...Same Sex Marriage Recently the discussion of same sex marriage has been a hot topic in both the political and religious arenas. This controversial issue has caused many citizens to take a solid stance on 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...
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...Years ago same sex marriage was never even a question, people just wasn’t open to the idea. Now in society people are fighting to be able to have same sex marriage. In fourteen states so far there has been a bill passed to allow same sex marriage. Same sex marriage is now concerned a moral issue in society. Same sex marriage has its pros and cons on the situation. Just three years ago, support for gay marriage was 44%. The current 53% level of support is essentially double the 27% in Gallup's initial measurement on gay marriage, in 1996. Same sex marriage gives the same opportunity as someone who is in an opposite sex marriage. Everyone wants to be loved by someone that truly makes them happy, expressing love for someone just for being them but not looking at their gender. Most people thinks that it effects society but it has actually been helping as of July 13,2013 the divorce rate has went down in the states that has legalized same sex marriage. Same sex marriage get the joy of honoring their marriage in front of their love ones without being afraid of what others think. Gay marriage can provide care for children due to the fact that they can’t have children of their own that can adopt and take children out of the foster care system. Giving children in society another chance to have a good life. Same sex marriages still live by their morals when it comes to beliefs and how they chose to live. Everyone in the world should be able to live happy, whether it is someone of the...
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...Southern New Hampshire University 10-2 Same-Sex Marriage Kari Harmon Professor Mary Orcutt June 08, 2014 Introduction Same-sex marriage, popularly known as gay marriage, is a socially or legally reorganized wedlock between two persons of similar social gender or biological sex. Although the idea of same-sex marriage can be traced back to ancient times, in the United States, it not is legally reorganized at the national level. Some federal governments have, however managed to legalize same-sex marriage; namely in Massachusetts, Vermont, the district of Columbia, Iowa and Connecticut. The issue of same-sex marriage is one that has attracted a lot of controversies world over. In many nations, it has attracted conflicts in such issues as social, moral, political, religious and civil rights. The argument of same-sex marriage is an important one. The question of legalization of same sex marriages is an issue in many of our states today. I would like to argue that same-sex marriages do not infringe on any civil rights, but it is also immoral. We, as Christians, should not be afraid to stand up and use our Constitutional rights to speak against same-sex marriages. The debate over whether same-sex marriage should be legalized has focused on the infringement of civil rights. State recognition of marriages is not a common right. States control marriages in many ways, not just by denying same sex gender the right to marry. Approximately...
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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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...1 December 2015 As of June 26, 2015 same-sex marriage became legal in all 50 states. Although some people are still against it. Same-sex marriage can help in many ways whether it is helping with benefits, adoption, or lowering divorce rates. To begin with, same-sex couples should have access to the same benefits enjoyed by hetersexual married couples. When couples get married they get many benefits. Some benefits include hospital visitation, protection of an ending relationship, taxation rights, access to family health coverage. According to a poll taken by the New York Times “a same-sex couple denied marriage benefits will incur an additional $41,196 to $467,562 in expenses over their lifetime compared to a married heterosexual couple” (Gay Marriage). Gay marriage is in the Constitution’s commitments to liberty and equality. In 1974, court case Cleveland Board of Education vs. LaFleur the Supreme Court ruled “freedom of personal choice in matters of marriage and family life is one of the liberties protected by the Due Process Clause”. (Gay Marriage) The Due process law is a safeguard of life, liberty, or property by the Government. Banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clause. There are a lot of children being born that families cannot take care of for various reasons. To adopt a child the couple must be married and in a stable home. If same-sex couples get married they will be allowed to adopt...
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...11/8/06 Argument Essay Same-Sex Marriage: Not a Match for Society Marriage, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “the legal relationship into which a man and a woman enter with purpose of making a home and raising a family” (358).Although most people in the United States, including myself, agree on that definition, there are a select few who do not. Some feel same-sex marriage should be legalized; I disagree! I disagree because of its effects on children, its unnaturalness, and its religious immorality. My first argument addresses the effects of homosexual parents on children; and children affected by homosexuality in general. A child living in a home with homosexual parents encounters the problem of the lack of either a mother or father figure, which is important in raising a child, instead of being raised by both a mother and a father. Studies have shown that being raised by a mother and a father, children are less likely to do drugs, commit suicide, or become pregnant (Dobson). Another disadvantage to homosexual rearing is the child may become confused about his or her gender and sexuality. One source explained that females raised in a lesbian home are four times as likely to become lesbians themselves; and for males raised in a gay home, they are twice as likely to become gay as well (Kiley 2). Another concern for children with homosexual parents is sexual abuse from one or both of the parents, which is fifty times as likely as opposed to heterosexual parents (Kiley...
