...‘Marriage?’ Over the course of the past decade, the definition of marriage has never been questioned more. The typical union of a man and women can no longer be called the only form of ‘legal’ marriage, for now gay couple can be legally wedded. However, this is not the case when it comes to same-sex marriages in different states across the nation. Across the United States of America, six states allow couples to wed – Connecticut, New Hampshire, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont – as well as the District of Columbia. Home to more than 98,000 same sex couples, California would be the gay rights movement’s biggest prize of them all; simply for being the nations most populous state. Having allowed gay couples to wed, and then push for a same-sex marriage ban is ludacris. California is the only state to grant gays the right to marry and rescind it, but the measure to have a same-sex marriage ban serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status of human dignity of gays and lesbians in California. Furthermore, it will only officially reclassify their relationships, marriages, and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples. As states, like Maine and Washington follow suit in pushing from gay marriage California’s Proposition 8 seeks to ban the marriage of same-sex couples. As a friend of many gay people, it is in both theirs and my best interest that they are, or will be, happy one day. There is no direct evidence presented in the United States...
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...e 1. What is marriage? “For Gay Marriage” by Andrew Sullivan * Marriage is a legal contract between two people no matter the sexual preference of that couple. According to Sullivan, it is an outrage to deny homosexual couples the right to marry whomever they choose to. “Against Gay Marriage” by William Bennett * Marriage is between a man and a woman; bounded by a legal document and vow. Gays getting married will ultimately corrupt the marriage world and make it to where we can marry family members, etc. “Will Your Marriage Last?” by Aviva Patz * It doesn’t really point on what marriage is exactly, just why it is either successful or a failure. “The Radical Idea of Marrying for Love” by Stephanie Coontz * Marriage used to be strictly for the sake of reproducing and having good reputation in the social aspects of old communities, but maybe it should be more about love than that? “Sacred Rite or Civil Right?” by Howard Moody * Marriage is love, legal documentation is no more than a legal document and a signature. The vows are what mean the most, marry who you love. 2. What are reasons people get married? “For Gay Marriage” by Andrew Sullivan * If you are in love with someone, and of age to know that you are in love with them, then marriage is an option. “Against Gay Marriage” by William Bennett * People get married because they love each other if it is real, and for attention if it is gay is basically what Bennett hints around...
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...Marriage Equality Have you ever been in love? And have you ever had someone try and tell you that you can’t or shouldn’t be with that person? If you have, then I’m sure you did everything you could to try and be with them. Fighting for someone or something that you love can be tiring and stressful. Homosexuals have been fighting for years to get the right to be together. They’ve protested, complained, fought, and argued to try and change the minds of the world. We live in a society where we try and fit in and be like others, so we start to agree with others even if we know it’s wrong. Same sex marriage should be legalized in every state so that no matter where you go you’ll always have the right to be you and be with the person you choose. In 1988, there was a much higher opposition towards same sex marriage, almost everyone was against it. I think the reason for this is because religion was much more of an issue back then than it is now. Now in 2014, people have seemed to become more comfortable with the fact that people are homosexual and getting married. It’s almost like there’s a stereotype of people who are against it though. They say that its elderly people, African Americans, and republicans that seemed to be the most opposing ones. If the issue has come this far in such a short amount of time, I can only imagine how little of time it will take for same sex marriage to be legal in the entire country (Changing Same Sex Marriage Attitudes In America From 1988 Through...
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...Gay Marriages Priscilla Reyes Sociology 120: Introduction to Ethics & Sociology Kathleen Miller March 10, 2013 Gay marriages, I don’t believe in gay marriages only in marriages between a man and woman. I know that a lot of gays or lesbians are trying to get the Supreme Court to approve same sex marriage. In California, the Supreme Court is trying to get same sex marriages ban nationwide. The gay and lesbian are using the law to have the same sex marriages pass and there have been about 3 states like Maine, Maryland, and Washington that have passed the same sex marriage. In other states like Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Rhode Island, Minnesota, and New Jersey are against the same sex marriage. I don’t think that it should change what marriage is referring to between two men or two women; it is based on a man and woman marrying in holy matrimony. This is stated in the Bible and thru the standard government law and constitution. The government shouldn’t change the law of the constitution or the bill of rights because of same sex marriages. The gays and lesbians want the same rights as a man and a woman do when they get married, for instance if the significant other happens to pass away the significant other would inherited what their significant other left behind. It is not the same when a man inherited his wife life insurance policy or the wife inherits her husband’s life insurance. Marriage should only be between a man and a woman not two men or two women getting...
