The Political Causes of the Gay Marriage Culture Change
On June 26, 2015, Obergefell v. Hodges was decided, and same-sex marriage would be legalized throughout the United States. President Barack Obama promptly called the plaintiff, Jim Obergefell, to congratulate him and his partner on their legal victory:
We're really proud of you. Just know that, you know, not only have you been a great example for people, but you're also going to bring about a lasting change in this country. And it's pretty rare where that happens. So I couldn't be prouder of you and your husband. God bless you. (as qtd. in Scott, 2016)
Obama’s glaring support of the Obergefell decision belies his earlier sentiments in 2010. When asked his stance on gay marriage five years earlier, President Obama claimed he was against it, but stated, “I’m wrestling with this. My attitudes are evolving on this” (as qtd. in Kerry, 2015). The facts don’t lie: President Obama did a complete 180 in his views on same-sex marriage, from timid indifference to bold support. Obama was not alone in this change of heart. In fact, he was in good company. A 2017 Pew Research study found that nearly 30% of Americans changed their minds in less than two decades. In 2001, a mere 35% of Americans supported same-sex marriage, but in 2017, a 62% majority of Americans responded in the affirmative (Pew Research Center, 2017). With such a massive shift in opinions over such a short period of time, it should come as no surprise that the most recent presidential candidates vocalized support for same-sex couples, from empty promises to a sharpied pride flag. This raises the question of how it became unthinkable to even think about supporting gay marriage, to how it became next to unthinkable to oppose gay marriage— all in the time span of a decade and a half. The reason behind this sudden change is multifaceted. First, early gay rights activism started to succeed despite all odds, leading to a political avalanche. Secondly, popular political ideologies changed to become more inclusive of LGBT individuals. Finally, gay people became more visible, and society had to learn how to interact with them, resulting in more positive and less stereotyped views of the gay community.
As noted, the technical legal question to be addressed is whether the federal government or individual states have the right to legalize or prohibit same-sex marriage. To claim that this exact question is increasingly a public concern is to understate the issue. It may be ironic but, as the controversy has grown in recent years, there seems to be more of a demand from the society that the issue be settled once and for all, and for that eyes turn to federal authority. This came to a head in the presidential campaigns of 2013, as same-sex marriage became a “hot button” issue actually defining voter sympathies as either liberal or conservative (Levendusky 42). In plain terms, the Mitt Romney campaign directly appealed to conservative populations opposed to, or perceived as opposed to, gay marriage; the Obama reelection efforts not unexpectedly countered this with an appeal to more liberal factions, which typically favor same-sex unions. The differences in approach aside, the clear fact remains that the nation was emphatically looking to its highest leadership to make a decision, which in turn would lead to federal recognition or denial of same-sex marriage.
The case was later sent to lower court. Voters approved a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage. Hawaii gain national attention, over 40 states over the next 10 years will pass the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMAs). That defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman. On September 21, 1996. President Bill Clinton, signed Federal Defense Of Marriage Act into a law. Which define marriage at a federal level between one man and one woman. This meant there would be no recognition in same sex nor federal protection and benefits given to married heterosexual couples. Vermont was the first state to introduce same sex marriage by enacting a statue without being required to do so by a court decision. December 20, 1999, Vermont court ruled in baker v. Vermont that Vermont constitution entitles same sex couples to the same benefits and protections afforded by Vermont law to married opposite sex couples. Between 2005 and Sep. 15, 2010, 14 more states followed suit, bringing the total number of states with constitutional bans on gay marriage to 30. On July 19, 2011, the Obama administration announced that it will be supporting a bill to repeal the Defense Of Marriage Act. Another decision on Feburary 23, 2011, Obama instructed the Justice Department ti stop defending Defense of Marriage act, over concerns that it violates the fifth amendment. On May 9, 2012 President Obama was the first sitting
The lgbt+ rights haven’t been equal in the United States until June 26, 2015 when gay marriage was legalized. In the past years, the lgbt+ community has never been treated as well as it is now. The people apart of that community finally feel more safe and equal. This has dramatically changed the society because it has never been this equal for the lgbt+ community. Constantly this community is degraded and discriminated for simply loving someone they just want to love. “I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage. But when you start playing around with constitutions, just to prohibit somebody who cares about another person, it just seems to me that’s not what America’s about.” (Barack Obama quote). In this quote, Barack is trying to justify himself as to why he thinks lgbt+ rights are needed, because he personally thinks that you should be able to overlook your religious view. “Every single American — gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, transgender — every single American deserves to be treated equally in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of our society. It’s a pretty simple proposition.” (Barack Obama quote). This shows that Obama thought it was ridiculous that there was discrimination whatsoever, but overall, discrimination towards America’s people.
