LGBT rights discussion

[Koatanga]

The license is issued after a records search to determine that both parties are eligible to marry - are of legal age, are not currently married to anyone else, etc. In NZ there is also a blood test. I know they check for HIV, but I don't know what other things they check for.

It could be to check degree of relation? According to wiki, incest is illegal in NZ.

It could be for a lot of things, including recessive genes for certain congenital birth defects, or as you say for degree of relation. I didn't bother with the fine print when I got married, and I really don't care what they test and/or use my blood for anyway. I suppose when the army of my clones takes over the country I will have some concern, but until then it makes no difference to me.

[Skye1013]

I wouldn't object to a blood test, though I'd hope anything like HIV was already discussed with your SO before the big decision to get wed.

[Klaudandus]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-5 ... ess-issue/

On one hand, guys like these are in part for the recession, on the other, he's in favor of gay marriage.

Hm...

[Nooska]

The incestuous relationships illegal in NZ are the same one sthat are over most of the world - direct up/down or side/side - I doubt thats what the blood test is for (there is a roughly 25% chance (if I've got my mental mendalian calculations correct) of 2 full siblings not sharing dna).
Also checking for HIV or other non-lethal diseases (according to current legal thinking getting infected with HIV is no longer punishable unde rthe statute making it illegal to pass on a deadly disease - because HIV doesn't actually kill you anymore) seems odd. I know I don't want the government to sit around with knowledge of what diseases I might develop (or rather, what diseases I have a genetic predisposition for) - the only place I would want it less is insurance companies.

(No I don't trust in government, and I'm a socialist - just to clear up any possible inferences, they are correct)

[Fivelives]

If not to check for degree of relation, then it's weird that blood tests would even be required. As far as I know, the state isn't allowed - anywhere - to involve themselves in things like genetics, at least not at the personal/interpersonal level. It's too close to being actual eugenics in practice.

I'm not entirely sure that HIV has ever killed someone; it's just a precursor virus for the AIDS. AIDS either, for that matter; it's the secondary infections that you get from having a depressed immune system that actually does the killing.

[Klaudandus]

Welp. More of the same.

[Klaudandus]

http://editors.talkingpointsmemo.com/ar ... t_this.php

This made me lol

[Fridmarr]

Welp. More of the same.

Maybe his position will evolve.

[Snake-Aes]

Fun fact: Here the committee that legislates in favor of minorities (particularly homosexuals and cripples, but things like female rights also brush their jurisdiction) elected a new president. A priest from the universal church that openly states things like "aids is a gay disease".

[Koatanga]

http://editors.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2013/03/sodomy_no_one_told_us_about_this.php

This made me lol

On the one hand it's amusing, but on the other hand, it's representative of how actual people think, which is more than a little frightening.

[Aubade]

Yeah that video angered me. Such idiocy.

[Klaudandus]

http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/15/politics/ ... ?hpt=hp_c1

On one hand I think it is cool he changed his mind, on the other hand, it pisses me off he was ok with denying other people's rights until it hit close to home.

[Skye1013]

Sadly, that's about the only way some people are ever going to change their mind. Just glad to have another politician on this side of the fence.

[Klaudandus]

A follow-up
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/2 ... ref=topbar

[Snake-Aes]

http://moglobo.globo.com/integra.asp?tx ... ia-7889259
It's...getting worse. This guy is the president for Brazil's committee of minorities and human rights. Famous quotes of his after he ascended to that role include:
1) "AIDS is a gay disease."
2) "STDs shouldn't be treated by the government, they're punishments for the wicked."
3) "Africa is a cursed land."
4) "Women Rights and Gay Rights destroy the families."