Essay Expanding Marriage to Same-Sex Couples

In a very real sense, it is reasonable to argue that the government should have no say at all in the processes of marriage, or decide which adults may or may not legally marry. State and federal governments play a role, of course, in that marriage is a civil union, and provides benefits and legal protections for the couple. Historically, marriage serves the interests of the society by promoting stability and future generations of citizens, and governments usually act in ways to promote this very vital element. At the same time, it is highly questionable whether this governmental authority should have any voice in who chooses to marry, provided those involved are adults and wish to do so. This is in fact, at the heart of the same-sex

“The freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rights

Homosexual marriage is one of the old but controversial issues around the world. Compared to the past, it seems to become a more open debate among people. At the same time, people seem to be more swayable than before, but towards the gay marriage, different voices have still been hovering in the air. Gay people and their supporters have been striving for their rights to get married legally, while others who against gay marriage have never stopped deterring it.

There are over 105 million households in the United States today and out of those households, there are over 1.2 million gay people living with same-sex partners (“Census on Gays in America”). This makes the proposed legalization of same-sex marriage one of the most significant issues in contemporary America. It is presently one of the most discussed reforms in law reviews and the American court systems. If legalized, it could be one of the most revolutionary policy decisions in the history of America, along with women’s rights, interracial marriage, and slavery. There are many people who are opposed and feel it is morally and ethically wrong and others who feel that same-sex marriages are acceptable. Prior to

United States is a country where every citizen has an equal right to be free and everyone is treated equal without looking at the race, gender, or the class of a citizen. Even though we live in a free country where everyone has equal rights, there is still a debate going on whether same-sex marriage should be allowed. Gay marriage has been an issue in the United States since the early 1970s. In the 1970 case of Baker v. Nelson, two men named Richard Baker and James McConnell were denied a marriage license by the Hennepin County District Court's clerk in Minnesota. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the case in favor of the county clerk saying that the clerk has the right to decline a marriage license to gay couples. Gay marriage became an issue in California when Proposition 8 was passed in the November 2008 elections. Proposition eight stated that "only marriage

First I would like to address the fact that marriage today has really changed in America. It’s changed a lot when compared to just 60 years ago or so. Gender roles at home are more flexible. Gay marriage is legal and becoming socially acceptable. And in my opinion, after looking at todays divorce rates (especially in Oklahoma) I think people don’t take their vows near as serious as people did in the past.

Just about everyone has an opinion on legally allowing same-sex couples to marry. The arguments range from personal beliefs to what marriage is said to be in the Bible. Why should a couple be forbidden from showing each other along with family and friends that they are fully committed to each other? What place is it for the government to say that said couple is not allowed to commit to the one who truly makes you happy? Why should these people who are willing to be together for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer not get the respect, consideration, and benefits that any opposite sex couple are granted?

Is America truly free? There are many different feelings and arguments that have been made about marriage of the same sex. America is supposed to be a free country; gay people should have the same rights as straight. There will be less violence about same-sex marriage. Gay marriage should be legalized in all states. According to the Census Bureau there are around 646,464 same sex households in the United States (Stark). George Clooney stated “At some point in our lifetime, gay marriage won't be an issue, and everyone who stood against this civil right will look as outdated as George Wallace standing on the school steps keeping James Hood from entering the University of Alabama because he was black” (Gonzalez). There are hundreds of petitions

She agrees with Duncan that the state’s interest in marriage revolves around trying to protect the image of “the family” and reinstate the heterosexual, nuclear family. The government manages to intervene and influence a person’s choice in who they should marry by giving “benefits to heterosexual marriage: retirement and death benefits, family leave policies, health care decision making and access, taxation, immigration, and numerous others” (Heath 31). The government offers several benefits as a way to persuade people into heterosexual marriages because health care for instance, is important and useful, as medicine and medical attention are things that every person needs. Consequently, the government cleverly promotes heterosexuality by rewarding those who participate in the traditional marriage. Moreover, Mary Bernstein’s article, “The marriage contract” adds to Heath’s ideas by claiming that the state “continues to promote the heterosexual nuclear family as the norm” and is “pouring billions of dollars into promoting marriage as a way to

Gay marriage is a very talked about topic in are country that shouldn’t be ignored. I believe men and women should be able to love freely and not be shamed by it. Marriage is a great factor in the United States. To some people it’s what we live for; is to get married and start a family. To not give everyone the same opportunity to have a happy marriage and family is unlike us. This problem is bringing a lot of hate, the same hate that was used in racial discrimination so why not give gays equal rights like everyone else. Andrew Sullivan wrote a article that shares his experiences of coming out and being accepted. When puberty hit he started to realize he wasn’t the same. He knew that his marriage is not going to be the same as his

People want to get married, not only for the legal benefits offered by marriage, but also because they want to be viewed as couple in a serious, long-term relationship. Because in most states same-sex couples are not allowed to marry, it reinforces the view that same-sex relationships cannot be as sincere as straight relationships. It denies same-sex couples of the ability to be seen by society as being in a serious relationship. Wedgwood argues, “It is the public recognition of the status of “married” that constitutes the most important benefit of marriage, and what is most crucially abridged when the State discriminates against gay couples who want to marry.” (7)

The debate over whether same-sex marriage should be legalized has raged on furiously over the past several years in both the United States and Britain. Opponents of same-sex marriage fear what consequences the redefining of marriage may bring while gay rights lobbyists deny that the meaning of marriage is being threatened. What is really at the heart of this debate, however, is personal liberty. Marriage needs to be redefined to include all genders and the inherent rights that marriage entails. Marriage, thus, is the state of being united with another person, regardless of gender, in a consensual and contractual relationship that is recognized by law.

Marriage has been an important institution throughout the centuries. In the United States, most adults are married and live with their spouses. (Marriage. (2010) Credoreference.com) It is common knowledge, however, that the number of “traditional” marriages have declined in the last century and same sex marriages have increased over the last few decades.

Same sex marriage is a topic today that brings strong moral objections from both sides. Should same sex marriage be allowed? I intend to analyze three different aspects relevant to this very controversial subject matter: Marriage as it exists as a religious institution, marriage as a contractual agreement, and finally, why I believe “marriage” should be allowed for everyone, straight, gay or otherwise. I strongly believe that to disallow same sex marriage simply as a registered, contractual partnership denies citizens American civil liberties, and should not be allowed.

The issue of gay marriage has been stirring controversy among the nation for some years. Previously considered a taboo subject and only discussed within the gay community, the issue of gay marriage has made it to the forefront of national headlines. Many states are currently allowing the issue to be decided on by the voters. However, the gay community still faces some obstacles in their fight for equality. While the issue of gay marriages is gaining more acceptances, homosexual couples who choose to marry still face issues unlike those of interracial couples in the past.