“Being gay is much more profound than simply a sexual relationship; being gay is part of that person’s core identity, and goes right to the very center of his being. It’s like being black in s society of whites, or a blonde European in a nation of black Asians” (Tamara L. Roleff). Although marriage, cohabitation and parenting styles of homosexual families pose no threats to the heterosexual society; many still believe same-sex marriage goes against its true purpose. “At the national level, American public opinion on the issue remains split (44 percent support legalizing same-sex marriage; 53 percent oppose same-sex marriage in a May 2010 Gallup Poll) even as opposition toward legalizing same-sex marriage is at its lowest point in decades
The first spark to set flames to the waging war on marriage equality happened on October 15, 1971. In the Supreme Court case of Baker v. Nelson on October 15, 1971, one of three cases brought forth by same-sex couples, Richard Baker and James Richard McConnell were denied a marriage license by a county court clerk in Minnesota in May of 1970 (Minnesota Legislature, 1971, Richard John Baker and Another v. Gerald R. Nelson). The initial trial court dismissed their claim, declaring that the clerk had the power to refuse the right of marriage to gay couples. The couple lost again in the Minnesota Supreme Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court followed by confirming the ruling. For the next twenty four years, basic human rights were continuously denied nationwide in cases similar to Baker v. Nelson and in anti-gay attempts to restrict homosexual marriage. Eventually, there showed signs of hope such as the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in May, 1996 and Massachusetts becoming the first state to legalize same-sex marriage in December, 1996. In relatively recent news, the LGBTQ community celebrated a monumental win as the Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage a constitutional right for Americans nationwide. On the 25th of June, 2015, many rejoiced this new ruling. Unfortunately, just as many were disgusted at the new legislation. The topic of marriage equality is a unique controversy due to the fact that it gathers so many strong opinions to the cause from many different walks of life.
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.
According to the CBS News Poll, 58% of Americans believe it should be legal for same-sex couples to marry (Polling Report, June 9-13, 2016). Since recent years, the support for same sex-marriage has steadily increased. In fact, according to the Gallup Poll, 61% of Americans believe that same-sex couples should validly be recognized by the law with the same rights as traditional marriages (Gallup Poll, May 4-8, 2016). Over time, the idea of marriage has transformed from the union of a man and woman to the union of two people who love each other regardless of their sexual orientation. In fact, according to the CNN/ORC Poll, 59% of Americans support the ruling of the Supreme Court regarding the legalization of same-sex marriage in all fifty states (Polling Report, June 26-28, 2015). Based on these polls, Americans generally support equal rights for all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation. Therefore, a majority of Americans favor government involvement to ensure equal rights for all individuals regardless of their differences. Therefore, the position of most Americans regarding same-sex marriage supports the idea that Americans are generally reform liberalists in their
On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that the US Constitution guarantees the right for same-sex couples to marry. Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy stated in the majority opinion: "The court now holds that same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry. No longer may this liberty be denied to them." Many conservatives are completely against gay marriage and they have stated that they will fight to have the Supreme Court ruling overturned.
A same-sex marriage is a hot topic in today’s politics and society. Our views are changing each day as our culture is changing. Today nearly fifty percent of American’s support same-sex marriages. We are changing our views to be more accepting of all and that is why party stances on this issue are very subject to change.
It was just recently that people of the same sex were able to get married. In 2015, President Barack Obama released a statement on gay marriage for immediate release; “This morning, the Supreme Court recognized the Constitution guarantees marriage equality. In doing so, they’ve reaffirmed that all Americans are entitled to the equal protection of the law. That all people should be treated equally, regardless of who they are or
Same-sex marriage has been a subject that is widely discussed throughout generations, many are for it, and many are against the thought of it. It should be allowed because there are many economic benefits that could come along with allowing all types of marriage. Many ideas of why homosexual marriage is morally wrong are discussed and put to the ultimate test as to why it is actually right. Obama is a perfect example of what the government should strive to be, but are not. Obama puts aside all personal beliefs and tries to be equal to everyone, and truly see the sides to everybody. Many people have reasons as to why they are against this type of marriage, the downfall to all of their reasoning is that it is personal, and that shouldn’t cloud
From Rauch’s article, the rise in backing up for same-sex marriage over the last decade is among the biggest change in opinion on any policies over this period. Recent national survey reveals that much of the change is attributable to the influx of a large cohort of young adults who are far more free to gay rights than the previous generations (Rauch, p. 18). Equally significant is that a significant number of Americans and gay marriage supporters claim they have changed their thoughts on this issue in approval of gay marriage.
The political aspects of whether same-sex couples should be allowed to federal and government recognized marriages are a very complex issue. There are basically two sides to the political argument of whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. On one side are the liberals who feel that marriage is a civil right that should be denied based on the basis of a person's sexual orientation. On the other side you have conservatives who feel that marriage is an institution in which should only constitute one man and one woman. In this report we are going to examine how the issue of same-sex marriages are affecting our current political environment, how politics is affecting the movement for
Same sex- marriage is still the topic of many peoples conversation across the country. Citizens, divided by politic party, are very passionate about how they feel about it. The president didn’t approve of it at first, but now he finally accepts same- sex marriage, the Judicial System uses its power to dictate to the States, forcing them to accept same- sex marriage. Both houses of Congress continue to debate what marriage means.
But there is evidence that this issue could become problematic for the Democratic presidential nominee. Voters who support President Bush are largely of one mind on this issue: More than three-quarters (78%) of voters who favor the president 's reelection in 2004 oppose gay marriage; more than half (53%) strongly oppose the idea. But voters who prefer to see a Democrat elected in 2004 are divided 46% favor gay marriage, 48% oppose. A substantial minority of these Democratic-leaning voters strongly oppose gay marriage (25%).