According to the Human Rights Campaign, the 2000 Census reported 3.1 million people in the United States of America were living in same sex relationships. These citizens reside in 99.3 percent of the counties across the nation and it is estimated that between 1 and 9 million children are being raised by gay, bisexual or lesbian parents (Human Rights Campaign). These individuals are American citizens protected by the United States Constitution. Article 14.1 of the United States Constitution entitles all citizens equal protection under the law and forbids states from enacting laws which deny citizens’ rights. Denying same-sex couples the right to marry, denies them equal protection under the law. Therefore, same-sex marriage should be …show more content…
Heterosexual marriages that are performed in the United States are recognized by every state in the nation and other countries as well. Within the United States, the only states who currently issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples are Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont and beginning in 2010, New Hampshire. In addition, 40 states have either a constitutional amendment or state law, which prohibits same-sex marriage. The remaining states provide for domestic partnerships or civil unions. (Civil Unions are granted to same-sex couples, and have no protection that their union will be recognized in any state outside the state they live in.) Same-sex unions are not “separate but equal” because in marriage the state grants marriage licenses, and does not require religious officials to perform a marriage. However, in civil unions the state gives the couple a civil union license that is only recognized in that particular state. Civil unions are not recognized by the federal government and religious officials are still not required to perform them. Civil unions as they currently exist do not allow the same rights as marriage. Same-sex couples, who are granted a civil union, are denied over 1,100 federal benefits. Only heterosexual marriage is recognized by the federal government. In addition, children whose parents are in a same-sex relationship are denied many safeguards and protections that are normally given to a
benefits of marriage. However, they argue that a gay partnership should not have the designation
Marriage is universally understood to be the legal union between a man and a woman. This acknowledgement, however, has recently generated dispute and controversy in certain individuals, primarily homosexuals and supporters of homosexual marriages. This opposition, due to this mainstream view, exists because certain states such as Minnesota deny same-sex marriages.
Same-sex couples should have access to the same marriage benefits as heterosexual couples. Prohibiting same-sex marriage is unconstitutional discrimination.
As The President Obama said ‘same sex couples can be married now!! In 2013 the Supreme Court said, marriage as a union of man and woman and also declared that the federal government would recognize same sex marriage. In an estimation of 1.6 million youth in America, 20 to 40% are LGBT. As of 2014 July 19 states in America legalized same sex marriage including in the District of Columbia. After the Supreme Court struck down Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA), the federal government recognizes all same sex programs, benefits and laws
The fact that they cannot have such a union is an outright transgression against the 14th Amendment. There are also legal, medical, and financial disadvantages to the current system of civil unions. Plus, if the rest of the world accepts same-sex marriage, the United States absolutely must do the same thing in order to remain “The Land of the Free.” How can we overcome this obstacle on the road to equality? Through your vote. Only with the exercise of the democratic right to vote by the citizens of this great country can this be done. It is your duty to fight for acceptance and for equality, regardless of sexual
To understand civil unions, people must understand the history, benefits, laws and relevance of a civil union. Civil unions are relatively still a new concept in the United States that is slowly becoming an irrelevant notion. Commonly same sex partners are the ones who would use a civil union. Due to the changing laws to marriage the need for a civil union is becoming unnecessary. There are many benefits to civil unions but one that stand out is the dissolution of a civil union. The dissolution of a civil union can be easier than a divorce, or just as difficult as a divorce. The benefits for a civil union pales in the comparison to the benefits of marriage. Civil unions may vary from state to state the most important thing about a civil unions they are only recognized in the states in which the partners are registered in. Standard heterosexual nuptials are not only recognized federally they are also recognized internationally. Homosexual marriages are very similar to civil unions which are only recognized in select states, are federally recognized, international recognition depends on the country especially if homosexuality is illegal such as Russia. Although the history of civil unions have a history that goes as back as far about 600 years as describe by Allan Tulchin’s Journal (Tulchin). As for the United States In 1982, the Village Voice newspaper provide its employees in a civil
Those that are oppose same sex marriage focus their reasoning on religious beliefs. Same sex couples do not want to be treated as second class citizens, they do not focus on what religion states; they just want to be treated as equal as heterosexuals when it comes to their right. Same sex couples believe if one is to bar any class of people from marrying whomever they choose, it then deprives them of their social institution; that many feel defines the most meaningful part of life, to marry someone one loves. Same sex couples believe that their relationships are no different than that of a heterosexual marriage. Same sex couples can have maintain a home together, provide an environment that children can thrive in and care for each other the same as heterosexual married couples do (Goldberg-Hiller, 2002).
