...“Same-Sex Marriage and the Civil Rights Movement” Shelby Atkinson COM/170 April 27, 2015 Vanessa D. Hayden “Same-Sex Marriage and the Civil Rights Movement” Is the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and the fight for same-sex marriage the same? African Americans fought discrimination and unfair treatment, segregation and hate for being who they were. Same-sex couples are doing the same thing, now in fighting for equality, rights, and liberties that America owes them all. Same-sex couples may not have been enslaved, but doesn’t that mean same-sex couples don't feel hurt all the same by not being allowed to be with someone they love or in danger because of it. Just because they didn't endure the years of hardship that African Americans doesn't mean same-sex couples don't have their fair share of discrimination for extremely illegitimate reasons. It boils down to people’s blatant fear of change and allowing anything new to blossom. Marriage equality is the same fight as the Civil Rights Movement because it will benefit everyone, end discrimination, and make a better future for our country. Marriage equality will benefit everyone like the Civil Rights Movement did in the 1960’s. Federal, state, and local government will benefit the same ways it did after the Civil Rights Movement. There are 1,138 benefits, rights, and protections available to married couples, but not to same-sex couples until marriage equality is approved everywhere. Marriage equality will create opportunities...
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...Marriage Equality in the United States Com172 Marriage Equality in the United States There is a crusade against same-sex couples in the United States of America, and this conflict affects the rights of those in love with someone of the same-sex wanting a peaceful life in matrimony. It is a persistent battle, and continues to be as difficult as the fight for women’s rights and the desegregation conflicts of the past. Infringing upon Civil rights makes this a matter of human decency, and ignorance-based resistance makes it a matter of fear. Both sides have evoked controversy from political and religious standpoints, and both sides have fought diligently for their beliefs. However, when two consenting adults decide to marry, it is not the business of the government to dictate the relationship between the impending spouses. Marriage is the right of all consenting adults, and when those rights are the property of the state simply because of religious beliefs or personal beliefs, same-sex couples become second-class citizens. In the United States, there are only 13 states legally accepting same-sex marriage, 35 states that consider it illegal and two states that have made no legal decision. Of the 13 states recognizing same-sex marriage, the fight to extend those rights to a federal level has been arduous, making a first major win recently, in June 2013. The Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to be unconstitutional, stating, "DOMA singles out a class of persons...
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...Gay marriage is a controversial topic in society today. Most Americans do not agree with same sex marriage because of religious beliefs. What they fail to realize is that banning gay marriage will go against the United States Declaration of Independence well known phrase, “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”. Homosexuals have nothing to do with heterosexuals. The homosexual community harms and destructs nobody and no one. That being said, people should not be so hostile against same sex marriage. Americans should have their own rights to enjoy life with their significant other, whether that being with the same sex or not. Society today should learn how to respect other peoples choice of style and preference. Marriage itself is between two people. Therefore, does it matter if it’s with the same sex? People should not be judged based off of their sexual orientation, but by the content of their character. Happiness should not be determined by others nor by the government. When viewed by others people should not see black or white, gay or straight. As a community, we...
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...Here Same-sex marriage has been an ongoing issue for quite some time in the United States and it has existed throughout all of history; it has gone on a roller coaster of decisions just in the past fifteen years. The United States has not always been in favor of same-sex marriage, however, there are regions within the US, such as Massachusetts, that did get off of the path of the rest of the country and made their own laws about granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples. “Since 2001, ten countries and other nation-states have begun to legally formalize same-sex marriages, including Canada, Spain, and some regions within the United States” (Reidel 275). With the support of gay marriage from President Barack Obama, a few other states were in support also. The support of same-sex marriage comes from the belief that it would better our society and that it is an equal right amongst couples. Despite the factual evidence, there are still many people who believe that same-sex marriage would harm our society, but there is always an argument against that. The legalization of gay marriage would better our society and there are many sources and an ample amount of research to prove that. Same-sex marriage should be an equal right. As African-Americans once fought for their freedom, women once fought for their right to vote, now homosexuals are fighting for their right to marry. The constitution says that everyone has a right to liberty and equality; however same-sex couples...
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...Jimmy Elia Lomuro – 644694. Michelle Khalenya Shimoli – 640717. Njenga Joel Gichuhi. – 643203. LECTURER : Brenda Wambua. TASK: Semester Group 1 Term Paper. BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION: SHOULD THE GAY COMMUNITY BE ACCEPTED IN OUR SOCIETY GLOBALLY? What is sexual orientation? According to the American Psychological Association (APA), sexual orientation is an enduring, emotional, romantic, sexual or affectional attraction to another person. Basically, Sexual orientation is about who attracts us. This attraction may lead to love hence marriage. The issue of same-sex marriage is an argument that we have heard of and have strong opinions on. We believe that homosexual couples should have the same marriage rights as heterosexual couples. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Marriage is a basic human right. You cannot tell people they cannot fall in love." While he said this in reference to the marriage between races, the same can be said about homosexuals (Smiley, 2013). Who are we to judge who people get married to or not? Homosexuality, years ago, was unacceptable. Most gay people hid it from others who would discriminate the act. They married the opposite gender in order to live out a "normal" life. There were many instances of homosexuals being prosecuted and discriminated...
