Army discharges gay soldiers

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I think we're defining the issue in different ways. I'm thinking specifically of instances where homosexual behavior is illegal.

I don't see gay marriage as a manifestation of homosexuality that's against the law. In those states where gay marriage is illegal, a gay couple wouldn't be able to falsify a marriage, or falsely represent that they are married. It's a measure against homosexual marraige, but not against homosexuality itself. But, I may be looking at the issue too narrowly. I also don't mean to marginalize the effect that such laws have on gay couples.

As to anti-sodomy laws, the Supreme Court decision in Lawrence v. Texas invalidated all such laws in the US. So, if there are any laws like that, they're flying in the face of Supreme Court precedent.

Hey, you're the one who wanted to go by the law. I go by normative behavior so it is deviance regardless.

ETA: I know it's not against homosexuality, itself. As with many forms of crime and deviance, it only matters within a certain context. I was talking about certain actions, such as marriage.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I think we're defining the issue in different ways. I'm thinking specifically of instances where homosexual behavior is illegal.

I don't see gay marriage as a manifestation of homosexuality that's against the law. In those states where gay marriage is illegal, a gay couple wouldn't be able to falsify a marriage, or falsely represent that they are married. It's a measure against homosexual marraige, but not against homosexuality itself. But, I may be looking at the issue too narrowly. I also don't mean to marginalize the effect that such laws have on gay couples.

As to anti-sodomy laws, the Supreme Court decision in Lawrence v. Texas invalidated all such laws in the US. So, if there are any laws like that, they're flying in the face of Supreme Court precedent.

Yes, those laws may be flying the face of Supreme Court precedent, but they are still on the books and people are still being prosecuted under them.
I think it should be made clear that my statements concerning deviance are based on religion AND law. However, I always find it interesting that people argue that the two should remain separate. Most laws are based on Christian principles found in the Bible. So the two are never entirely separate.