The Debate Over Same Sex Marriage

On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that the US Constitution guarantees the right for same-sex couples to marry. Many conservative groups do NOT agree with this decision. The gay marriage debate has been simmering for as long as I can remember. The four articles I have selected give information from four different perspectives including that of liberals, conservatives, homosexuals, and orthodox Jews. With so many differing opinions, one can understand why it's been so hard for the nation to come to agree on this issue.

In the summer of 2015 the U.S supreme court ruled in favor to legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 countries in the United States. This all occurred because of the Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) case. This very important case involved “14 same-sex couples and two men whose same-sex partners are deceased” and the couples argued that the “state officials violated [their] 14th amendment by denying them the right to marry or to have marriages lawfully performed in another state given full recognition and also violated their equal protection Clause. The supreme court ruled for this case because in the 14th Amendment it clearly declares that all people should have “equal protection under the law”, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Chief Justice Roberts made a principal dissent, claiming that in just one day, the court has transformed the societal institution of marriage that has banded humanity together for millennia. Roberts made clear that no consensus is worth a decision he feels completely overstepped the Supreme Court’s constitutional bonds, stating “Celebrate the opportunity for a new expression of commitment to a partner…but do not celebrate the constitution”. Roberts repeatedly insists that history and tradition must be drawn on to come to a conclusion, and judges ought not to rely on his or her own moral judgement concerning the morality of whether denying the fundamental rights would be unjust in light of the constitution. Although Roberts’ does agree that same-sex couples who have previously challenged state laws excluding them from marriage “make strong arguments rooted in social policy and considerations of fairness” , he ultimately believes that the Constitution cannot decide what is fair and what is just.

The Obergefell V. Hodeges case and some other cases are related and it is important to give a brief history. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision in United States v. Windsor, that is was unconstitutional for the Defense of Marriage Act to define marriage as being solely between a man and a woman. In turn, this decision ruled same-sex to be constitutional. As one can predict with such a controversial issue as gay marriage, the push back against this decision from various states was immense. States all across the country showed just how opposed they were to the Supreme Courts decision when their state governments chose to ban same-sex marriage regardless of the decision,

The Supreme Court has declared that same-sex couples have been allowed to marry the person they love in all 50 states. Justice Anthony together with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan, and Sonia Sotomayor agree with the same sex marriage. But the decision, however, was not unanimous due to the non agreement of Chief Justice John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Anthonin Scalia with the implementation of same-sex marriage.

A metamorphosis in how the American judicial system perceives same-sex marriage, has developed over the past forty years. In October, 1971, the Supreme Court ruled that: "The institution of marriage as a union of man and woman, uniquely involving the procreation and rearing of children within a family, is as old as the book of Genesis.”

The global divide of same-sex marriage remains a controversial and convoluted topic across North America. The civil rights of human beings were put into question against the underlying discriminatory issue of homosexuality within the state in the New York Washington post article, “As Rulings Are Announced, Cheers and Tears Among Waiting Crowd”. Wednesday June 26th, 2013 at 10:00am marked the official ruling that the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage as a union between man and woman, was unconstitutional. History was made as gay spouses were given the legal right to social security benefits such as, shared health cares plans without tax penalties and gay foreigners married to Americans were given access to

Same sex or gay marriage is a topic that is always in the news these days. Well, a recent Supreme Court case's decision was to legalize this type of marriage here in the US. This essay will give a brief history of same sex marriages, summarize the legal reasoning of both the majority and dissent in the Supreme Court Decision and even evaluate how the media interpreted the decision.

On Apr. 28, 2015, the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Obergefell v. Hodges on if gay marriage is a right given by the U.S. Constitution or the gay marriages that have been legalized in the states must be recognized in states that have banned gay marriage. Now that everything has been talk

One of the most controversial topics that has been debated throughout the United States for decades has been Gay Marriage. Whether same-sex couples should be given the right to marry or even if same-sex couples should be given rights at all, this has been a contentious discussion which creates division and disunity throughout the country. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage. Gay marriage has been legalized in 17 states. But only 19 of 194 countries allow for gay marriage. Statistics show more than half the country supports Gay Marriage and the right for same-sex couples to be treated equal through the everyday endeavors every other couple go through. Gay Marriage should

In June of 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same sex couples. This landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges was met with much resistance. The majority of Americans voted for the constitutional amendment, which is a ban on gay marriage. Some of these Americans, ironically believe in providing equal rights to the gay community. These rights including no

Same-Sex couples have had a long battle in obtaining the right to marry. Some battles fought ended in victory, others in defeat. In the end, same-sex couples would win a major victory that would end the fight forever. This paper will review some of the battles that led to the Supreme Court decision that gave same-Sex couples the same legal rights to marry as opposite-sex couples and

Same-sex relationships date back to Greek and Roman times. They have existed in society for hundreds of years. It was during a culture shift during the Christian revolution that society began to condemn the practice. Our current society is realizing same-sex relationships do exist and have done so regardless of law allowing them to outwardly celebrate their unions. Gay couples have remained secluded in society and covered their living arrangements under feeble explanations and lies. Hiding true feelings and living a lie is destructive to a person’s well-being and happiness. Recently the United States took steps to legalize and recognize unions of all types whether they are of opposite-sex or same-sex. Our country stands for equality and freedom so this is only right that our country take this step along with many others around the globe.

Two months after this legislation was passed, and then quickly amended to be worded in such a way that it wouldn’t sound discriminatory, the Supreme Court has found same sex marriage to be a civil right. Supreme Justice Anthony Kennedy spoke for his fellow conservative Supreme Court Justices, "Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization 's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right." (de Vogue and Diamond.) Despite how increasingly common it is for churches to be supportive of the LGBT movement, there are still many churches that refuse to marry same sex couples. There are still corporations that discriminate against their employees. In 28 states it’s still perfectly legal to discriminate a person based on their orientation. (Calfas.) Too often in this nation turns a blind eye to the

In the summer of 2015 the U.S supreme court ruled in favor to legalize same-sex marriage in all the fifty states .This was a huge change in the world and this difference was made because of popular case which is called the Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). This very important case involved “14 same-sex couples and two men whose same-sex partners are deceased” in this case the couples argued that the “state officials violated [their] 14th amendment by denying them the right to marry or to have marriages lawfully performed in another state given full recognition and also violated their equal protection Clause.” The supreme court ruled in favor for this case because in the 14th Amendment it clearly declares that all people should have “equal protection under the law”, regardless of race, ethnicity, or sexuality.(source 2, pg.1)