...Most people believe that they deserve the rights they are granted by the government. An upstanding citizen who pays their taxes, serves their community and abides by the law should be afforded the rights of an American. However, not all citizens are afforded equal rights. Gay and lesbians are consistently denied rights that are typically taken for granted by the average American. Specifically, gay and lesbians couples are denied the right to marry even if they are upstanding citizens. They are held at an unfair disadvantage solely because of their sexual orientation. This discrimination must stop because gay and lesbian couples are law-abiding citizens too, who should be afforded the same rights as heterosexual couples. One common problem that plagues gay and lesbian couples that are denied the right to marry is their inability to claim their partner’s social security after he or she has died. The Human Rights Campaign, which work to achieve equal rights for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people, is supporting the effort to attain survivor benefits for domesticate partners. They believe, “Any alteration to the Social Security system must include partners of gays and lesbians in its definition of survivor”(Survivor Benefits 1). Currently, there are no programs that give homosexuals survivor benefits like the ones that are provided for heterosexuals who are married or divorced. Gay and lesbian partners are not able to claim benefits of their deceased, regardless...
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...Most people believe that they deserve the rights they are granted by the government. An upstanding citizen who pays their taxes, serves their community and abides by the law should be afforded the rights of an American. However, not all citizens are afforded equal rights. Gay and lesbians are consistently denied rights that are typically taken for granted by the average American. Specifically, gay and lesbians couples are denied the right to marry even if they are upstanding citizens. They are held at an unfair disadvantage solely because of their sexual orientation. This discrimination must stop because gay and lesbian couples are law-abiding citizens too, who should be afforded the same rights as heterosexual couples. One common problem that plagues gay and lesbian couples that are denied the right to marry is their inability to claim their partner’s social security after he or she has died. The Human Rights Campaign, which work to achieve equal rights for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people, is supporting the effort to attain survivor benefits for domesticate partners. They believe, “Any alteration to the Social Security system must include partners of gays and lesbians in its definition of survivor”(Survivor Benefits 1). Currently, there are no programs that give homosexuals survivor benefits like the ones that are provided for heterosexuals who are married or divorced. Gay and lesbian partners are not able to claim benefits of their deceased, regardless...
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...people believe that they deserve the rights that they are granted by the government. An upstanding citizen who pays their taxes, serves their community and abides by the law should be afforded the rights of an American. However, not all citizens are afforded equal rights. Gay and lesbians are consistently denied rights that are typically taken for granted by the average American. Specifically, gay and lesbian couples are denied the right to marry even if they are upstanding citizens and are held at an unfair disadvantage solely because of their sexual orientation. This discrimination must stop because gay and lesbian couples are law-abiding citizens as well, who should be afforded the same rights as heterosexual couples. If same-sex couples are paying taxes to build roads and help public schools like the heterosexual couples, they should be afforded the same rights. One common problem that plagues gay and lesbian couples that are denied the right to marry is their inability to claim their partner’s social security after he or she has died. Currently, there are no programs that give homosexuals survivor benefits like the ones that are provided for heterosexuals who are married or divorced. Gay and lesbian partners are not able to claim benefits of their deceased, regardless of the fact that all working citizens, heterosexual or homosexual, pay into the Social Security system for survivor benefits. Sadly, this leaves many gay and lesbian couples with an unstable retirement. The most...
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...in granting homosexual couples a right to marry. The pros and the cons throw out a ton of arguments supporting their position. This issue, whether or not the same-sex marriage should be allowed, is extremely controversial and the debates never end. In this paper, I take the pro side by providing strong both qualitative and quantitative data, how the homosexual marriage can benefit society, how far they have fought for their rights, etc. Marriage is commonly construed as a legal relationship between a man and a woman or between a husband and a wife to build a new family. According to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, a family is “the basic unit in society having as its nucleus two or more adults living together and cooperating in the care and rearing of their own or adopted children.” In spite of this neutral definition of family, it is called neutral because the dictionary never mentions the gender of the adults; many people in our society do not picture lesbian or gay couple when they think about a family. In America, gay or lesbian couples cannot just legally marry as normal couples do in any state, except in Massachusetts; where same-sex marriage is allowed. Same-sex couples have to be ready to receive all the negative consequences because they cannot legally marry; for example, higher estate tax and insurance, difficulties in making end-of-life health care decisions for their partners, etc. But, they still have the right to create their own ‘legal’ relationship, without...
