President George W Bush has said he will carry on trying to make homosexual marriages illegal in the US after a constitutional amendment on the issue was defeated by the Senate.

The Republican proposal failed to gain the support of the 60 senators it needed to progress to the next stage.

Mr Bush is seeking to change the US constitution to specify that marriage can only take place between a man and a woman.

So far 38 US states have banned homosexual marriage, but lawsuits in Florida, Nebraska, New Jersey and Oregon are seeking to have it ruled legal.

Republicans have vowed to fight on but the measure is now unlikely to be passed before the November elections.

Should same sex marriages be made legal?

This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we received:

This is an absurd argument. With all the pressures and problems that the US government faces regarding the conflict in Iraq, the state of the economy and the ever widening gap between rich and poor, that the President of the United States makes the issue of same sex marriages seem like it is the most important issue facing contemporary American politics today, is ridiculous. Bush should actually abandon attempts to make homosexual marriages illegal, and treat it as a matter of human rights - that way he may even get some crucial support from the growing importance of the Gay lobby, as in this election year he needs all the support that he can get.
Phillip Wedgwood Brand, London, England.

Marriage and religion are not the same thing. Marriage is a legal contract. Saying "I do" in church does not make a marriage binding - you have to sign a register. The church hijacked marriage hundreds of years ago. People marry in church to have a religious service to satisfy their beliefs. Others do it in a registry office. As for what is "right" and "wrong" according to the bible - it also says divorce is wrong, adultery, eating certain foods at certain times (Lent is a prime example), that you should sacrifice livestock when your wife gets pregnant.... exactly how many people here who are bible-bashing can hold their hands up and say they follow these doctrines? Until you can, you should follow another passage from the bible - something about "let he who is without sin cast the first stone"? All I see here are hypocrites.
Anon, UK

I wish to take a tantric stance. In India we believe in reincarnation. Our desires in our previous life lead to rebirth. Very often persons attached to each other in their previous life are reborn in a variety of ways. This leads to things like homosexuality, lesbianism, incest etc. There is no moral issue involved. I think there are legal and tax issues!
H.Gopalkrishna Gadiyar, Chennai India

Same sex marriages should not be made legal because they are unnatural as they do not produce kids.
Velempini Ndlovu, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

The argument that same sex marriages should not be made legal "because they do not produce kids" is ridiculous. Should heterosexual couples over 50 not be allowed to marry as they cannot produce kids either? If two people love each other and want to unite their destinies, then it is a beautiful thing which should be celebrated. Whether it is called "marriage" or "life pact" does not matter.
Gilda Maurice, London, UK

This redefinition of the meaning of marriage will do nothing to help those who have real problems and cannot form healthy heterosexual relationships. For all the PC rubbish that is spouted these days, it remains true that homosexuality is a cultural phenomenon and certainly not something to be granted legitimacy like this.
Michael, York, UK

The argument that same-sex unions undermine marriage is cherry picking the bits it wants to see. What really undermines marriage is people who don't understand the implications fully, who become absent parents and have affairs all over the shop.
Wendy, UK

No, I think it is a bad idea. Our society is based on opposite sex marriage. To make such a radical change in society without fully examining the impact of such a change is unscientific and unethical.
John, Canada

I cannot believe that same-sex marriages are even being considered due to the legal ramifications that may come after it. If the definition of marriage is not limited to one man and woman, wouldn't polygamists logically be the next to challenge the law? At one point do we draw the line - and what justifies that line?
Curtis, Greenville, USA

One good policy out of a million cannot be bad. Stick with it George. Man + woman = marriage.
MS, London

As a marriage is a union of a male and a female person in the sight of God, it is ridiculous to say that a group of lawmakers can 'legalise' or 'ban' what is not theirs to decide. Politicians should focus on clarifying what rights and responsibilities co-habiting couples of any persuasion should be entitled to from the State rather than abusing a religious concept for secular legal and political reasons.
Geoff, Portsmouth