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...Injustice Involving Same-sex Marriage The legalization of gay marriages has been argued and talked about in our society for the earlier few years. It really is a very questionable subject matter. It is difficult for a lot of people to accept gay marriages. Writing a same sex marriage essay is becoming a more and more popular assignment, giving scholars the possibility to express their ideas on this particular matter. Same-sex marriage (also known as gay marriage) is marriage between two people of the same biological sex and/or gender identity. Legal recognition of same-sex marriage or the possibility to perform a same-sex marriage is sometimes referred to as marriage equality or equal marriage, particularly by supporters.(Dictionary.com) In early times, same-sex marriage was not considered taboo and in many cultures, it was encouraged. Random History (2011) explains that in the early civilizations of Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, the union between couples of the same-sex was recognized by the kingdom. During Greek’s early years, attraction between a man and another man was normal and was considered an expression of love. “The main considerations in same-sex relationships in early history were often love, beauty, and excellence of character rather than gender” (Random History, 2011, p.1). Same-sex marriages were often believed to be more pure than a heterosexual marriage. Marriage was believed to be the union of two people based on love. A marriage consisting of two males or two...
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...Why Gay Marriage Shouldn’t be Legalized The world is constantly changing and evolving. While it isn’t possible to stop this from happening, it is possible to stand up for what is morally right and for what isn’t. And now, we are faced with what many people feel is the “inevitable evolution” of marriage: legalizing homosexual marriages. Not allowing homosexual marriages to be recognized by the government and to be legal would prevent changing a fundamental institution, and would prevent unthinkable consequences. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia on the web defines marriage as a socially, sometimes religiously, and often legally recognized union between a man and a woman, forming a family, legitimizing sexual relations between the man and woman and procreation. In 2003, the definition of marriage in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary was defined as (a) : the state of being married (b) : the mutual relation of husband and wife : WEDLOCK (c) : the institution whereby men and women are joined in a special kind of social and legal dependence for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family. Now in 2006, Merriam-Webster has changed its definition of marriage to (1) : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2) : the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage. The Harper Bible dictionary defines marriage as the physical...
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...In today’s society gay marriage is very prevalent. Everyday more and more people are accepting gays and are starting to allow gay marriage. What about gay marriage and adoption? This is a topic that is becoming more prevalent than ever. I didn’t want to speak solely on gay marriage but gay marriage and adoption. I intend to inform you on the benefits and concerns that arrive from two people of the same sex who chose to adopt. In our text we discussed individual rights and responsibility. Is this a right, that two people can raise a child together or is this wrong? What would ethical theories suggest? These are the questions that I would like to answer for you as I intend on informing you the pros and cons of a gay marriage when adopting. Many gay and lesbian people are choosing to become parents through adoption; here are some reasons why they shouldn’t. One argument against gay or lesbian adoption is they cannot provide a good life for the child because of the discrimination the child might face. Some argue that children of gay and lesbian parents will be subject to harassment and ridicule. Parents are the most influential role model in his or her child’s life. Being raised by gay or lesbian parents will no doubt make it more likely for the child to choose to be gay. Parents are the ones who shape the child’s beliefs on what is right and wrong. Some might argue that same sex couples cannot reproduce naturally so therefore, it is wrong for them to even be together, much...
