All over the world LGBT marriage is a widely debated topic. LGBT is an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and any other sexuality. In 2004 approximately 55% of the US population opposed LGBT marriage (Jost, 2013, p. 261). Although, in the past few years’ people have become more accepting of the LGBT community and by November of 2013, 52% of the US population was in favor of LGBT Marriage (p. 261). As of 2015, 37 states have made LGBT marriage legal, but in the eyes of many this is still not enough. President Barack Obama stated in his inauguration speech that “Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law, for if we are truly created equal, then surely the …show more content…
constitution. Both the 5th and 14th Amendments of the U.S. constitution state that no person shall be "deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law" and the Equal Protection Clause in the 14th Amendment says that no state shall "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws” (“Pro & Con Arguments: ‘Should Gay Marriage Be Legal?’ “, 2015). Yet, the federal government still created a law in 1996 known as DOMA, or the Defense of Marriage Act. DOMA treated same-sex couples as if they were not married, even if their marriage was valid in the state where they lived. DOMA also made same-sex couples unable to receive tax breaks, Social Security benefits, and even employer provided health insurance. Evan Wolfson, the founder and president of the New York City-based advocacy group Freedom to Marry clearly stated that, “the freedom to marry is a basic right under the Constitution” (as cited in Jost, 2013, p. 259). In June of 2013, the Supreme Court finally struck down DOMA, ruling the law unconstitutional (Jost, 2014). This opened the doors for more states to legalize LGBT marriage, and since the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2013 twenty-nine states have legalized it. To this day, there are only 13 more states that have to legalize LGBT marriage in the United …show more content…
“Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion... [have] the right to marry and to [find] a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution” guarantees the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (“Pro & Con Arguments: ‘Should Gay Marriage Be Legal?’ “, 2015). Basic rights, benefits, and protections that are given to heterosexual couples are not given to same-sex couples. These benefits can include hospital visitations, joint taxes to reduce tax burden, access to family health coverage, and the inheritance rights if a partner dies (“Pro & Con Arguments: ‘Should Gay Marriage Be Legal?’ “). Same-sex couples also don’t have the right to protections like a heterosexual couple would if their relationship were to end. These rights include child custody, child or spousal support, and equal divisions of property (“Pro & Con Arguments: ‘Should Gay Marriage Be Legal?’ “). Even the White House website lists same-sex marriage amongst a selection of civil rights. Why is it so hard for people to let one person love another? No matter race, gender, religion, or sexuality the people of the United States should be allowed to love and marry whomever they
society is the idea of gay marriage. This is the idea that two males or two females can be married. Although many people accept this, there are people that try to argue that gay marriage will destroy the concept of marriage and the idea/concept of procreation. Gay marriage was legalized in 2015, but is still a prevalent issue because the opposing side is trying to get the law revoked. Not only is gay marriage a prevalent issue but so is discrimination against the LGBT community. In reference to
Green’s (2010) article From Outlaws to In-Laws: Gays and Lesbian Couples in Contemporary Society is an excellent literary source that depicts some of the major issues that homosexual couples and families have faced. The issues include legality of marriage, adoption rights, and societal attitudes toward homosexuality (Green 2010). This article was written four years ago and it is important to acknowledge that there have been major shifts within society in those four years regarding homosexuality.