To Geoff in Portsmouth: Civil marriages do not recognise God so that argument is rather limp. As a male, heterosexual, born again, married father and Evangelical Christian, I have nothing but respect for my gay/lesbian friends and if they wish to marry, I'm all for it. We're not all religious bigots.
Kenneth, Rosyth, Scotland

When I moved to Virginia in 1967 it was illegal for two people of different "races" to marry. The same arguments ie "it's unnatural, against God's law, will undermine the sanctity of marriage" etc are being used against same-sex marriage and are equally unfounded, mean-spirited and just plain stupid.
Andrew, Virginia, USA

We have too many problems in the world as a result of dysfunctional families, we don't need more by legalising same-sex marriage. Let me ask the question, when are we going to stop all these?. Is it when we start having Man + Dog marriages?
Niyi Adeyemi, Canada

Personal discomfort is not a reason to write laws forbidding something that hurts no one else. In fact, promoting marriage makes society more stable as the Republicans are always telling us - except, mysteriously, in this context.
Martha, Waterford VA USA

There is homosexuality throughout nature. It's part of life, all life. And besides, what could anyone possibly care what others do as long as they harm no one? Yesterday, today and tomorrow, day after day after day, week after week, 40,000 children die of hunger in the world. Get a grip people.
Rick, Virginia

This is not a federal issue. Bush knows it and is playing politics while ignoring real issues.
David Sexton, Naples, FL

If gay marriage is OK, then why can't I marry my cousin, or my sister, or my cat? Don't I have the same rights as gays or are they now above the rest of us?? Don't forget that the law is specific on this. It was created to keep the fabric of society together. Marriage in the pure sense is for a man and a woman, so when they have children, they can raise them balanced, with a man and woman's influence. Not all of one or all of the other. It's asking for trouble a generation or two down the road.
Robitn Thompson, Odessa, Florida USA

Life is sweet and small. The rest is just talking. Let everyone live.
Dimitris Ouzounidis, Thessaloniki, Greece

I find it incredible that so many people are so prejudiced against same-sex relationships. Who is to say who we fall in love with and who we should spend the rest of our lives with? It is about time we moved with the times, after all we are living in the 21st century!
Julie, London

While I believe that marriage is a sacred union between man and woman, I also believe that our country was founded on the principal that everybody has the right to the pursuit of happiness. And if a man marrying a man or a woman marrying a woman makes them happy then I think it's okay. I do not believe it affects anyone negatively. Love is love. The real threat to marriage is the alarmingly high divorce rate.
Travis, Maine, USA

I'm fed up with the constant attempt to normalise homosexuality. It isn't normal! But then it doesn't do any harm, and people should be free to live their lives the way they want to. As for marriage, it was clearly intended for the union of heterosexual couples. If couples are disadvantaged by not being married, fix the laws so that they aren't. It's as much of a problem for heterosexuals as homosexuals.
Chris, Weybridge, UK

Let no man split asunder what god has made, marriage between a man and a woman is one of the holy symbols that the Christian church has brought into this world, let us respect it and hold it , not be-smirch yet another symbol for political correctness.
Bruce, Derby, England

Gay marriages should not be legal. It is even absurd to consider it to be legal. It is totally wrong.
Shirley Tidwell, McDonough, GA

Ask yourself if gays can damage the sanctity of marriage anymore than heterosexuals have already done?
Kevin, Peterborough, England

Don't citizens of the USA recognise the separation of church and state? If so then surely biblical quotes or any arguments that invoke a particular god have no bearing on the constitution? As to arguments that seek bar same-sex unions on the basis of their supposed unnaturalness - what moral priority does the natural have over the unnatural? States should simply allow people to live in the way of their choosing.
Mark, Swindon, UK

Is it sacred if gay marriage is allowed? Then why did God create Eve for Adam? Why break God's law by allowing gay marriage? As far as I am concerned I'm against gay marriage.
Darara, India (Ethiopian)

Marriage is also a legal joining of two individuals. People who are not religious choose to get married in a registry office and not in church. Marriage shows the strongest commitment you can make to one another. I fail to see what God has to do with this? Marriage in this instance is not religious, but a legal joining. Getting married is the ultimate way of showing your love and commitment to your partner, so why should gay people be deprived of this right? Who are we to sit and judge anyway? Same sex marriages should be legalised as soon as possible, we are clearly living in a backward society which is yet to embrace what society wanted 10 years ago.
Sarah, Surrey, UK