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...“I do!” In America there is a growing population that is not granted the right to walk down the aisle or have their relationship legally recognized. Regardless of sexual orientation, everyone is entitled to the same rights. Yet in most states, the estimated 3.1 million same-sex couples in this country (Bernstein, 247) cannot legally marry. The controversial topic of legalizing same-sex marriages is not a matter of heterosexual versus homosexual; it’s a matter of the laws of our nation not providing equality. As a straight Christian female, I object to homosexuality but I don’t pass my judgment on to others. More importantly, as a citizen, I know, religious beliefs Christian or any other have no weight in arguments regarding the laws of this democracy. I am outraged by this injustice in America and it’s seems to me that same sex marriages should by all means be legal. This is considered bureaucratic power. Bureaucratic power is a system of government in which most of the decisions are by state rather than elected officials. There are so many reasons why gay (or lesbian) marriages should be legal in the United States. First, look at the document on which this country was founded on, the Declaration of Independence, which states “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, which among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” It’s clear to see, this document’s purpose...
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...commentators believe that what people think of same-sex marriages, depends on their religious beliefs. But it is very far from the truth to call the same-sex marriage debate a religious debate, when it is actually all about politics. What one’s view on same-sex marriages is depends on whether one is conservative, liberal or libertarian. Or perhaps basic human rights and values? At least that is what Mike Adams writes in his article ‘Three Views on Same Sex Marriage’ the 21st of May 2012 for www.townhall.com. He calls the issue pretty simple for the conservatives, because they think the marital institution predates any governmental decision. To the conservatives, marriage is about protecting women and children, and taming men. The liberals do not think that we as individuals get our rights from God, but instead the rights are given to groups by the government. Liberals are of the opinion that any government can change any law and regulation as they want to, and they do not consider marriage to predate any laws. Libertarians, however, think that it is problematic to recognize marriage in any form. The government should not be in the business of promoting a religious institution, nor should the government recognize and regulate an even broader range of relationships than it already does. David Blankenhorn – in value-based opinion shift In 2007 David Blankenhorn, author of the book ‘Future of Marriage’, took a rather conservative point of view on marriage. He used children as...
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...In today’s society gay marriage is very prevalent. Everyday more and more people are accepting gays and are starting to allow gay marriage. What about gay marriage and adoption? This is a topic that is becoming more prevalent than ever. I didn’t want to speak solely on gay marriage but gay marriage and adoption. I intend to inform you on the benefits and concerns that arrive from two people of the same sex who chose to adopt. In our text we discussed individual rights and responsibility. Is this a right, that two people can raise a child together or is this wrong? What would ethical theories suggest? These are the questions that I would like to answer for you as I intend on informing you the pros and cons of a gay marriage when adopting. Many gay and lesbian people are choosing to become parents through adoption; here are some reasons why they shouldn’t. One argument against gay or lesbian adoption is they cannot provide a good life for the child because of the discrimination the child might face. Some argue that children of gay and lesbian parents will be subject to harassment and ridicule. Parents are the most influential role model in his or her child’s life. Being raised by gay or lesbian parents will no doubt make it more likely for the child to choose to be gay. Parents are the ones who shape the child’s beliefs on what is right and wrong. Some might argue that same sex couples cannot reproduce naturally so therefore, it is wrong for them to even be together, much...
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...between attorneys on the same side of a case.” Legal Writing: How to Write Legal Briefs, Memos, and Other Legal Documents in a Clear and Concise Style. Ed Amanda Martinsek (2009) NY: Kaplan Publishing An analysis of the law. The goal is to explain to the reader what the law says/requires in a particular area. “A memorandum might be written, for example, after a client has asked whether a lawsuit would be worth commencing. It would be used most immediately for advice to the client. If the result is a suit, some parts of the memorandum might be read again when the complaint is drafted. The memorandum might be consulted a third time when the attorney responds to a motion to dismiss; a fourth time while drafting interrogatories; a fifth time before making a motion for summary judgement; a sixth time before trial; and a seventh time in preparing an appeal.” Neumann, R.K.Jr p65 What should a memo include? Heading – Memo To: From: Date: Re: Introduction/Question Presented Brief Answer Facts Applicable Statutes (Rule(s)) Discussion – IRAC of each issue Conclusion (overall) John Bronsteen, 2006. Writing a Legal Memo. New York: Foundation Press, pp38-65 Introduction/Question Presented: The situation, how it engages with the rule, the legal issues that have arisen and breaking down the issue into a summary of the sub-issues. Brief Answer: 1st sentence should answer the question asked. Should link to the introduction/ question presented...
