US, submitting amici briefs to the court cases, spending money on campaigns, and so forth...

by ck2 13y ago

mmanfrin 13y ago

the difference is not by the state but by individuals. And therein lies the distinction. We still have a long way to go, but our laws are structured and being structured in a way that protects those rights. Even though some states might be trying to push back the tide of tolerance, the momentum is seriously in the direction of equal rights. Every country has idiots and bigots, but when a state sponsors such bigotry, then the light should be shined on those wrongs. Our ignoble idiots exonerate actions of legislators and leaders in Russia.

osipov 13y ago
Did you know that in Russia you can't get fired for being gay? At the same time it is perfectly legal to do so in United States. When did it become legal in United States for gays to have sex? Kinda like in 2003...except 13 states have not repealed sodomy laws. By the way, sodomy is perfectly legal in Russia since 1993.

olegious 13y ago

From the white paper linked below- "Since 1993 gay sex was made legal in Russia, in 12 US States gay sex is a crime."

magicalist 13y ago
This hasn't been true since 2003 due to Lawrence v. Texas.
JoshGlazebrook 13y ago
I'm pretty sure that just refers to laws that are still "in place" but are not enforced because of Lawrence v. Texas[0]. 0. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_v._Texas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_v._Texas
shalmanese 13y ago
All state based sodomy laws were invalidated by Lawrence vs Texas in 2003 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_v._Texas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_v._Texas). The only reason the laws are still on the books is because they've been knowingly superceded.
- osipov 13y ago
  Check out the Supremacy Clause http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supremacy_Clause http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supremacy_Clause "The supremacy of federal law over state law only applies if Congress is acting in pursuance of its constitutionally authorized powers." Congress does not have an authority to govern sexual conduct. Just because enforcement of sodomy laws has been unpopular long before 2003, doesn't mean they don't exist.
  - Lazare 13y ago
    ...wow. You really don't understand how the US legal system works, do you? Hint: The Supremacy Clause limits federal law; the product of the legislative branch. Lawrence v. Texas is court decision; the product of the judicial branch. That's like saying the second amendment requires the legalisation of marijuana because pot is a type of rifle. ><

mkr-hn 13y ago

Gay sex was a federal crime before 2003, and punishable by death in the 1700s. Progress is speeding up.

strlen 13y ago

That's not exactly a relevant comparison. We're not talking about a Prop 8 or DOMA supporter lecturing Russia. We're talking about a Google using their enormous soapboax to do so in a fresh, defiant, and powerful way. Google has been quite active in fighting for gay marriage within US, submitting amici briefs to the court cases, spending money on campaigns, and so forth...