How does Forest Park relate to gay and lesbian couples?

[Cincy-Rise]

Originally Posted by wilson1010

Nearly every gay acquaintance I have, along with the non-traditional families I know, recovering addicts, and alcoholics all go to "mega church" mostly Crossroads. If you stand for the position that Crossroads spews intolerance, you'll be laughed at . . . but still loved.

100% agree... along with the Vineyard(s) as well.

[goyguy]

A middle-aging married Jewish woman, a single 20-something shaggy-haired straight male WASP graduate of MIT, and a single middle-aging gay agnostic male walked up to the front of a building...and there's no punch line 'cause this isn't a joke. They proceeded to have a spontaneous picnic on the steps, with grilled chicken/shrimp/veggie skewers, still more veggies, Italian bread, and some wine n' weed. For several hours until well after dark, they shared laughs and told stories and made plans for the summer's yard work. These things can and do happen in most places, but more reliably in a community which is "well established" as a diverse location - as are North Avondale and Forest Park. (Do I hear an echo of myself? lol) Good times such as Wednesday's unplanned gathering are what make me able to know of what I speak. And the consensus thus far in this thread is the same.
When the TO and her partner can have a full wedding ceremony in one of these "misunderstood" megachurches, instead of knowing that they're one of the main forces behind bogus "marriage defense" referenda and are all about the schizoid philosophies of love-the-sinner-hate-the-sin and you're-OK-just-don't-flaunt-it, is when I'll eat my words about "non-denominational Christian" congregations. They're beacons of solace for everybody who "isn't prejudiced, but..."

[wilson1010]

Originally Posted by goyguy

When the TO and her partner can have a full wedding ceremony in one of these "misunderstood" megachurches, instead of knowing that they're one of the main forces behind bogus "marriage defense" referenda and are all about the schizoid philosophies of love-the-sinner-hate-the-sin and you're-OK-just-don't-flaunt-it, is when I'll eat my words about "non-denominational Christian" congregations.

Oh boy. Its a little hard to leave that agenda behind, isn't it. You have them all pigeon-holed.

To start off, the OP said nothing about wanting to marry her partner in a church ceremony, much less the "mega-church." In fact, she didn't even mention a "mega-church" or gay marriage. No, I went back and looked and it was . . . you! You who brought a "mega-church" into this thread by making the false and unsupportable accusation that anti gay hate is spewed from the pulpit at the "mega-church."

That failing, you have now set up the straw man of whether the OP can get married at the "mega-church" as a test of tolerance by a chuch you probably have never even been to.

I'd say you have a little haterism in your game there. Maybe its time to accept that there are a lot of reasons why gay marriage is illegal and not supported by the vast majority of our population. You don't happen to agree with those reasons, and maybe I don't either (you don't really know, do you?), but just because a person or church will not participate in a gay marriage, doesn't make them anti-gay bigots as you have implied.

[price hill will]

Originally Posted by wilson1010

Oh boy. Its a little hard to leave that agenda behind, isn't it. You have them all pigeon-holed.

To start off, the OP said nothing about wanting to marry her partner in a church ceremony, much less the "mega-church." In fact, she didn't even mention a "mega-church" or gay marriage. No, I went back and looked and it was . . . you! You who brought a "mega-church" into this thread by making the false and unsupportable accusation that anti gay hate is spewed from the pulpit at the "mega-church."

That failing, you have now set up the straw man of whether the OP can get married at the "mega-church" as a test of tolerance by a chuch you probably have never even been to.

I'd say you have a little haterism in your game there. Maybe its time to accept that there are a lot of reasons why gay marriage is illegal and not supported by the vast majority of our population. You don't happen to agree with those reasons, and maybe I don't either (you don't really know, do you?), but just because a person or church will not participate in a gay marriage, doesn't make them anti-gay bigots as you have implied.

No your right that just makes them anti gay marriage bigots.

[wilson1010]

Originally Posted by wilson1010

Oh boy. Its a little hard to leave that agenda behind, isn't it. You have them all pigeon-holed.

To start off, the OP said nothing about wanting to marry her partner in a church ceremony, much less the "mega-church." In fact, she didn't even mention a "mega-church" or gay marriage. No, I went back and looked and it was . . . you! You who brought a "mega-church" into this thread by making the false and unsupportable accusation that anti gay hate is spewed from the pulpit at the "mega-church."

That failing, you have now set up the straw man of whether the OP can get married at the "mega-church" as a test of tolerance by a chuch you probably have never even been to.

I'd say you have a little haterism in your game there. Maybe its time to accept that there are a lot of reasons why gay marriage is illegal and not supported by the vast majority of our population. You don't happen to agree with those reasons, and maybe I don't either (you don't really know, do you?), but just because a person or church will not participate in a gay marriage, doesn't make them anti-gay bigots as you have implied.