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...Conflict Resolution and Mediation: A Look at Same Sex Couples Psychology 399 Kari Holter May 3rd, 2013 Conflict can be both good and bad and with mediation and conflict resolution we can handle conflict situations properly and strengthen relationships. In this paper I will focus on same sex couples and how mediation and conflict resolution is the same and different compared to heterosexual couples. I will talk about some background info on conflict, mediation, and same sex couples and families. I will then discuss the 4 articles I read and what was found on same sex couples and mediation. CONFLICT Conflict is the interaction of interdependent people who perceive incompatibility and the possibility of interference from others as a result of this incompatibility (Folger, Poole, Stutman, 2009). The most important feature of conflict is human interactions and they are sustained by behaviors of the parties involved and their reactions to one another. These reactions are usually verbal and nonverbal communication. MEDIATION Mediation is a range of processes in which a mediator facilitates communication between parties to assist the parties in reaching voluntary decisions related to their dispute (SBHE Policy 605.5, Antes, 2003). There are three types of mediation. 1. Transformative – empowerment and recognition opportunities are supported. 2. Facilitative – parties reach a mutually satisfactory agreement. 3. Evaluative – parties decide based upon...
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...102-02 Gay rights and Religion I choose to do my paper on gay rights and religion. I will be talking about Amendment 14. States that support gay marriage. Religious rights versus gay rights. Gay rights and religious freedom. Gay discrimination. Gay rights and the Constitution. In February of 2004 San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom ordered the city clerk to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. The issue that had simmered in the background for years was moved toward the front of the nation's political agenda. Supporters of the more traditional conceptions of marriage fought Newsom in the courts. When they failed there they were placed on California's 2008 ballot that would restrict marriage to heterosexual couples only. Before the 2008 election Massachusetts and Connecticut had already legalized same-sex marriage. Soon after California's vote, Vermont and Iowa joined the ranks states that allow gay couples to marry. While many supporters of gay marriage have focused on winning state approval through the political process by passing new laws to legalize the practice. That strategy has succeeded but only in New England. In the other states, gay marriage has been established only through the courts. While most of the legal fighting over gay marriage has unfolded in the various state courts, many gay-rights advocates suggest that soon the battle needs to be taken to the next level and fought out in the federal courts. Total victory will come only, when gays and...
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...same-sex marriage here in the Philippines?” “Marriage is about LOVE, not GENDER”, this is what the gays and lesbians wanted to say. Nowadays, this issue, the same-sex marriage is viral in the whole world. But, what is same-sex marriage? It is defined as a union between two people who are of the same gender or biological sex. Since 2001, ten nations and other jurisdictions have made this type of union legal. Whether or not to recognize such marriages remains a source of debate as far as civil rights, political and social issues go. Introduction of same-sex marriage laws has varied by jurisdiction, being variously accomplished through legislative change to marriage laws, a court ruling based on constitutional guarantees of equality, or by direct popular vote (via ballot initiative or referendum). The recognition of same-sex marriage is a political and social issue, and also a religious issue in many countries and debates continue to arise over whether people in same-sex relationships should be allowed marriage or some similar status (a civil union). Same-sex marriage can provide those in same-sex relationships who pay their taxes with government services and make financial demands on them comparable to those afforded to and required of those in opposite-sex marriages. Same-sex marriage also gives them legal protections such as inheritance and hospital visitation rights. Various faith communities around the world support allowing those of the same sex to marry, while many...