take a stance on homosexuality, these individuals do have certain liberties, just as all persons have liberties unless a legitimate state interest can be found to say otherwise. The Court’s broad sense of “liberty” has opened the door for the inclusion of same-sex marriage to be included in one’s personal liberties. The denials of the benefits that come with marriage have other impacts in the life of the person as they may face tougher medical, economical and familial situations. Having the right to visit an ailing partner in the hospital, buying property and filing taxes together, and decisions to raise children and have legal equal access over those children are just some of the burdens that unmarried same-sex couples face. The only time a liberty is allowed to be taken away from an individual is if there exists a legitimate state interest. There is no rational state interest in same-sex marriage. The protection of family values would
Same-sex couples should have access to the same benefits, rights and protections available to heterosexual married couples. In addition, recognizing same sex married couples, for
Same-sex marriage and straight marriage do not have the same rights. Same-sex couples are denied equal access to civil marriage. If same-sex couples enter a civil union they are denied equal access to all the benefits, rights, and privileges provided federal law to married couples. Being denied to all these rights they should have may harm people who also experienced discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, gender, and religion. The APA (American Psychological Association) believes it is unfair to discriminate and deny same-sex couples legal access to civil marriage and all of the benefits, rights and privileges. (Wikipedia)
If they are denied these rights due to the fact they are not married, they can never get the chance to receive these advantages since they cannot wed. No matter how this is looked at, it is not right in any way at all. Especially if the two people in the same-sex relationship have been together for a long time, they should be able to receive these rights as well as heterosexual married couples. However, people may argue that there are other ways for same-sex couples to be legally tied together. This would be by going through a civil union. This is true but, a civil union is hardly the same as a wedding, “comparing marriage to civil unions is a bit like comparing diamonds to rhinestones” (91). Couples who do a civil union have to do it in Vermont and stay there. There is also no guarantee that protections will go where the couple travels to (90). With that being said, even though there is a way for them to get “legally” tied together, it is not the same. They still do not have the freedom they want or the choice to go where they want to have a civil union. Civil unions are great temporarily or as another option but, all in all it does not replace an actual marriage. Gay marriages should be allowed to those that wish for one.
Therefore, same-sex marriage is totally the opposite of the traditional institution of marriage; those are two things that cannot have the same rights, and actually God made us to be heterosexual no homosexual.
There can be no question about the definition of marriage. There is considerable evidence form history, the origins of the word, and even its current legal use. Yet, somehow there is still tension and confusion surrounding the issue of same-sex marriage. As the debate intensifies, emotional ones quickly replace rational thoughts. Lately, homosexuals carry out most of the fight for the right to be married. Of course, there are several other situations, in which people attempt to challenge traditional matrimony. There was the man who tried to marry his horse. Mormons still practice polygamy, but just as these scenarios do not fit the definition of marriage, neither does same-sex marriage. Civil unions were created by certain states to
On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that the US Constitution guarantees the right for same-sex couples to marry. Should gay marriages be legal? Why should our nation accommodate such a dreadful Supreme Court ruling? Gay couples have become a major problem for our children. Children only repeat what they hear, see, and other habits from their role models. Our children are the ones who are being subjected to these horrifying situations.
The same-sex marriage issue has ignited worldwide. Joseph Chamie- the previous director- and Barry Mirkin-the previous Population Policy Section Chief- of the UN’s Population Division aim to present up-to-date statistics and information on the same-sex marriage debate in “Same-Sex Marriage: A New Social Phenomenon.” They mention that same-sex marriage is a “recent phenomenon” that will possibly stick around for years in many countries because societal, religious, and legislative controversies continually revamp its debate (544). The issue is labeled “recent” because “…SSM [same-sex marriage] did not exist until the twenty-first century when an increasing number of countries began permitting same-sex