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Arguments for Legalizing Gay Marriages Essays

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Homosexual Marriage Since 1971 when the first same sex couple Richard John Baker and James Michael McConnell applied for a marriage license and were denied in the Baker vs. Nelson ruling, America has been forced to debate whether homosexuals should be allowed to be married even though they are not the classical definition of a couple. There are many opinions about this subject from government officials, religious leaders and even the president of the United States. Homosexuals should be allowed to be married because they need to be treated fairly and equally. Homosexuals have been denied the right to be married because many people feel, "The union of a man and woman is the most enduring human institution, honored and encouraged in …show more content…

Additionally, being married is not only a social commitment to each other, but it also comes with 1,138 benefits that a civil union does not offer. Benefits such as: Social Security programs, employment benefits, federal, military, civilian benefits, medical health and illness benefits, estate and taxation benefits, trade, commerce and intellectual rights, and various other legal benefits. As these rights and benefits are denied to homosexual couples, many people insist that a constitutional violation exists. The Bill of Rights states "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." Clearly, our first documents were written to leave room for changes in society, so that everyone remained equal and were granted basic human rights. Gay activists have The Bill Of Rights to back up their argument, while anti-gay activists have the DOMA to support their argument. DOMA was only initiated after homosexuals insisted on the right to marry. Opposers think that legalizing homosexual marriages will not be the end of the line; they perceive that homosexual marriages will ruin the sacred sanctuary of marriage. They question what social repercussions legalizing gay marriage will cause. Concerns are: Gay people adopting children and what kind of life would it be for the children, what will be the next social tradition will be demolished if homosexual marriages are legalized

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