Originally Posted by price hill will

No your right that just makes them anti gay marriage bigots.

Hehehe, cute. No, I think my point was that there are many reasons why people might not want to change traditional marriage. For many people, the legal aspects drive their behavior. So, if you have a license to marry people and its illegal to marry two men, then you are jeopardizing your abilty to marry others by violating the law. Others may think that if you can marry two men, why not three men? The questions in this uncharted territory are endless.

Agreed that Christian and Islamic dogma prohibits gay marriage. That begs the question: why would a gay couple want to be married in a Christian church since the church does not sanction gay marriage? I think everyone can understand the need for a life partner to have rights at the hospital, or family health care benefits, etc., but why a church marriage (as oppposed to the courthouse) in a religion that does not sanction gay marriage. Perhaps someone can explain that.

[restorationconsultant]

I am reminded that you can get married in a church all day long, straight or gay, and it doesn't mean a thing legally unless you have that little piece of paper called a marriage license from the government which is totally OK with accepting tax dollars from the homes and businesses that I and my partner own.

Mariiage is a legal contract between the government and two people that confers a wide range of legal rights. So a "marriage by God' maens little when you get right down to it.

But to get back on topic I think bigotry is pretty much anywhere, I seen bigotry in such liberal places as San Francisco (UC Berkeley Grad here) but its really isn't that hard to find places in Cincinnati where you can buy a house and be happy and I think it is getting a little better every day.

[stsfirstmate]

Originally Posted by restorationconsultant

I am reminded that you can get married in a church all day long, straight or gay, and it doesn't mean a thing legally unless you have that little piece of paper called a marriage license from the government which is totally OK with accepting tax dollars from the homes and businesses that I and my partner own.

Mariiage is a legal contract between the government and two people that confers a wide range of legal rights. So a "marriage by God' maens little when you get right down to it.

But to get back on topic I think bigotry is pretty much anywhere, I seen bigotry in such liberal places as San Francisco (UC Berkeley Grad here) but its really isn't that hard to find places in Cincinnati where you can buy a house and be happy and I think it is getting a little better every day.

Speaking as a happily married Lesbian (married in Ct earlier this year after 13 years together). It makes a huge difference in our life. We live in NY which, while not currently allowing same sex weddings recognizes and provides all states rights for same sex couples legally married elsewhere.
If I were moving back to Cincinnati it would be back to where I lived before I moved in the 80s, Northside. It has a great sense of community and I still return there to visit old friends and enjoy seeing how the area is growing.
Regards,
Mary

[sfwilson24]

I was raised in Forest Park, reside in Springdale now. I have to say that FP ain't ready for ya'll! Cincy is so far behind when it comes to same sex couples. You see how racially divided this city is! So, I suggest to you to look in areas like Northside, Walnut Hills near Eden Park, Downtown, Oakley, parts of Norwood, North College Hill and College Hill. Another thing is FP's taxes are HIGH!!! And the community doesn't have much to show for it! They don't have a community center, the schools are below standard (in comparison to the districts that surround them such as Princeton and Fairfield). You guys are young but you need to take all of that into consideration because it lets you know what type of folks live in these neighborhoods. You want to be where you feel safe, comfy and you fit in. Now, that's not to say you won't find an awesome place in FP where you're neighbors are cools, because there are great folks in EVERY neighborhood. Just take your time and research, research, and research

[JefferyT]

A middle-aging married Jewish woman, a single 20-something shaggy-haired straight male WASP graduate of MIT, and a single middle-aging gay agnostic male walked up to the front of a building...and there's no punch line 'cause this isn't a joke. They proceeded to have a spontaneous picnic on the steps, with grilled chicken/shrimp/veggie skewers, still more veggies, Italian bread, and some wine n' weed. For several hours until well after dark, they shared laughs and told stories and made plans for the summer's yard work. These things can and do happen in most places, but more reliably in a community which is "well established" as a diverse location - as are North Avondale and Forest Park. (Do I hear an echo of myself? lol) Good times such as Wednesday's unplanned gathering are what make me able to know of what I speak. And the consensus thus far in this thread is the same.

When the TO and her partner can have a full wedding ceremony in one of these "misunderstood" megachurches, instead of knowing that they're one of the main forces behind bogus "marriage defense" referenda and are all about the schizoid philosophies of love-the-sinner-hate-the-sin and you're-OK-just-don't-flaunt-it, is when I'll eat my words about "non-denominational Christian" congregations. They're beacons of solace for everybody who "isn't prejudiced, but..."

Excellent post. Thanx!

[savemefromthemidwest]

Hello I am not from OH but, live here now. One of my close friends is gay and she often asks how she would blend in good old Ohio and it's conservative ways. I honestly would think being anything other than the norm in OH would be hard. It really seems like it is such a rigid, judgemental, conservative, close minded place to live. I hope you 2 find an openminded place in OH, an dyou are happy where ever you end up