Same-sex marriage is one of the leading political topics in the United States today. There is an ongoing dispute pertaining to the legalization of same-sex marriages. America has shifted its head to focusing on supporting same-sex marriage or not. Many are for and against this topic but there has been no settlement for it yet. Homosexuals want to marry for the same reason that heterosexuals have and there should be no reason why they are not allowed to. There is some history behind this topic but there has yet to be a solution.
During World War II and well after that brought many different social and political changes to the United States of America. One of the major changes was the discovery of homosexuality. In 1969 the Stonewall riots turned into a widespread protest for equal rights and acceptance. Homosexuality used to be considered a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association until 1973. According to an article by Elizabeth Ahlin, in 2000 an amendment passed in the state of Nebraska not allowing same-sex marriage and currently there is no campaign against this amendment (A1). The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) came about in 1996 and is a federal law that denies federal recognition of same-sex marriage and lets states refuse to recognize same-sex marriage in other states. Soon after this federal law three states adopted a same-sex marriage ban, these states include: Alaska in 1998, Nebraska in 2000, and Nevada also in 2000. Between the years of 2004 and 2006 same-sex marriage became legal in three different state, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont. Ever since Connecticut legalized same-sex marriage on November forth one hundred and thirty-nine same-sex couples have been married there, and out of the one h...
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...all these benefits sound like a lot it really is not and not all states have all of these benefits.
Legal marriage should be for everyone not just heterosexuals. Denying homosexuals the right to marriage affects them greatly in more than one way. Many people do not approve of same-sex marriage because it is against their own religion. The only people that benefit from this are the people that do not accept same-sex marriages. Marriage is supposed to be between a man and a woman according to some and could interfere if they adopt children. Currently there are four states that allow gay marriage. Civil unions and domestic marriage are both ways for others to argue against same-sex marriages but do not replace marriage. Allowing same-sex marriage in all of the states in the United States will not harm anything. Homosexuals are not hurting anyone if they get married.
A debate is raging in America about who people have a right to marry. In response to lesbians and gays asking for the right to marry, many legislators are writing laws to ban same-sex marriage in their respective states. Even President Bush supports a Constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage (prez.bush.marriage/). Opponents of such legislation do not want discrimination passed into law and are protesting at every opportunity. One must understand the reasons that people want to ban same-sex marriage before he or she can effectively argue about the subject. Many advocates of same-sex marriage bans say that allowing gays and lesbians to marry would degrade the institution of marriage because marriage is only supposed to exist between a man and woman. In addition, allowing same-sex marriage would cause problems for society (Issues and Controversies on File). One theory why opponents may fight against same-sex marriages is that heterosexual marriages have long reinforced traditional gender roles within marriage and that allowing same-sex marriages would cause males to lose their authority to subordinate females as heterosexual couples begin to model same-sex marriage gender equality (Calhoun 157).
As granted by the United States Constitution, everyone is entitled to equal rights. The Supreme Court of the United States recently ruled that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage. Gay rights are forgotten many times and equal rights for same-sex marriage are often ignored. For this reason, federal authorities have left policymaking regarding this topic up to individual state governments. Many people throughout the United States, and across the world, have extremely different views on the subject; some because of religious reasons, others because of family, others because of how they were raised. The policy of gay marriage and equal rights is an extremely touchy subject, and is much deeper than what it may seem.
With the economic support, the adoption rates rising, and the equality same-sex couples deserve, gay marriage deserves to be legalized throughout the nation and the world. Rejecting the right of marriage to these couples hurts them and the way they are able to live their lives. Everyone deserves marriage and life equality despite the person they love because we have equality rights based on us as an individual, not on who we decide to love.
The issue of gay marriage needs little introduction as it is one of the most widely contended and discussed topics in the United States of America. While the issue is relatively recent one has to question why this is even an issue to begin with. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage. Arguments come from both religious groups, as well as secular focused sources. Reasoning against gay marriage ranges from religious immorality, to the idea that giving gays the right to marry would support minoritarianism (giving minority special privileges and advantages in either a legislative or societal capacity). There are countless arguments besides those mentioned, few of which have any substantial grounds to stand on. Gay marriage causes no political or communal grief, except for those who strongly oppose it now. Even for those people gay people exist either way. Whether they are married or not will not change that and their lives will not be dramatically changed from it. Gay marriage has no valid reason to be outlawed and there are plenty of reasons to allow it.
Homosexuals, targets of discrimination and social injustice, deserve to have equal opportunities and rights as every other person in America, homosexual or straight. Homosexual marriages are accepted already by the Constitution, and they offer nothing but economic and social benefits if legalized, therefore there is no real reason as to why homosexual marriages should not be legalized.
It doesn't hurt society or anyone in particular. A marriage is a relationship between two people and the only thing that should matter in marriage is love. It's a personal commitment that isn't anyone else's business. Society shouldn't be saying what two people can or can't do when no is hurt in the process. The number one reason that heterosexuals marry isn't to establish legal status or for any of the other benefits of marriage but they marry because it's the ultimate expression of a person's love f...