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...ayGay Liberation & the African American Civil Rights Movement: Exploring the Connections Kelly Arruda Equality is a good start, but it is not sufficient. Equality for queers inevitably means equal rights on straight terms, since they are the ones who determine the existing legal framework. We conform— albeit equally—with their screwedup system. That is not liberation. It is capitulation. —Peter Thatchell Recent developments in samesex marriage have raised emotions, awareness and many questions about equality and rights as well as inquires about the benefits of marriage for society in general. Is the goal to blend into an existing system of rights and privileges or to work toward a new framework of acceptance? To examine these questions, I invite you to take a journey through the past sixty years and visit moments of both the African American and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Civil Rights Movements. By examining the African American Civil Rights Movement, I attempt to survey and assess the advantages and disadvantages of both the assimilationist and liberationist perspectives of the GLBT Movement. Historical Context The racist institution of Jim Crow grew out of the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 which abolished slavery in the United States. Long after slavery was abolished, however, African Americans continued to suffer cruel injustices throughout the country. The discriminatory system of Jim Crow perpetually ...
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...The policy prohibited military personnel from harassing and discriminating against closeted homosexual members and banned openly gays from military service. In Military Policy Toward Homosexuals, Davis discusses how: homosexuality is incompatible with military service…yet there are certainly homosexuals within the military. Current policy is to not let them in, if they somehow get in, they are to be put out. To facilitate this process, current policy allows separation based on homosexual tendencies alone, without proof of any homosexual acts. The “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy negatively affected the gay community, although many believed its original intention was to reach a compromise between the military and the gay and lesbian community (Belkin). Members of the military may only have a problem with gay and lesbian soldiers because they are experiencing the effects of the “mob mentality.” What I mean by “mob mentality” is that when members of a group are together, they tend to behave in a manner that they might not have when alone, or in a more intimate...
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...Gays in Society and the Effects on the Military Sean M. Czuchaj Introduction to Anthropology 101 Professor Michelle McBrady October 15, 2013 When it comes to homosexuals in society there are great many misguided opinions and active prejudices amongst the people around the world. More often than not those that associate themselves as being gay, lesbian, or even bisexual are chastised amongst their peers. The focus of this paper is to present an opinion as well as facts in a variety of subjects and how gays relate to them. Also to show the affect that gays have had on the military and policy changes that have positively impacted homosexuals. In many cultures, homosexual people are regularly the focus of bigotry and discrimination. Like those that associate themselves with many other minority groups they are the articles of prejudice, they are also the focus of stereotyping, which further adds to the “freezing out” from society. The prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping are all representations of forms of homophobia and heterosexism (or bigotry towards homosexuals), these can include negative assertiveness, prejudice, and discrimination in favor of heterosexuality and relationships. Heterosexism can embrace the belief that everyone is heterosexual or that opposite-sex allures and relationships are normal and consequently superior. Homophobia is a fear of, loathing towards, or discrimination against homosexual people. There are a number of different...
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...same sex marriages based on his or her morals, beliefs, and viewpoints. Popular reasons that citizens considered when deciding their stance are civil rights, religion, parenting, and financial matters. This paper will break down the pros and cons of each of the reasons listed and attempt to come to a conclusion of should same sex marriages be legalized in the state of Californians. Civil Rights The Constitution of the United States was written in 1776, which during that time there were no gender specifications noted pertaining to the recognition of a legal marriage. Same sex marriage debate is so large that in 1996, President Bill Clinton signed for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which clarified that marriage is between a man and woman. The main reason gay and lesbian couples are fighting hard to legalize same sex marriage is so those couples will be allowed to and benefit from the same government, financial, and legal stances as heterosexuals marriages. Several states allow partnerships or civil union for same sex couples, however, they are denied certain rights given to heterosexual couples (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2013). Because of the growing debate of same sex marriages, President Obama administration said that it would no longer defend the constitutionality of a federal law banning recognition of same-sex marriage (“Huff Post Politics”, 2013). Attorney General Eric Holder went on to say that President Obama’s administration could not defend...