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...PHI 200 Mind and Machine Gay Marriages Constance Dolecki February 27, 2012 In today’s society, homosexual marriages are seen as right to some and wrong to others. Nearly seventy percent of people in the United States are against homosexual marriages. There is lots of stereotyping about gay relationship. Homosexuals should be able to marry as long as they are not trying to force what they choose on others who do not feel the same way. Homosexual marriage is one of the most constitutional issues facing America today. It is an issue that most directly challenges our commitment to genuine legal equality. Although people disagree about the specifics, there is a broad agreement within the American legal and academic communities that all persons shall have the same legal rights regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or religion. But, when the subject turns to gays and lesbians, many people grow more confused and hesitant (Same-Sex Marriage and the Constitution, pg. 3). Gay and lesbian couples have been challenging their exclusion from marriage laws since 1971. However, it is only since the early 1990s that gay marriage has emerged as an issue of national political interest. In 1993, the Hawaii Supreme Court launched an important and ongoing international debate when it ruled that it was impermissible gender discrimination under the state constitution to deny three lesbian and gay couples the right to obtain a marriage license. This decision stated...
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...Same Sex Marriage Paul Steven Tighe Essentials of College Writing/COMM/215 October 18, 2013 Same Sex Marriage There is a major battle over basic civil rights, which is being fought by both the conservative and liberal communities and is being fought over something as simple as allowing same sex couples the right to marry. Gay Americans must be afforded the right to marry because the majority of Americans believe they should. Moreover, allowing same sex marriage would enable them to adopt children in need of a family and receive the same benefits as other married couples. One reason to allow same sex marriage is that most Americans believe gay Americans should be allowed to do so and the approval rates keeps rising. According to a 2012 Gallup poll, 50% of participants believed that same sex marriage should be legally recognized at the same level as a traditional marriage (as cited in Madrid, 2013). This is up from 46% in 2010, according to a General Social Survey (as cited in Madrid, 2013). As times change, often so do the beliefs of society as a whole. This is clearly the truth with the acceptance of a group of people who have long been labeled as outcasts or sinners. Unlike 20 years ago, more than half of Americans embrace same sex marriage, with support among young voters running 4 to 1 (as cited in Von Drehle, 2013). In addition, according to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 1 in 7 American adults say their initial oppositions to same sex marriage has...
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...Same Sex Marriage “All men are created equal” we pride ourselves on being a society that promotes equality and equal opportunity to all. Granting to all Americans unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Did that pursuit to happiness include the right to get married? Marriage which is defined as a union between one man and one women according to the Defense of Marriage Act prevents the federal government from recognizing same sex marriage. Same sex marriage is a civil rights, political, social, moral, and religious issue that has be highly debated within the United States. The debate on same sex marriage has become a more talked about topic on whether it is a constitutional right. The due process and equal protection clause within the 14th amendment states” nor shall any state deprive any person of life liberty or property without due process of the law; nor deny to any person within it jurisdiction the equal protection of the law. Marriage being regulated by each separate state allows for unequal treatment of same sex couples that reside in those states. In some states, same sex marriage is legally recognized which gives them the same rights and benefits that a heterosexual marriage would have but only at the state level, this does not include any federal benefits or protection of spouse. In other states civil union are used where same sex marriage is not recognized. This a union that provides a homosexual couple the same state benefits, civil...
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...Same Sex Marriage Same sex marriage should be legalized due to the following reasons: Marriage is a civil affair and civil rights are given to all. Depriving same sex couples from being able to wed is taking away their civil right, the same civil right that is given to every American. The second reason being; the significant factor of separation of church and state. Religion should not have any authority over the law because the law pertains to everyone no matter their religious views. Last but not least, if same sex couples are allowed to raise a child and are seen as suitable parents providing they are responsible for another’s life then why must they be deprived of the right to wed? Same sex couples are NO different than any other couple and until society/ government sees it that way this battle will continue. The Supreme Court has declared that marriage is a civil right, civil rights are not earned they are given to all and shared equally such as the freedom of religion and speech (Gannon 3-4). Society does not question why we have these rights because all free people have them, so why should gays and lesbians be restricted from having the same civil right to wed than any other couple would. The first argument that is used in attempting to curtail the rights of same sex couple is a religious one. Those who take this tack argue that the bible says that homosexuality is a sin. Because homosexuality is a sin, we should not encourage homosexual relationship by recognizing...
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...the same sex should be able to marry. It is more difficult to explain this to the die hard believers of the idea that the sanctity of marriage should be between a man and a woman. Our country was founded around the basic freedoms that should be extended to all people no matter race, nationality, gender or sexual orientation. If we argue the matter of law, “The Supreme Court has declared that marriage is a basic civil right, older than the Constitution itself. When civil rights are at stake there is no such thing as deserving them; they are intrinsic to our very way of life” (Gannon. par 1). Since marriage is a civil right then it should be extended to all, no matter the circumstance, anything other than that is discrimination. There are many reasons that we, as Americans, can argue that marriage should only be between a man and woman; however, in doing research on this subject one would find that there are also many reasons that people should be able to marry who they love. The Bible states that homosexuality is an abomination, a sin in the eyes of God, but there are many other sins far worse. History shows that marriage is for procreation and since same sex couples cannot repopulate then there is no point in the union. “Marriage, however, is no longer (if it ever was) primarily for the conception and raising of children. It is all about the closeness and companionship of two people” (Gannon. par 6). I choose now to look for the reasons that people say same-sex marriage...