In the beginning God made man and woman and anything contrary to this naturally legalised institution is an incursion to God's will and also making a fool of him. Let's save our world and our society against unforeseen tragedy that will strike this nation again. God is watching us just like Sodom and Gomorrah.
Kenneth, Awka, Nigeria

But marriage is between a man and a woman. The right uses the word marriage because it means between a man and a woman - and they misapply it to gay couples who are never a man and a woman. This is divisive and draws attention away from the idea of civil union (which is what all marriages are) which should be available to all gays, myself included. I have not yet heard a reason why this is bad that is not based on bigotry. Don't let the right win by letting it abuse the word marriage.
Martin, London

No one should be denied the right to marry. And in my opinion, we need to encourage as much love as possible in the world right now, to hopefully reduce the never-ending hate we see so much of.
Sarah Hutchings, Madrid, Spain

Of course it should be made legal, they should have exactly the same rights as everyone else, and after all they are human. And personally I don't think God would mind as long as they loved and were true to each other.
Conor Buggy, Dublin

Absolutely not. They are not just looking for a union; they want insurance, tax breaks, and the recognition that goes with acceptable behaviour. If nature wanted same-sex people to live together, there would only be one sex rather than different sexes.
David, Emporia, KS, USA

Marriage has been the bedrock of our society; recently Governments have devalued the institution of marriage. We see the results, more broken marriages, more social problems. Marriage is for man and woman, not same sex couples. I don't give a fig what these people do in the privacy of their homes but I really object to having their rights thrown into my face.
Mike, Hove

Gay marriage should never be an issue! The Gay lifestyle is not for me. However, when my county, and I am a veteran, wants to remove rights from our citizens because of a religious issue, it makes me boil!
Dan Fox, Austell, GA

People originally came to what is now the United States to escape religious persecution, it appears we have failed. If a man and a woman want to get married, so be it. If a man and a man or a woman and a woman want to get married, they too, should have that choice. What is right for George Bush is not right for all.
Sherrie, Sullivan, USA

If people find gay relationships contrary to their religion, it is up to them to refrain. Those who do not share their religious opinions should be free to make their own choice on this as on other issues.
David Anderson, Wakefield, West Yorkshire

There used to be laws prohibiting interracial marriages, but we grew out of that ignorance - we'll get over this prejudice too. Love conquers all, after all.
Anut, Troutdale USA

If you had asked me this 10 years ago I would have automatically said "No, it's just wrong, against God, grumble, grumble". Having three children and wanting them to be open minded has lead me to question this and other such things. What is my objection? And now I know its fear of the "unknown". If i have learned one thing in my years it's that there is too much hate and anti-everything going on... if love exists it should be nurtured and accepted by all.
John, UK

There is no such thing as a same sex marriage. Marriage is between man and woman only. If a union between same sexes is wanted, call it something else and do not force the church to acknowledge it.
Tim, Leic, UK

Marriage is not a union of two people in "the eyes of god" unless you happen to believe in God. As far as I'm aware Hindus and Buddhists are quite capable of getting married without being "seen" by any supreme monotheistic deity. Marriage is as much a legal union as a religious one, if a catholic vicar wants to refuse to marry a homosexual couple so be it, but for the state to refuse is totally different matter. Maybe George Bush should start seeing the phrase "Land of the Free" as something the US should be living up to, rather than just a slogan to throw around in speeches.
Tom, London, UK

It goes against the laws of the land that have been used for hundreds of years and were based on the basis of the commandments. Governments should be trying to fight the cause of homosexuality rather than encouraging it.
Robert Hoey, Perth, Scotland

Since laws were changed in Canada, to remove legal barriers to homosexual relationships, there has been a growing trend towards increased pressure upon both men and women to choose gay relationships. This kind of pressure was unheard of 25 years ago. It simply did not happen. We do need laws to protect our young people from being pressured and converted to gay lifestyles. Without laws to defend against that kind of erosion and destruction of the social fabric the day will come, not too long from now, when we will not have a society or a culture or a tradition. It will have been undermined and destroyed by its enemies
John Holmes, Canada