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...the right to choose our religion, the right to vote for whomever we feel will run our country to his or her greatest potential, and most important of all, the right to equality. Equality is the one thing that many Americans before us have fought and lost their lives over for centuries. Whether it be for race, religion, or the right to marry whichever gender we please, equality is the most profound rights that we have not only as American citizens, but as human beings. In this paper I will discuss my views on same sex marriage and analyze how the states Massachusetts and California are more liberal than the state of Kentucky when it comes to the issues of same sex marriage. The states Massachusetts and California are more liberal than the state of Kentucky when it comes to the issues of same sex marriage. In my opinion all American states should follow the state of Massachusetts and allow the right to same sex marriages. Granting legal marriage rights under the law must extend to gays and lesbians to ensure that all citizens enjoy full human rights. Same sex marriage is not only the marriage of man and man or woman and woman, but the marriage of two human beings who are in love. Love sees no gender, and my location should not play a role in who I can and can not marry. Literature Review Same sex marriage has been a major issue in our country for years. This issue has played majors roles in matters such as the legislators we elect, the places we choose to reside, and who...
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...following the statement by Biden, President Obama made a claim also supporting the marriage equality movement. Consequently, two of the highest figures within the government are pro equality, so other politicians probably think the same way. The outreach of other members of the government will eventually come to light as their comfort grows. The central idea the Supreme Court was most likely envisaging that as Americans we strive for equality. An abrupt truth is that the LGBT community is anything but equal. The community has been discriminated against, bullied, shamed, and harassed. Even with the success that the community had...
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...The Australian public are becoming more accepting of all sexualities and preferences in today’s society; however, there are still many groups and individuals who are not. In 2014, the Australian Liberal party’s pollster, Mark Textor, created the Crosby Textor poll, commissioned by the Australian Marriage Equality association which revealed that a massive 72 percent of Australians want same sex marriage legalized, as well as 77 percent who believe that a conscience vote should be granted for Coalition MPs. However, just recently Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott dismissed the idea of having a referendum on same sex marriage equality in Australia, after being confronted by media with regards to Ireland voting in favour of amending their country’s...
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...the United States gay marriage is a constant debate. Thirty US states still ban this practice. The people against it believe that it is wrong and unnatural and that it should be between one man and one woman as it has been since ancient times. Where as the supporters of gay rights and gay marriage argue that homosexuals have the right to be protected against discrimination and deserve equal treatment and access to all the same benefits of a heterosexual couple. In the following 4 Literature Reviews it will show the difference in opposing views on LGBT Marriage. In an article from The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships they reviewed a study done to examine how the LGBT men and women assign meaning to legally recognized same-sex marriage and its impact on their understanding of the LGBT community. This was an open-ended web survey that asked participants to consider the ways in which legally recognizing same-sex marriage could positively and negatively affect the LGBT community. 288 people participated in this study. It was a mix of both men and women ranging in ages from 19-66 years. They also had a mix of different racial and ethnic heritage. There were several open-ended questions followed by questions regarding demographics and other close-ended questions. The two main open-ended questions were, “In your opinion, how may legalizing same-sex marriage change the LGBT community for the better?”; “In your opinion, how may legalizing same-sex marriage change the LGBT community...
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...liberty and equality, America always has struggled with those very concepts. Throughout history, Americans have been challenged to make decisions that have oppressed and freed certain groups of people. The political fight for same-sex marriages is a perfect example of this notion. This relation between spouses has created a major controversy that is creating history in our nation. A series of protests, acts and political scandal has opened America to discuss a topic that had been in “the closet” for a long time. This discussion asks questions that have caused a visceral reaction in society. Same sex marriage opens the door to a new unnatural purpose that could detrimentally influence the fragile generations to come. Tradition is a strong component in the institution of marriage. The ideal American dream usually involves the perfect fairy-tale wedding with the gorgeous white wedding dress for the bride, the matching bridesmaids, the well-arranged bouquet and, the numerous rituals that compose this well thought-out event. Usually it requires a spectacular amount of planning, devotion and dollars to make the important day memorable. Family and friends come together to rejoice in the vows that will bond the two lovers into a lifetime journey of love, commitment and fidelity. Both persons in the relation is expected to have a role in this institution. According to Judith Wallerstein and Sandra Blakeslee, “In the idealized form of the older model of traditional marriage, the man’s...