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...CHANGING VIEWS OR JUST GOING “STRAIGHT” AGAINST IT? SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN THE U.S. UNFOLDED IN THE SUMMER OF 2012. THE POLITICAL SUPPORT WAS VERY IMPORTANT. BUT DID SO MANY CHANGE THEIR VIEW OR DID THEY JUST OVERCOME THEIR FEAR? During the 1990’s in the United States there was a group of people who struggled to fit into the society and to be accepted. Homosexual men and women do not have many of the same rights as heterosexuals. One example from the past is that they were not allowed to marry their partners, only because they had the same gender. In this time it was a kind of suicide to talk positive about the right of same-sex marriage. During the last year, there has been a big discussion about the legalization of same-sex marriage. Today many things have changed. With a new president and a new generation, some American’s attitude towards marriage of homosexuals has changed in 2012. Like Joe Biden, the vice president of the United States, said to the American television: “People fear what is different. Now they have started to understand.” David Blankenhorn is one of the many people, who “have started to understand”. He has changed his view on gay marriage. David Blankenhorn is the founder and president of the institute for American Values and a noted figure in the campaign against gay marriage in the U.S. In his opinion article “How my view on same-sex marriage changed” he writes about his view on homosexual marriages and his attitude-twist. David Blankenhorn’s opinion...
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...Rachel Figueroa Lauren Grant ENC 1101 September 2012 For Better or For Worse: The Issue of Gay Marriage The legalization of same-sex marriage is a topic that has been argued in our society for several years. It is also a topic that has been opposed by many people not only because it can be hard to accept marriage between gay couples, but it can also be hard to throw away what is considered to be morals, tradition, the natural law of life and the norms of our society. As the population of homosexuals increases, so does the inequality and the discrimination. We have our society to blame for this. Our civil rights and the Constitution give us many liberties. Civil rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which those who are homosexual are not allowed to chase. If a gay couple cannot be married to the person they love, than this interferes with the pursuit of happiness which violates their freedoms. With that being said, homosexual couples should get the same civil rights as those who are heterosexual regardless of their sexual orientation. As Americans, we pride ourselves in being a democratic nation and a nation of freedom. One of the most important parts of being a democracy is that we, the people, have a say in what happens in our nation through voting, this including same-sex marriage. As of 2010, gays and lesbians can legally marry in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Washington DC, Connecticut, Iowa, and Washington state (Belge). And although this is an...
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...Same-Sex Marriage The topic that I have chosen to research and discuss is the issue of Same-Sex Marriage. This topic is very controversial and has caused a bit of an uproar recently in society. The biggest argument is whether or not individuals who are gay/lesbian should be legally allowed to marry. Many people feel strongly about this topic and, because of this, a lot of viewpoints have come into play when trying to come up with the “correct answer”. These viewpoints include, but are not limited to: religion, equality, moralism, and constitutional rights as an American citizen. Because of these different elements, there is no way to know for sure who is right or wrong, but in this paper I will inform you on both sides of the topic and let you decide for yourself. Those who oppose the union of two men or two women through marriage argue that this covenant is to only be fulfilled by a man and a woman. Why? Well, one reason is religion. In Christianity, the Bible speaks on marriage being between a husband and a wife. It also counts all acts of homosexuality as a sin and in verses such as Genesis 19:1-13, Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, Romans 1:26-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9, this can clearly be identified. Individuals who partake in this religion strongly believe in the word of God and have based their opinions of the topic solely upon on that alone. They feel that God’s word cannot and shall not be compromised by any circumstance and if it is then that...
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...Same-sex marriage is a marriage between two people of the same biological sex identity. It is also one of the most common topics, that is being discussed all over the world. Same-sex marriage is currently legal in eight different countries, and only seventeen states legalized same-sex marriage in the US. From generation to generation people have fought to legalize and ban the rights to same-sex marriage. The world teaches us that love doesn’t have a specific color or gender, but people still are not happy about it. Marriage according to the dictionary is, “any diverse forms of interpersonal union established in various parts of the world to form a familial bond that is recognized legally, religiously, or socially, granting the participating partners mutual conjugal rights and responsibilities.” I believe that marriage is about two people who loves each other unconditionally, it’s a partnership, a life-long commitment to support and be there for each other no matter what. Both participants become “one.” They share this bond with God, our Leader. Denying same sex marriage is a violation of religious freedom. Civil and religious freedom is two separate institutions. A civil ceremony is recognized as legal and valid under the law. The 14th amendment stated, “No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of the citizens.” Meaning, who are you to tell another human being who they are allowed to love, or how to live their lives. The US Constitution...
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