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...to LGBTQ+ identities and changed this idea that LGBTQ+ individuals should be hiding who they truly are in order to fulfill social standards and the federal policies that were once in place. The repeal of this act empowered LGBTQ+ individuals and influenced more positive progression in regards to LGBTQ+ rights. On February 23, 2011, just two months before the Arkansas Department of Human Services v. Cole case, the Obama Administration successfully decided that the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional. The Defense of...
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...2011 Same-Sex Marriage and Its Affect on Society Gay marriage is a highly controversial topic that has caused violence, tears, confusion, debate, and unhappiness, and action towards the gay equality movement. The United States stresses how everyone is equal and everyone has the same rights, but if that were true, why are gays and lesbians not allowed to get married. In the recent years, the concept of same-sex marriage has become quite the controversial issue. Many lawsuits, law amendments, and debates of occurred because of this issue. It has not only caused pain to those who are affected by these laws, but it has caused hatred for both those who are affected and those who believe that same-sex marriage should not happen. There are many benefits to same-sex marriages. Same-sex marriage decreases the risk of sexually transmitted diseases amongst the gay community, increases adoptions, and is all about love; therefore same-sex marriages should be legalized. Gays and lesbians have been fighting hard for equality for many years now. Before the fight for same-sex marriage came about, discrimination against homosexuals was the current war that is still in process. In its earlier years, being gay was unacceptable. People had to hide who they truly were in order to avoid being beaten or bullied. During and after the wild 1960s, a lot of people were sleeping with multiple partners and even groups. This led to gays and lesbians becoming more open about their sexuality because most...
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...Roger Lopez INRW 0405-340 Professor: Michele Forbes 07November 2014 Draft Should Gay Marriage Be Legal In Texas? An Annotated bibliography According to Bothelo, a federal Texas judge did not implement the ban for same- sex marriage. The judge, stated “the current prohibition has not legitimate governmental purpose.” However the ruling by Judge Orlando Garcia will not go into effect immediately; there is a process that will take place which will not allow same- sex marriage in Texas for the time being. Bothelo, article gave the LGBT community hope that soon same sex- marriage will be recognized. Two couples who have challenged the ruling said they hope to make a payment for equality and rights for the LGBT community so they won’t have to go through the, embarrassment, in-difference they are going through. Many Texas citizens according to the article are in favor of same-sex marriage in Texas. Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa Called Wednesday “A historic day for the lesbian and gay community.” (Pg1) Bothelo, article goes onto to say Texas still has some many obstacles to overcome before there is much celebration. Greg Abbot will be challenging the ruling to be held in New Orleans, by the federal appeal courts in the near future. Even though the Supreme Court has ruled over a numerous of times in regards to the ban. It has been to the discretion of each state to define &...
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...Chanel Thortnon Eng 310 Fall 2009 Mrs. Rangel 12/3/2009 I feel same sex marriages should be legalized because they want the same rights as heterosexual couples. I feel they should be able to have the same rights. Same sex couples should be allowed to marry in the United States. First of all, while it is a relatively new practice that same-sex couples are being granted the same form of legal marital recognition as commonly used by same-sexed couples, recent publicity and debate over the past decade gives an impression that civil marriage for lesbian and gay couples is novel and untested. Some cities have passed laws providing for same sex couples and heterosexual couples, who are living together without being married. To become domestic partners, the partners must register their relationship at a government office and declare that they are in a "committed" relationship. Domestic partnerships provide some but not all of the legal benefits of marriage. Some of the common benefits are the right to coverage on a family health insurance policy, the right to family leave to take care of a sick partner , bereavement leave, visiting rights to hospitals and jails, and rent control benefits (to the same extent a spouse would retain reduced rent if his or her partner died.) I don’t see no harm in a same sex marriage because they are the same person that they have always been the only difference is that they are in a same sex relationship. One of my best friends is in a same sex relationship...
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