In the recent years, the LGBT rights movements have gained momentum both in the States and internationally. Not only are more people in favour of LGBT rights (particularly same-sex marriage, as recent polls have shown), they are also seeing through the flawed nature of arguments set by those opposed to said rights. This research paper will be discussing ten of the most common arguments presented by opposers of LGBT rights (particularly expressing identity and marriage laws), as well as outline why
LGBT and Gender Equality Behind every controversial dispute there is a history preceding it. Many arguments, protest, and political disputes take place during any disagreement. Especially if it is nationwide. Around the world in today’s society there is plenty discrimination that goes on. Arguments and disagreements usually are caused by closed minded people who are opinionated. With nationwide problems come several disputes over various subjects. One subject for example would be legalizing gay marriage
I believe that same sex marriage should not have to be legalized. It should be something that is normal; However, It is not. Presently, there are organizations in multiple states trying to influence the government to legalize same sex marriage. Honestly, I’m all for it. Like Frank Ocean says “Marriage should be between love and love…Not a man and a woman.” There are hundreds of thousands if not millions of people who are against same sex marriage and homosexuality. The number one reason most people
Introduction As the political consultant for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community (LGBT), my duties are to push for the basic rights of the individuals who do, or cannot (in fear), identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. As the nation stands right now, being attracted to someone of the opposite sex is considered unnatural, unethical, and a choice to exist against God. However, the foundation that this nation was built upon was created centuries ago, and to
equality. All men are created equal, and therefore there should be no discrimination. It’s 2016 and people are still being beaten, raped, or murdered for loving someone of the same gender as them. Some cultures and religions have explanations for homosexuality, and others just think it’s wrong, but who would choose to be outcasted, unloved by their families, and bullied for their whole life? Since June 26, 2015, gay people were granted the right
today’s society, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community has been more accepted then in years prior, especially in the 1960’s and years prior to that, when anyone in the LGBT community would be horribly ridiculed, if not tortured. However, there still lies a long road for the LGBT community, as it pertains to human rights, equality, and particularly, marriage equality. Each individual has their own perception on marriage equality, whether it is based on moral basis, or on a humanistic
million Americans have reported experiencing same sex attraction (H). At least 700,000 people in the US identify as transgender or genderqueer (H). Most of these people do not have the basic legal rights that are given to heterosexual and cisgender people. Legal protection should be extended to all members of the LGBT community. Most states don’t have any laws against hate crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. According to police agencies, the third most frequent hate crimes are because
same-sex couples living in the U.S. today. However, less than 2% of same-sex couples are married (“Gay Marriage Statistics” 1). Prejudice against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual (LGBT) community has existed for years. LGBT individuals are often bullied, abused, and denied their basic rights and benefits. The right to marry is one of them. Same-sex marriage should be legalized because marriage is indeed a civil right, it provides many benefits, and would be beneficial to society as a whole
“Being gay is natural. Hating gay is a lifestyle choice” - John Fugelsang. The question of LGBT rights come into play with this quote. What kind of human rights violations are LGBT people exposed to? When thinking about the answer to the question, there are a lot of themes to take into consideration. For example, LGBT rights affect government, environment, social relations, and ethics. Determining what themes human rights violations affect allows us to see how some countries have better human rights
In recent years, same-sex marriage has become a more controversial topic on whether it’s right or wrong. People should not feel coerced to agree with something they believe is wrong; clearly, same-sex marriage is immoral and unnatural. Many complications come with same-sex marriages including financial pressures, social pressures, moral pressures, and health risks. Many people believe in a traditional marriage between a man and a woman. God created man and woman to be faithful and produce children
this was not always the case. In order for same-sex couples to be represented the way they are in modern day society, Canada had to experience social change. Specifically, legal same-sex marriage was achieved through a change in law enforcement, but this process had a substantial impact on Canadian society. Same-sex marriage was officially legalised by in Canada on July 10, 2005 by the Supreme Court, meaning
As of 2015, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community continues to struggle for equal rights held by their straight counterparts. Socially, LGBT persons are subject to discrimination, hate crimes, and stigma, while legally, LGBT persons encounter obstacles that preclude them from basic rights afforded to every other subculture in America. One of the most divisive issues related to LGBT rights has been same-sex marriage, which has been creating conflict both politically and socially
The United States is an example for diversity and tolerance in the world. There are laws, policies and protection for a person’s rights. However, even with this in place many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) are still discriminated against. LGBT Today faces discrimination with housing, jobs, relationships, insurance, medical care, adopting, religion and social prejudice. The rights of homosexual persons are not equal to a person who is heterosexual. A person who is homosexual are told