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...| The ongoing debate over gay marriage bothers people in many ways. Marriage has always been defined as a legal binding between one woman and one man that is recognized by law and involves certain legal, social rights and duties. Marriage in my eyes should be defined as a legal binding between any two people who are in love, whether it is two men or two women. It is not written anywhere in stone that a man is made for a woman and vice versa. I think that there is somebody for everybody and many people may not find that in the opposite sex. Same sex couples are treated as if they are not citizens when they are just like the rest of us. I’m not into women but I think that we were all created equals and should be treated the same way. We should all be given the same privileges and rights. No matter what life we choose to live, we should all be able to express our love to the person we choose to spend our lives with through marriage without any restrictions. Marriage has been defined as a legal binding between one woman and one man. That definition of marriage is unfair to many same sex couples because they are not given the right to legally marry the person who they have chosen to spend their life with. So many people think they choosing to be with a person of the same sex is morally wrong, but same sex couples may feel as if being with someone of the opposite sex is wrong. Everyone has a different outlook on life and nobody should be forced to be with someone who they...
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...Gay marriage legalization Gay marriage will always be a debate in this day and age no matter if it is legal or not. It is a topic of conversation that will light many fires within people and get them worked up past their breaking point, but the question remains is why? 2015 proved to be a game changer for the gay and lesbian community in the sense that the US Supreme Court made it legal in all 50 states to grant marriage privilege. There are tons of people and politicians that will fight back against the court system using religious believes as an argument, however everyone seems to forget that the United States was made on religious freedom. With that being said I believe that marriage should still be kept between a man and a woman. Marriage and getting to call something a marriage is nothing but a title on a piece of paper that everyone is striving to get. It is a bond between a man and a woman and within that bond they procreate and develop a family with children. But the people who stand for a same sex marriage believe that a bond should be made legal no matter what gender you are. Yes they are still able to procreate with the help of science or adoption, but is it really still the same in the end? It has always been the normal for children to grow up with one mother and one father and I believe that children need that bond with each gender in order to grow and learn in life. When you have a same sex couple you are denying that child the chance to bond with the other gender...
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...The ethical dilemma surrounding gay marriages Homosexuality is an erotic reaction to the sexual desire of people of the same sex. It is not only about sexual intercourse with similar sex as this could be as a result of limited sexual chances or even rituals in cultural practices. Homosexuality has been considered as a mental disorder. Some think it is Satanism. The issue of gay marriages is a hot topic in our country today. Some states have legalized gay marriages while other states still refuse same sex marriages. For instance in march last year, Michigan State legalized same sex marriages and later the same day, the ruling was stayed and later in the month, a central appeal court stayed the ruling for an indefinite period (Koppel & Jones,...
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...Gay Marriage When someone mentions marriage, people often picture one of the happiest days of their lives. Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman. Can you imagine two men or two women get to marry? As homosexual people who don’t hide their sexual disposition are increasing, their marriages become a controversial topic in society. Homosexuality is not only offensive to a religious person who believes God created a man and a woman to institute marriage, but it is also unacceptable to people who see it as a degeneration of the family, and a danger to a healthy society. Many people argue whether it is right or wrong, and some people just do not care or just do not want to talk about it. Homosexuality is on the rise in the United States as well as many other countries. People should aware that the same sex marriages are rising; traditional marriages are replaced. According to dictionary, Traditional Marriage is the social institution under which a man and a woman establish their decision to live as husbands and wife by legal commitments and religious ceremonies. Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. In society today same sex marriage is socially recognized the marriage between two persons with a same biological sex or social gender. These two very different views have caused a lot of social problems to current world. In closing, my personal viewpoint People should oppose homosexual marriage...
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