The topic of same-sex marriage, or gay marriage, is extremely divisive in today's society. This paper will address some of the issues surrounding gay marriage. Many in favor of same-sex marriage suggest that gay couples should have the same marital benefits as heterosexual couples, which is simply a civil rights issue. In contrast, those against same-sex marriage see this concept as a moral matter, which violates traditional ethical standards. Since the beginning of time, most cultures have acknowledged marriage a unity between men and women. In addition, the concept of traditional marriages has been challenged in some states to allow same-sex marriage as well. In response to this movement, many states have passed marriage laws to forbid gay marriages. Hence, currently there are some states in favor of gay marriage and some states against gay marriage. Moreover, there are many ways to look at this issue such as personally, religiously, and politically.
Everyone deserves the right to marry and be with who they want. One of the arguments people use against same sex marriage is that it would negatively impact heterosexual marriage. It’s hard to comprehend how same-sex couples getting married would affect heterosexual marriage. Already today in the US the divorce rate for opposite sex couples is 50 % (Kellard). There is no constitutional basis for denying same-sex couples the right to get married. In fact the 14th amendment to the constitution supports that same sex couples should be allowed to marry (Kellard).
Marriage is a commitment between two individuals. The definitions for commitment differ from cultures to cultures, but in America, marriage and commitment means that it is a contract and binding between two people together providing them with benefits. The question that is raise in America today is that is whether or not these rights to these benefits and commitment should be extended to the people of the same sex. This topic in widely debated in many countries not only in America alone. It is an important issue because it involve basic human moral and human rights. The first case of same sex marriage was Baker v. Nelson that was dismissed by the U.S Supreme Court was in 1972 when a Minnesota couple were denied marriage license by the Hennepin County District Court’s clerk in May 1970. “The couple loses again in the Minnesota Supreme Court decision ruled in a five page opinion that the Constitution does not protect a fundamental right for same sex couples to get married” (Denniston). A few more case was brought up during the 70’s but many of movements for same sex marriage was more in the 90’s and the 2000’s. There were a lot of states that fight for same sex marriage and win but in a lot of other states it was not successful.
Gay marriage should be legalized. Gay people should have the same rights as everyone else. They are being discriminated against. In this county we have always fought for equality. This issue is no different. Minorities, women, gay people and everyone else should be treated equally in the eyes of the law. Church and state are separate in this country. Shouldn’t gay people have the right to marry also? What about interracial marriage? Should that be legalized either? Everyone deserves equality; gay marriage is in no way hurting anyone. Gay people are no different than we are, we are all human beings. Who we chose to love should be no one else’s business but our own. Denying these marriages is a form of minority discrimination. “America was founded on the concept that the majority should rule, but the rights of minorities should be protected. It is the main reason we have a Bill of Rights as well as anti-slavery and equal protection amendments” (Pappas, Stephanie). Denying marriage to a homosexual couple is no different than denying marriage to Hispanic or black couples.
Same-sex marriage has been a controversial problem throughout history. In the United States, there are 17 states where same-sex marriage is legalized and 33 states where it is not legalized. Even though there is a growth in number of people who supports legal recognition to same-sex marriage, many still oppose it because they consider same-sex marriage is unnatural. In specific, religious groups believe same-sex marriage is the cutting edge of sexual revolution, and such act offends God. As the result, same-sex couples are often denied from their very fundamental right and are discriminated by people around them. In addition, such injustice and discrimination also affects the mental and physical health of many homosexual persons. Even though civil unions in many states are authorized to provide protections for same-sex couples, the injustice and prejudice against homosexuals are nowhere seems to stop.
Legalizing same-sex marriage will not harm heterosexual marriage or the function of society. Marriage is a union between two people. It is based upon the love two people share, not on gender and sexuality. Heterosexual marriages do not affect each other on a day to day basis. Therefore, homosexual marriages will not either. Ellen DeGeneres, comedian, talk show host, and one of the most popular outwardly gay people in Hollywood, has been married to her wife, Portia, for the last four years. They were only lucky enough to get married during the short time gay marriage was legal in California. “Portia and I have been married for 4 years and they have been the happiest of my life. And in those four years, I don't think we hurt anyone else's marriage. I asked all of my neighbors and they say they're fine” (Boone) As of December 23, 2013, eighteen states have the freedom to marry same-sex couples. Over 38% of the U.S. population lives in a state that either has the freedom to marry or honors out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples. (Freedom To Marry) Same-sex marriage will not negatively harm other marriages or society. In fact, they will help society. Gay marriag...
Gay marriage has been a topic of discussion between many people. It is talked in good and bad ways, due to a person’s beliefs or even just their overall opinions. The topic has been present for many years. Throughout the years many things have improved for the rights of the same sex couples. It included difficult times for these couples. They had to fight for their rights. They had to fight people that did not believe that they have these rights.
The argument really comes down to letting adults do as they wish, they are not hurting anybody. Homosexuals getting married really has no effect on anybody but themselves. Although with all the extra weddings, gifts, and honeymoons, it would actually be a good way to stimulate the economy. Most People don’t realize that just because gay people get married doesn’t always have to mean that it’s hurting someone else. Why is it that only some states make same-sex marriage legal? All states should be legal. Everyone should be able to marry anyone of their choice and who cares about other people’s opinions, as long as there happy.
Denying people to get married is a form of discrimination. People are being treated differently because of their sexual orientation and it is morally wrong. Gay marriage has no effect on heterosexuals. So why are so many heterosexuals against it? The arguments against gay marriage are unreasonable. Some believe that being gay is unnatural or influences children to be gay. Studies show that there is no difference between children raised by same sex or straight couples.