The Fight For Equal Rights For Same Sex Marriages Across The United States

The controversy between marriage equality and the exercise of religious freedom is a confliction between nondiscrimination laws and religious freedom laws. Religious freedom seemed to be an important aspect of an American citizen, after all it is the very first amendment to the constitution. With each American citizen being granted equality by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discrimination made against an individual based on his/her sexual preference may seem to violate this act. In history, religious organizations typically been immune from state and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, with the cases of Obergefell v. Hodges and Kim Davis this stance is challenged.

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

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.

Although many may simply think of the 2015 Supreme Court case of Obergefell v. Hodges when they think of what created marriage equality, the history is far more complex. The divisive struggle for the fundamental right to marry is full of many changes and continuities over time. Moreover, many of the strategies implemented largely parallel those of the African American civil rights movement. Both marked hard fought struggles for basic rights afforded others but excluded from minority groups, simply because of their sexual orientation or the color of their skin.

American nationalism can be described in the foundational terms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; however, these fundamental ideas are impacted across every state when equal rights intersect with the complex issue of marriage rights. Thomas Jefferson once said, “I never will, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others” (Jefferson, 1900). When approaching the various stances on marriage, civil unions, and equal rights in regards to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community it is fundamentally important to follow Jefferson’s cue and approach the varied perspectives with an open mind. With the average person’s opinion on marriage

Based on a 2015 poll, 39% of Americans are against the idea of gay marriage (Changing Attitudes). However, this opinion fails to take into account that the United States characterizes itself with the phrase “Liberty and Justice for all.” Where is the liberty and justice for same-sex couples? Gay marriage is not something that Americans can dismiss without taking into consideration the economical boost that takes place because of it, the freedom of religion the United States promises and the rights that come along with it, and more importantly, the human beings who are affected that deserve liberty and equality just like the rest of the nation

For many people in the United States gay marriage is a sin to their religion and will not be tolerated. For others It is a right to be able to marry whoever you love and is considered discriminatory if you do not accept it. To start off, legal gay marriage started in The Netherlands on April 1, 2001 with a Female and three males two of the males were legally getting married while the other two (one female and one male) were previously married legally.Second, Legal gay marriage in the United States first happened on May 17, 2004. But this doesn't mean gay marriage was legal all over the United states. Oral discussion over this topic happened on April 28, 2015. On June 26,2015 it was finalized that gay marriage is a right protected. Though, there

Should this nation have the right to deny a citizen equality? Overall, the answer should be no. Surprisingly enough, the majority of our nation says there should not be marriage equality because it is unethical. The topic of marriage equality has been around for almost fifty years and it does not seem to be going away anytime soon as it is still a very prominent discussion in our society. The very first time a couple of the same sex applied for a marriage license was in December of 1970. The couples’ names were Richard John 'Jack' Baker and James Michael McConnell. They were denied marriage whenever they came forward to be married. As a result, they tried to sue the County District clerk, however the supreme court sided by the clerk (Gay Marriage Timeline History of the Same-Sex Marriage Debate). Less than three years later Maryland became the first state to officially make same sex marriage illegal and many other states soon followed in their footsteps. What made them prohibit same sex in the first place and did they have a valid reason in doing so?

Same sex marriage has been widely looked down upon for ages. People say, “It’s not the traditional constitutional marriage”, or “Children need a mother and a father”. It honestly doesn’t matter. If two people love each other, they should be allowed to marry. It’s just as simple as that. What other reason do you need? If two complete strangers of the same sex want to be together for the rest of their lives, we should let them.First, denying some people to marry is discriminatory. Judge Sarah Zabel of Miami-Dade Circuit Court ruled the gay marriage ban of Florida unconstitutional. She stated that it, “serves only to hurt, to discriminate, to deprive same-sex couples and their families of equal dignity, to label and treat them as 2nd class citizens, and to deem them unworthy of participation in one of the fundamental institutions of our society.” In other words, you’re looking down upon same sex couples that want to get married as if they’re lower than you; that they don’t deserve the same rights as us. Same sex couples would be able to enjoy the same benefits as heterosexual couples if they were able to be married.Furthermore, the General Accounting Office made an assessment in 2004 about the benefits that heterosexual married couples have that same sex couples could not. Some of these benefits include hospital visitation during an illness and the option of filing a joint tax return to reduce a tax burden. Imagine not being able to see your significant other in the hospital

The fight for equal marriage rights has been one of great length. Although this topic only brought to attention of the Supreme Court in 2015, gay marriage has long been a topic of interest in American society. Prior to 2015, gay marriage was only acknowledged and legal in select states, not nationwide. This caused great distress and heartache. One case in particular, the case that was brought to the supreme court, is very representative of such dejection. The subjects of such case are James Obergefell and John Arthur of Ohio. In 2013, the two were legally married in Maryland. Shortly after, however, Mr. Arthur grew terminally ill, and eventually passed away. Due to Ohio state laws, the state refused to put “married” on Mr. Arthur’s death

Equality is a prominent topic of debate. Although the gay and lesbian community has progressed, the fight for equality remains. Recognition and legalization of same-sex marriage still falls within the minority rule amongst the states, but will soon be the majority. California , Delaware , Connecticut , Hawaii , Illinois , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts , Minnesota , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New Mexico , New York , Rhode Island , Vermont , Washington , Iowa , and Washington D.C. are marriage equality states. Colorado , Oregon , Nevada , and Wisconsin laws allow gay and lesbian couples to enter into a domestic partnership or civil union. I hope that other states, particularly states in the South, will follow suit in

How do most couples show the world that they are in a loving, devoted, committed relationship? How does one express that they want to spend the rest of their life with one particular person? This is normally done through a marriage, celebrated by a wedding, certified by a marriage license. Homosexuals are human; therefore they are capable of loving another person just as any heterosexual human. Yet, homosexuals are unable to obtain a marriage license. This needs to be changed.

As of today, the world is constantly becoming more modern. Social issues of the past are nothing like they are now. Controversies, like equal rights for gays and lesbians, are being debated and resolved as the world advances. Now that gays and lesbians have the same civil rights as a straight man or woman, many states are wondering if homosexuals should be afforded the right to marry the same gender. Same sex marriage is becoming an important topic in America which holds a great deal of attention; while many people and organizations encourage and uphold the right to a same sex wedding, there are still those who refuse to stand behind it.

Same-sex Marriage is a question that comes across my path on a consistent basis. The agency where I work advocates this practice, which requires yearly training videos to ensure everyone understands the rules of the practice. Although our society bends the laws to support this practice, I will argue that government laws do not hold true to God’s law or even the law of nature. Additionally, I will argue that marriage, by natural law, is designed for procreating purposes.

Sam Schulman’s “The Worst Thing About Gay Marriage” presents an interesting argument against gay marriage that hinges upon maintaining a traditional form of marriage. He actually claims that gay marriage is “unnecessary”(381). According to Schulman, there are 4 primary effects of marriage within his definition he calls the kinship system. First, marriage protects and controls a woman’s sexuality. Second, the possible pairings are limited by the kinship system to avoid incest or other taboos. Third, marriage creates a situation where licit sex can occur. Fourth, it places a clear divide between childhood innocence and adult, married, life. All of which is in addition to maintaining a standard family hierarchy, in which a marriage almost