Same Sex Marriage Debate - 785 Words

The gay marriage debate is complex, to say the least. Bitter, emotional, and controversial are just a few words that can be used to describe it. In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same sex marriage; since then twelve states have approved gay marriage (Shapiro). Even though some states have decided to legalize same sex marriage others are standing firm on constitutional amendments that ban it. Deciding whether or not gay couples should be allowed to marry is drawing passion from both sides of the issue. Everyone has an opinion, and no one seems willing to compromise. Is it right that heterosexual couples can marry but homosexual couples cannot? Well, it depends on the individual answering the question. Those who†¦show more content†¦They argue that civil unions are not protected under the law the way marriage is. A civil union does not entitle spouses to benefits like Social Security after the death of a spouse; spouses are unable to take time off from work to care for each other, and they have no say in life and death situations (Ayres). Supporters argue that allowing heterosexual marriages protection and benefits under the law while denying homosexual couples the same protection, because of moral opinions is discrimination. If you ask those who are against same sex marriage how they feel about equal rights and gay marriage, the answer would probably be similar to this â€Å"Individuals are worthy of equal treatment under the law, regardless of their race, but an individual’s lifestyle choices are not† (Barber). He argues that same-sex marriage has nothing to do with equal rights. Barber explains that segregation became a law to keep a class of citizens based on race under subordination; he goes on to say that homosexuals are not being treated as a subordinate class of people. Sullivan, however, believes that the goal of gay marriage opponents is to make sure that gay citizens feel unequal and remain unequal, by denying them the right to marry. Opponents of same-sex marriage are trying to stop or reverse laws that allow homosexual couples to marry. In an attempt to do so, they have asked that federal and state legislation define marriage as aShow MoreRelatedThe Debate On Same Sex Marriage1934 Words   |  8 PagesUnited States, we all have rights protected by our constitution set forth by our founding fathers; however, the right to marry whichever one we choose has been a hot topic for endless debate. In recent years, the repealing of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in California had stirred great deliberation. Marriage equality has been a nation’s issue on and off election agenda. Back in 2013, Supreme Court’s decisions on Hollingsworth vs. Perry, also known as Proposition 8 established oppositions fromRead MoreThe Same Sex Marriage Debate1331 Words   |  6 PagesA Paper to End The Same-Sex Marriage Debate The topic of same-sex marriage has been heavily debated for the past decade. Discussions continue whether a marriage is between two people who are in love and agree to spend the rest of their lives together regardless of their sex or if it is reserved for only heterosexuals. Since the beginning of The Gay Rights Movement in the early nineteenth century, groundbreaking developments have come to the surface, presenting strong arguments on both sides of thisRead MoreThe Debate Over Same Sex Marriage1682 Words   |  7 PagesThe largely debated topic of same-sex relationships have been on the forefront of all U.S. citizen’s minds, including and more specifically of those in the branches of legislature. More states today have begun passing laws that accept and recognize marriage for this population. This minority group, in some opinions, has been at a disadvantage when it comes to marriage equality. Previous studies have explored this great debate in the United States beginning in the 1970s. The Minnesota Post publishedRead More The Same Sex Marriage Debate Essay1624 Words   |  7 PagesThe Same Sex Marriage Debate The controversial debate over whether same sex marriage should be legalized has gained a lot of attention in recent years and there are strong arguments for each side of the issue. There are many different factors that must be looked at when considering same-sex marriage. A marriage is not something that is just slapped on a piece of paper to show a couples love; it involves legal, social, economic, and spiritual issues. Throughout this essay, I intend to focusRead MoreThe Debate Over Same Sex Marriage1334 Words   |  6 Pagesapprove the so-called Federal Marriage Amendment. This would amend the US Constitution to legally define marriage as the union of a man and a woman only. Utah has passed a similar amendment that was ratified by Utah voters in the general election of 2004. I believe that couples of the same sex should be able to marry, and receive the same rights as man and women couples, but I m going to argue both points. The pros and the cons of same sex marriage. -Same sex marriage has been a fight that has beenRead MoreThe Debate Regarding Same Sex Marriage2617 Words   |  11 Pagesdefinition of marriage varies according to different cultures, but when defined broadly, marriage is considered to be an institution common to all human cultures. In terms of legal recognition, most sovereign states limit marriage to male and female couples (two persons of opposite gender). Nowadays a growing number of countries (about 15) have established a legal recognition for same-sex marriage. While few societies have recognized same-sex unions as marriages there is a long history of same-sex unionsRead MoreThe Debate On Legalizing Same Sex Marriage1251 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Marriage also known as matrimony is the process in which two people legally or formally recognize the love between a man and woman or in some jurisdictions, two people of the same sex (Physcology Today , 2015 ). Marriage is an important part of our society. The emotional bond between two lovers is the strongest bond and most sacred (Anderson, 2013 ). However there are people who get left out because their partner is not of the same gender as they are. The debate on legalising same sex marriageRead MoreSame-sex marriage debate. An essay AGAINST same sex marriages.773 Words   |  3 Pagesevolution of marriage: legalizing homosexual marriages. Not allowing homosexual marriages to be recognized by the government and to be legal would prevent changing a fundamental institution, would prohibit breaching the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and would prevent unthinkable consequences. Marriage has been around for as long as anyone can remember. And after all this time, it has changed very little in the eyes of the law. Every major religion and culture has embraced marriage as a unique relationshipRead MoreThe Debate Over Same Sex Marriage1181 Words   |  5 Pagessociety than same sex marriage? It is a topic that has battered Americans for decades, and just recently has it been decided that same sex marriage and relations is awarded by the constitution. Before this it was at states discretion whether or not to allow those of the same sex to marry. But, on June 26, 2015 the Supreme Court ruled that the constitution gave legal rights to same sex couples to marry in all 50 states where prior to that only 37 states had legalized same sex marriage. (Freedom toRead MoreThe Debate Over Same Sex Marriage1555 Words   |  7 PagesFor years on end, same-sex marriage has been a topic of controversy. It has always been an on-going argument; there is the for-side and there i s the against-side. There are many arguments for each side but which side has the most convincing argument? Maybe some of these arguments can be debunked. There needs to be a discussion about the holes in arguments and which side is the most convincing. The history of same-sex marriage was anti-climatic for a long time. It seemed that for too many years it