Should Same Sex Marriage Be Legal? Over the past decade, the acceptance of homosexuality has grown, causing many differences in the society and government. Prohibiting the acknowledgement of a union between same sex couples affect not only their happiness, but also benefits that include insurance, social security, etc. Even though I consider myself a Christian and have never had a physical relationship with someone of the same sex, I do believe that same sex couples should have the right to marry whomever they wish. I feel that marriage is a personal decision and that affects only the two people involved and therefore, should not be prohibited by discriminatory legislation that limits their freedoms strictly because of their sexual orientation. Many have come out in support of same sex marriage including homosexuals as well as heterosexuals. Many believe they are entitled to the same rights that are extended to opposite sex couples and I count myself among them. Many people view marriage as a union between a man and a woman simply because that is how it has been defined throughout history. Up until recently, people weren't open about being gay and even went as far as entering marriage with the opposite sex to dispel suspicion regarding their sexual orientation. It seems that people are more concerned about image than about the right for someone to be happy with the person they want to spend their life with. It doesn't make sense that someone would rather be miserable than reveal who they truly are, but it happens more than people realize. A benefit homosexuals would have by being able to marry is the same as heterosexuals by being able to get benefits from work for their significant other. When thinking about it, it is easy to see that it is not right that a married couple is allowed to get all these spousal benefits simply because their union is recognized. It does not seem fair that just because someone is homosexual that they are denied being allowed to have their partners benefits because of someone's discriminatory views on their lifestyle. A couple that is together through good and bad should be able to have that financial support should they need it . Homosexual couples rely on each other emotionally, financially, and physically just as a same sex couple does. The fact that they are considered "abnormal" by some seem to be their motivating factor in denying them the same rights afforded to same sex couples. Many people view marriage as uniting a man and a woman together because that is the only way that marriage has been viewed in the past. Just a few decades ago people were not open about being gay and there was a lot of stereotyping regarding their lifestyle. People who are homosexual are thought to be promiscuous and unable to form long term relationships, which is simply not the case. As it has been more accepted we have come to realize that gay relationships are exactly like that of relationships with opposite sex, both homosexual and heterosexual face the same joys and challenges. Both homosexual and heterosexual relationships both have their promiscuous relationships as well as ones that last a lifetime. Many homosexual couples have actually started families by adoption or in many cases, females have in vitro fertilization done. As a country we have grown a lot in the last century as far as civil rights and making sure that everyone is treated equally. One of the primary reasons so many Americans are against same sex marriages is because it conflicts with their religion and/or their beliefs. This arguments seems to be the driving force behind many who find it objectionable. It is written in the Bible that it is a sin to have relations with someone of the same sex in certain Old Testament verses and that if God would of
on May 17, 2004, after becoming the first same-sex couple in the U.S. to complete a state-sanctioned marriage application, they probably hoped their union would open the floodgates for gay couples across the country. But instead, it became a high-water mark for same-sex marriage as the acrimonious debate over the issue raged on--a moment equaled only by a California Supreme Court's ruling in mid-May overturning the state's ban on gay marriage.” Marriage is the formal union of man and woman, typically…
for equal protection for all from the federal government. Marriage is included as an equal protection and right. Prior cases have decided that the government does not have the legal right to decide who a person should marry, but when looking at the sex of that person the government has stepped in and taken a strong stance against same-sex marriages. Thus proposing very controversial issues in today’s society. By not allowing same-sex marriages is the government stripping ones right to marry under the…
Same-sex Marriage Should the Supreme Court revoke California’s prop 8? This is the ongoing debate our generation will have to address. California has been in the epicenters of this debate; as we witnessed voters oppose gay marriage in the elections of 2008. In 2008, California’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of a right to same-sex marriage. Months after the ruling, a majority of the electorate overturned that decision in a statewide ballot initiative. In Justice, Sandel shares his opinion on…
Same-Sex Marriage: Fairness versus Immorality William Lumbra SOC 120 Professor Dibello July 23, 2012 Same-Sex Marriage: Fairness versus Immorality The debate on whether to allow same-sex marriage along with recognizing the union of two individuals on par with traditional marriage is one which will continue. This is not only a debate about equal rights, but for the majority of the arguments, it’s about if it is morally correct to allow two people of the same sex to marry…
Angel Morris Professor Roddey English 205 10 April 2013 Same Sex Marriage Debate Same-sex marriage (also known as gay marriage) is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex and/or gender identity. Legal recognition of same-sex marriage is sometimes referred to as marriage equality or equal marriage, particularly by supporters. The argument that gay marriage raises divorce rates is not panning out. In fact, research from the newest census, along with studies from the…
Same-Sex Marriage in Texas As the years go by, many states from the United States of America are legalizing same-sex marriage. Texas is back in the dust by still not allowing same-sex couples the ability to get married. I cannot think of many reasons as to why marriage is not open for every kind of two people who love each other, should be illegal. The representatives of Texas are stubborn with their old fashioned ways; therefore, sadly same-sex marriage will not be legal in any time soon in…
other it should not matter if they are two men or two women, love is love and should be recognized as love. Marriage is not the same as it used to be and it is both legitimate and necessary, in lieu of the changes in mankind, to examine if marriage, which existed unchanged for thousands of years, means the same thing these days. I firmly believe Homosexuals should be able to marry. Denying same-sex couples the right to marry stigmatizes gay and lesbian families as inferior and sends the message that…
Same-Sex Marriage: The Problems with DOMA and the Pursuit for Equality Believe it or not, same-sex marriage has been around since ancient times. At least two Roman Emperors, Nero and Elagabalus, were in gay unions. It wasn’t until the advent of Christianity that the practice of same sex marriage was out-lawed by the emperors Constantius II and Constans in 342 AD and has continued to be through-out most of the world until the twenty-first century (Boswell 83). With the advent of gay rights movement…
“Natural Rights: The Defense of Same-sex Marriage” As an ever evolving society, all levels of government are obligated to constantly review and revise policies and laws that may be deemed unconstitutional and therefore have no place in today’s culture. The Civil Rights Movement opened the doors for African Americans and women alike to be viewed as equals and to be protected under the constitution. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the foundation for equal rights and helped move our nation…
Maggie Mohr Mohr 1 November 2, 2012 Period: 4B Ms. McArdle Gay Marriage As of September 12, 2012, 11 out of 194 countries allow same - sex marriage and 41 states that have banned same – sex marriage. Homosexuals are no different from heterosexuals in my mind; people are people. Some scientists think that people become gay because of a gene. People are people and should all have the same rights and be able to get married. There is a law that says there needs to be a separation between…