Same-sex Marriage Should be Legal Essay

According to DOMA, “In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States, the word 'marriage' means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word 'spouse' refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife” (sec 3). Until recently 2013, the US Supreme Court finally delivered the verdict that declared section 3 of the DOMA, which is the rejection of right to gay marriage is unconstitutional (Shapiro 208). In “Gay Marriage Is A Fundamental Right” by Nathan Goetting, “The right to many, and to marry the person of one's choice, is a fundamental right and a necessary aspect of human happiness. This has been an explicitly stated abiding principle since the Court used its power of judicial review to strike down as unconstitutional a legislature's definition of marriage in 1967.” Currently, 17 states in the United States have legalized the right to same sex marriage. The realization of DOMA is unconstitutional has further evidenced that gay marriage is one of the civil right that should not be taken away by the government, and it is an inevitable changes that open doors for equality and equity.

Religious people argue that marriage is a religious right instead of a civil one. In their eyes allowing same sex couples to marry is a sacrilege, since the US was based on god and still is to some

Over the past five years same-sex marriage has become one of the most controversial issues in the United States, many social activist strive to aid homosexuals and their fight to legalize same-sex marriage. Marriage is a fundamental right not a privilege. Gay men and women should not be discriminated against based on their sexuality. Marriage is a sacred bond between two people that love each other no matter the sex, race, or religion. Everyday homosexuals are treated unfairly; most were born gay and cannot help their feelings. Being gay in America today is very difficult, you have to hide who you are just to be accepted. All homosexual’s really want is to be treat fairly and to get all the right they deserve, like

The majority of people who oppose gay marriage are religious conservative groups and people who believe in keeping marriage a sacred thing between a man and a woman. While this may be their belief system, this country was founded on religious freedom, where the people are allowed to worship how they see fit. A ground rule, set up from the beginning, states that separation needs to be made between religion and government, so the two shall never come together to become a theocracy.

The line may be blurred when it comes to politic; many conservatives are against same sex marriage; while liberals are fighting for the right to have equal opportunity. The Christian politicians are using religious opinions to establish that homosexuality is a disgrace. While this may be their belief, this country was founded on religious freedom, meaning that people are permitted to worship how they see fit or to not worship. A ground rule, set up from the very foundation of this country that states a separation needs to be made between religion and government, so the two shall never be combined. We may all have a different opinion to what is what we think is ethical, but it might be safe to reason that we can agree that it’s unfair for people to be treated differently for being of different race, ethnicity, physical traits, and that the government should not discriminate against residents or visitors in that country because they have what would be considered an “unusual” sexual orientation. The constitution is considered to be one of the greatest manuscripts written in the history of the United States. An article of that manuscript requires each State to recognize the public acts, archives, and litigations of other States. So, as soon as one State legalizes gay marriage, like it has already happened in California since 2008, other states have to respect the unions taken place there. That means many

Gay marriage is a civil right. Civil rights protect and give equality to everybody, including gays and lesbians. When a gay marriage defender was asked about the gay marriage issue he said, "It's extremely important that we present this not as a left or a right issue but as a constitutional civil rights issue"(Fuller). Gay marriage is an issue that is decided by courts, not by public opinion. The 14th Amendment and the Civil Rights Act direct to gay marriage because they both talk about equal protection under the law. Another part of that is in the First Amendment which states that people can't use their religious beliefs against others (The Washington Post). Therefor, gay couples cannot be

However, according to the first amendment, religion should have no validity in making decisions for our nation (About the First). This is the concept of separation of church and state, according to Thomas Jefferson in his letter to Danbury Baptists in 1802 (Separation of Church). The government has always clung to this idea of protecting the individuals in the country’s right to religious freedom, considering the nation was founded on this belief (Martin). Because of this, churches and other religious establishments can turn away gay marriages if they would like to, but their opinion of the unions have no voice in government (Should Gay Marriage). Legal marriage is a bond between two people that should not be interfered by religious objections, or opinions of people who follow a certain

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?

In 1996 President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) into federal law. The purpose of DOMA was to place a federal legal definition on marriage. DOMA defined marriage in federal law as ‘only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word "spouse" refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife (1 U.S.C. 7).’ The act allowed for states to recognize or grant homosexual couples the right to marriage but prevented those same couples from receiving the federal benefits of marriage. It also amended The Full Faith and Credit Statute to include the provision that ‘No State, territory, or possession of the United States, or Indian tribe, shall be required to give effect to any public act, record, or judicial proceeding of any other State, territory, possession, or tribe respecting a relationship between persons of the same sex that is treated as a marriage under the laws of such other State, territory, possession, or tribe, or a right or claim arising from such relationship.’ This indicates that if one State passes legislation that allows same-sex couples to marry, corresponding States are not legally bound to recognize the marriage. Furthermore, since under the eyes of the federal government marriage is legally between a man and a woman the States cannot be forced or obligated

While other, non-supporters of this idea consider it anti-Christian and say it goes against God. To accept civil unions or gay-marriage between two people of the same sex would somehow diminish the value of the traditional union between a man and a woman, in their view.

Many people oppose the legalization of same-sex marriages because they are "morally" wrong. These people, however, are confusing religious aspects of marriage with legal ones. The legalities of the issue have nothing to do with what a religion specifies. A "legal" marriage is a contract established by the state government. No matter where it takes place, a marriage is not legal unless accompanied by an official marriage license. [2] A church can choose to recognize whatever unions it wants, regardless of what the government says is legal. Because of the separation of church and state, no religious body can dictate state policy; therefore, civil marriage laws lie solely to the state. The church and the state often differ in opinion over who may marry. In fact, many churches choose to recognize same-sex couples, oftentimes through ceremonial blessings. These churches have realized that all couples need both social and spiritual support to truly thrive. When these couples cannot obtain a state marriage license, the church often unites them.

Should same sex marriage be legalized in the United States? In some of our states laws have already been passed to allow same sex couples the freedom to get married, while other states are still resisting for one reason or another. As with everything else there is more than one side, more than one argument supporting and more than one argument resisting the changes being proposed. There are religious reasons, moral reasons, constitutional reasons and financial reasons being used by both sides and the debate seems to get nowhere. For every argument for the issue there is always an argument against it. I have my own opinion about the issue, however I will look at the arguments themselves on each side to identify which side has

In addition, marriage is a religious rite. “Gay marriage is not compatible with the beliefs, sacred texts, and traditions of many religious groups” (ProCon.org, 2011, Con Gay Marriage, ¶4). In fact, we know that most of the religions are opposing same-sex marriage, because they are always guided by the Bible and God’s commandments and his teachings. “Marriage was established by the Creator with its own nature, essential properties and purpose. No ideology can erase from the human spirit the certainty that marriage exists solely between a man and a woman” (ProCon.org, 2011, Con Gay Marriage, ¶12). If same-sex is legalized, churches and other religious institutions would be forced to change their rules in order to marry same-sex marriage couples.

Allowing same-sex marriages would change the basic definition of marriage. Marriage is an important commitment of a man and a woman who contribute to civilization. Therefore, the loss of contributions due to someone’s sexual orientation should not be rewarded with a privilege such as marriage. Same-sex marriages affect many factors such as children, the concept of marriage, and humanity. However, it is not a misdemeanor to love somebody of the same gender but it can rigorously damage many aspects of life.

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