My husband (since 10/27/080 and partner since 2/28/82 would just like to thank you for your support in the ongoing fight for civil rights. I am an african american, and am so heartbroken when I see how certain african americans have forgotten the struggle, and how MOST of those Non-black faces being hosed, and tortured and killed right alongside them, were, in fact Gay. Through history, Gays had been willing to lay their on the line because it was clear that no one would have inaliebable rights until every single one of us do. Thank you again!

I have read this article ( letter ) and I am not shocked and at the same time shocked of the support from Russel Simmons for gay marriages. When I think of Russel, I think of Min. Run DMC (My dad is in the ministry too). We all want to support our great leaders, to give them the motivation to continue to do good for the citizens, the communities, the state, the country, and the world but we have to go back to where it all began, the Bible. This is something we need to take to heart and really meditate on and pray for. I am first a true believer of Christ, a daughter of a Pastor, a wife to a Sailor, and a mother to my son. I have lots of friends from the gay, bisexual, transgender community, as well as a family member.....I can't cast judgement on what they do, its not my place. I can only show them my love and enjoy their presence, their love, and energy they put out to everyone. I understand they want to find love and be with their life partner for life, but its wrong, they know it is but love conquers all. Can I turn my back on them, no. As my dad would say, "I don't support the lifestyle, but I will still be your brother (sister) in Christ and love u". I know this sounds like I'm straddling the fence, and some of this my dad wouldn't agree with. This put me between a rock and a hard place because it really doesn't matter to me, I enjoy making friends. Never crossed my mind for friends to be a certain race, gender, sexuality or religion. Just as long they don't force their lifestyle upon me.

My purpose here on earth is to live, worship God, learn, teach, and love. I can't make them drop what they are doing and follow Christ, once I have done all I can do, there's only a few things left for me to do and one of them is to love everyone, and I will.

I am so grateful to Mr. Simmons. Is there some way we can thank him?

I don't agree with the gay marrige thing ...but to each is own my son is 2 years old and I don't think he should be exposed to all this gay stuff cause he will think its ok to kiss boys and it is a sin

More power to Russell Simons and to Governor Paterson!

FYI, there is no such thing as a gay "lifestyle" per T. Dunlap. Just as there is no such thing as a single heterosexual lifestyle, there is no such thing as a single gay lifestyle. Anti-gay activists have promoted the idea that the lives of homosexuals revolve around sex and the pursuit of sexual encounters, and that the only identity homosexuals have is with being gay. To anti-gay organizations this is the only gay lifestyle that exists, and they do their best to promote this misconception.

In reality, the lives of gays and lesbians are as varied as the lives of heterosexuals (Garnets & Kimmel, 1993). Some choose to live in long term committed relationships, others choose to remain single. Some couples choose to raise children, others do not. Hobbies, occupations and activities are just as varied as within the heterosexual population.

So, please educate yourselves.

Does Russell Simmons support gay marriage? Obviously, as should we all.

I am an African American non-theist. I am old enough to remember discrimination enforced by the state and condoned by the church. I am astonished that in the twenty first century, despite historical progress in so many areas, we are still debating the rights of gays to marry.

Marriage is, in our nation, governmental sanction of a union between consenting two adults. The ceremony celebrating that union can occur anywhere, as long as it is sanctioned by the state. I believe that those religions who disagree with same sex marriage have a right to not allow that ceremony to happen in their place of worship and to prevent their priests/reverends/rabbis /imams etc. form officiating at the ceremony. However, they do not have the right, particularly as tax exempt organizations, to impose that belief on others.

I have gay relatives and friends. The true expression of my love for them is acceptance of who they are AND support in their rights fully as citizens. To do otherwise, while conceptually un-Christian, appears to be the path that many Christians (and practitioners of other religions) are taking.

As one of the most influential figure in Hip Hop and in business, I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Simmons. Civil rights is something that should be afforded to everyone regardless, of the race, creed, religion and, "sexual preference". I, myself dont agree with the notion of two people of the same sex getting married, but I do believe two people who wants to spend the rest of their lives together, even byway of marriage should be able to do so without any repurcussions or stoppage. People...we need to rise even higher...

Hello i'm writing to let you and everyone else whose for same sex marriage this is against every thing that God has put in to place al these year marriae is between a man and woman not to men or two women. Everyone so quick to say yes to everything that goes on in the world. but when it come to the word of God and respecting what he's put into place we want to forget, but when things happen in our life we want to everyone to pray for us that's God so why do you go against his teaching in the bible. Our children are so mix up in the mind by all the non sense we try to make it justify what we doing in today world no wonder all the killing and murders are happening

if we stick to what was in the beginning GOD'S word and live by it the world would be a better place to live in, but no you have all these people that want to change things to fit there life style well i'm sorry that should not be.

"I can't cast judgement on what they do.."

"I understand they want to find love and be with their life partner for life, but its wrong, they know it.."

"I don't support the lifestyle.."

"Just as long they don't force their lifestyle upon me."

I can't sit by any longer and watch misunderstanding of what it means to be gay be perpetuated. First, you don't choose to be gay. You are born gay, just as you are born heterosexual. There is no point where one decides to be gay, just as there is not point where someone decides to be heterosexual.

Second, the gay "lifestyle." My lifestyle is probably no different than yours. I go to work, I come home, I mow my lawn, and snowblow my driveway, I pay my taxes. I live a middle class lifestyle. A "lifestyle" implies choice. I have no choice in being gay.