As a Muslim I have always been taught that homosexuality is wrong. Most religions also teach this. However after having a failed arranged marriage, I have found companionship with another man. Although I wholeheartedly believe in the Islam, I am torn between these ideals and my own feelings which I feel I must hide from my family and friends. If a more open attitude was in place for homosexuals, including marriage type ceremonies, then perhaps people would be able to not have the conflict between their religion and happiness.
Jamil, Birmingham UK

Newsflash!! God does NOT exist! Saddle yourselves with outdated and meaningless religious rhetoric by all means, but don't foist it upon the rest of us here in the real world. What the bible may or may not say on the subject of homosexuality is utterly irrelevant. There are many practical reasons why gay marriage should be legal, quite apart from the fact that telling any couple that they aren't entitled to make a legal lifelong commitment to each other is divisive and causes distress and anger in society, whilst serving no tangible purpose.
Chas Knight, Duxford, UK

No never should this happen. It will be the end of everything that is right. This is what happened to the Roman's. It will be the down fall of mankind. This is a learned way of life and not good for anybody. These people are sick.
Charles, Houston Texas

Gay marriages and also polyamorous group marriages should be legal - it's a matter for the individuals conceerned, not something the State should interfere in or regulate. However, being married should not confer any special advantages regarding tax, inheritance, healthcare, etc.
Frank, Kent, UK

I can understand the religious arguments on this one, it must be up to an individual faith whether it allows gay marriages to take place in its place of worship - for example, the RC Church will still not allow a heterosexual couple to be married if one has previously been divorced. But legal marriage partnerships is a different issue, why should gay couples be excluded from the automatic legal rights that marriage brings? Bush's intolerance on this and other issues is deeply worrying.
Ruth, London

A note to everyone who argues this is wrong based on the Bible. America is not a theocracy, therefore what the Bible says is not relevant to what is legal. I don't recall the Bible having much to say about owning guns, but that's legal, while beating your wife and child, which is approved of in the Bible, is a criminal offence called assault. So religion shouldn't come into it.
Paul Watson, London, UK

Up to a point I can understand the Church wanting to carry on debating whether the sacrament of Marriage should be open to gays. However, I can see absolutely no reason, apart from blind prejudice, which prevents two gay people going through a civil ceremony which will give them the rights and securities which heterosexual couples enjoy. Until this happens, we cannot say that we regard gays as equal within our society, because they are not - they are still discriminated against.
Sheila, UK

As a gay man I wonder why my tax is good enough to pay for self-righteous bigots to educate their children while my rights as a human being are ignored. My love for my partner is no less or more valid than a heterosexual for their partner. The point has been argued before that heterosexuals who cannot have children can marry. Let's put the bible down because it's a 2,000 year old book of contradictions and is now ineffective as a weapon. A proper rational argument would be welcome.
Peter, Manchester, England

Marriage is just the recognition by state and society of a commitment of two persons. In the United States there are over 1,000 rights, privileges and responsibilities given to those who make a public declaration of their commitment to each other. Why should the sex of the couple even enter into it?
Michael Wengert, Seoul, Korea

Marriage is a sign of commitment and love. If two men or two women want to show that commitment, how does that destroy or damage the ideals of marriage. In my view, it clearly demonstrates it. Aren't we living in an age which respects the individual's right to choose? Isn't America supposed to be the land of the free? Oh, the irony! I also find it ironic that a world can find no one to blame and accepts by starting and unjust war which is still killing hundreds of people, but can find something which is nothing more than an act of love unacceptable. What does that say about us as a species?
Neil, Edinburgh

This is not what we were made to do when we were created!
Tony Humphreys, UK

No, because it is unnatural, uncouth and immoral. As much as the government should not interfere in people's lives, it has a right to lay the ground rules. That's why I support President Bush.
Kariuki HK, Chester, UK