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...22 Feb 2014 When thinking about same-sex marriage some of the the most common questions that appear have to do with the impact it will have. How will this effect todays society such as the impact on the future generation, the affect on the institution of marriage, and the legality of gay marriage. Most of all this paper will cover some questions that have to do about how society’s attitude toward gay marriage has changed. The most common occurrence of this topic is in current events in the United States. Same-sex marriage is the big topic of discussion now and is very relevant today with changing the institution of marriage. The long term effects of the continuing changes to the institution of marriage are the battle of equality, giving the rights for all couples to marry. Although many changes have happened throughout the history of marriage, struggles still occur today for all types of marriages. This topic influences everyone today. People have an opinion on the situation whether good or bad. The impact of this subject is huge. Not only are the people who are fighting for equality affected but everyone else as well. Even if people turn their cheek to the issue they still play a role. Same-sex relationships will continue to evolve and it will take everyone’s involvement to make changes. For instance interracial marriage has paved the way for marriage equality and much of what interracial couple have gone through is what same-sex couples are going through today...
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... | | | |…in WP 3 | | |Academic Search Complete|Same Sex and Society |Children in Same-Sex |V.V. SolodnikoV and a.M.|This article will help me| | | | |Marriages |ChkanikoVa |understand what society | | | | | | |thinks about same sex | | | | | | |marriage and children. | | |Academic Search Complete|Same Sex Marriage and |Gay Marriage in Spain |Carlos Castresana |This article will help me| | | |Society | | |tell people of the impact| | | | | | |of gay marriage not only | | | | | | |in America. | | |Academic Search Complete|Same Sex Marriage and |Gay Marriage: For Better|Daniel Pinello |This article will help me| | | |Divorce |or...
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...Robert Murray Ms. Arthurs English 100 22 October 2014 Marriage Equality in America Marriage is an important part of our society. A civil and emotional bond between two lovers, the strongest and most sacred there is. Imagine how indignant we would be if we as Americans were denied this essential right. Fortunately, this is the land of the free, and most of us have the legal and social privilege to get married and raise a family. Unfortunately, there are about 11.7 million people who get left out of this deal because their partner is the same gender as they are. These marriages are no different from other legal marriages, yet we still refuse to recognize them in the United States. A miniscule six states have made these marriages legal. The main reason is that there are opponents of marriage equality with concerns as to the consequences of allowing marriage equality. Present here are the largest concerns of the opposition, accompanied by compromises and solutions which are backed by research and dispelling of common myths and misconceptions. Many people rationalize their bias against marriage equality with the claim that non-heteroexuality is unnatural. We are a nation of progress. We are always innovating and inventing and bringing new things into our culture. Are SmartPhones and iPods “natural”? Are polyester and air conditioning “natural”? Are the medications keeping our our loved ones in the hospital alive “natural”? No. The American lifestyle has adopted these “unnatural”...
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...believe that marriage is between a man and woman, when in reality, marriage can be different from the stereotypical heterosexual marriage. Western culture devalues those who do not follow the stereotypical roles of a male and female or participate in same-sex marriage. Society becomes open-minded as minority couples fight for equal rights. The article “How today’s marriage equality win is also about gender equality” by Irin Carmon supports Nancy Cott’s chapter, “Marriage Revised and Revived”, by discussing the increase in marriage equality, which in turn leads to freedom and acceptance in society. It is evident that there is inequality between a husband and wife, but as society transitions to a more accepting...
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...Same-sex Marriage: Liberals vs. Conservatives The political issue of same-sex marriage has become one of the most popular issues that our society has ever dealt with. Last year in 2012, it was considered one of the top political issues of the year. Same-sex marriage is the marriage of two people of the same biological gender and/or gender identity. Supporters of same-sex marriage will also use the term marriage equality when discussing same-sex marriage. Currently, there are countless amounts of people who are working to legalize same-sex marriage in the U.S. There are also countless amounts of people who are against legalizing same-sex marriage. Should two people of the same sex be allowed to get married? Liberals and conservatives have two very different answers to that question. When discussing an ideology’s view on a certain topic, it is important to refer back to the core themes of that ideology. The core themes of liberalism are: the individual, freedom, reason, justice, and toleration. The core themes of conservatism are: tradition, human imperfection, organic society, hierarchy and authority, and property. When asking a liberal if same-sex marriage should be legalized, their answer would most likely be yes. Liberals believe that marriage is a union between two people that love each other. It should not matter if that marriage is between two people of the same sex as long as they love one another. To ensure equality for everybody, they believe that marriage...
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