As a man, I feel that my rights should be as equal to any other's. As a gay man, I feel my rights should be as equal to any other man's, be he homosexual, heterosexual or asexual. If another man has the right to marry the person of his choosing, and enjoy the financial privileges involved (marriage was after all initiated not as the basis of Christian society but as a bedrock for social economics) then so should I. However, I do not see that marriage is the right way for gay men. But that would be my choice and I do not see that others have the right to bar me from making that choice.
Dan Bidewell, London

So long as no laws are broken, no-one is hurt and all participants are happy, then people should be allowed to do and live as they wish. Of course same sex couples should be allowed to prove their love and commitment. Just don't tell me it's normal.... because it isn't.
Jez, UK

This makes me glad to live in the UK. As a gay man I am glad that the law here is to change to allow same-sex couples partnership rights, a civil ceremony to celebrate this partnership and make it official. I personally have no religious beliefs and therefore couldn't care less what the Bible allegedly says about people of the same sex being together! Let the religious types keep their sacred ceremonies and let the rest of us get on with our own lives without interference.
Chris Malpas, London UK

Yes. When Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases are ever more common, I cannot understand how encouraging faithful and monogamous relationships is a bad thing.
Mike, London, UK

There is so much ignorance in the world, attitudes are changing and times are moving on. What is wrong with two people of the same sex wishing to spend the rest of their lives together and wanting a stronger commitment to each other? I say, let people live how they so wish and if they want to make a matrimonial commitment to each other, go for it and all the best!
Kaz, Manchester, UK

Legalize them. Same-sex unions harm no one; one's support or opposition to this is a matter of personal belief and morality, with which the government has no business to interfere.
Stephen, England

Homosexuals are accepted into society along with voting and adopting kids. I feel what ever a person chooses to do with their personal lives is none of our business just as along as it is not forced on us. This is more of a religious debate then a political one.
Marie, USA

I have nothing against gay people and believe that they should be free to live together but marriage should be kept out of it.
Oscar Embola, Yaounde, Cameroon

In the beginning God created man and then he said he shouldn't be alone, so he created a woman to help the man. And so if that was God's creation it is not proper for same sex to marry, it is breaking what God made and did.
Annette Kaonga, Blantyre, Malawi

God created Adam and Eve, I find no statements in Genesis about Adam and Steve.
Anon

This has to be another Bush smokescreen for his deplorable record as a president. The economy is in the tank, troops are dying daily in Iraq and all he can think muster is a stink on same-sex marriages? My lover and I are both US citizens and will be the first US gay couple to be wed under the Belgian same sex marriage law which allows 'habituelle' residents to marry. In the end, it's really no-one's business how we keep a household or how we pursue happiness, especially the president of the US.
Rocko, Bruxelles, Belgium

Men and women all over the world are trying to hold off marriage as long as possible these days. Homosexual couples are desperate for it. Why shouldn't they be allowed to show their commitment to each other if they want to.
Nigel, Fujisawa, Japan

I believe same sex marriages should be made legal. People should be permitted to do whatever they choose until their actions infringe on the rights of others. Whom my neighbour chooses to love concerns no-one but the involved parties and contrary to what some may believe, the legalisation of same sex marriages is not one of the seven signs of the Apocalypse.
John Scheuvront, Knoxville, TN, USA

When I got married to a woman, I was unable to father children. According to Velempini, my marrage was unnatural as well. Marriage is about commitment, not breeding
Pixie, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

To Velempini Ndlovu, Bulawayo: I am infertile. Does that mean I should not be allowed to marry my partner as it would be unnatural because I cannot produce children?
Ashley Woo, UK

Gay men and lesbians are just as human and have the same needs and desires as heterosexual human beings. They make just as good parents (maybe better than some heteros) and are just as responsible in their daily lives as heteros. To change the US Constitution to forbid them to marry is to take away their constitutional rights. To deny them their rights is totally unacceptable. A few very ignorant and narrow thinking religious fundamentalists most certainly do not speak for the majority. These free wheeling judges and lawyers the religious fundamentalists speak of are merely guaranteeing that everyone is equal under the law and has the same rights.
Jim Jensen, Philippines/USA