Same Sex Marriage Research Paper

Submitted By smnorton
Words: 1033
Pages: 5
Open Document
S Norton
English 101H
25 November, 2012
Essay 5 Research Paper
Same-Sex Marriage
One of the most hotly debated issue today being played out in the American court system is the proposed legalization of same-sex marriage. If legalized, it could be one of the most revolutionary policy decisions in the history of America, along with women’s rights, interracial marriage, and slavery. The country is divided with people who are opposed and feel it is morally and ethically wrong and others who feel that same-sex marriages are acceptable.
What exactly is marriage? Authors David Spaulding and Jay Freeberg's essay titled Marriage Equality in New York and beyond: to love, cherish, and tax state that “The federal statute defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.” They also state that the “Defense of Marriage Act, established in 1996, goes so far as saying that, under the law, no U.S. state or political subdivision is required to recognize a same-sex marriage treated as a marriage in another state.” The concept of same sex marriage first became popular in the 1970s as gay and lesbian couples began to consider permanent unions reflecting traditional marriages between men and women. This concept grew to national importance in the 1990s as opposing political viewpoints of the country began to voice their disregard for same sex couples that, in their opinion, were disrespecting the traditional institution of marriage in the United States. In the essay titled Gay Rights, the author points out:
Over the last several decades, gay rights advocates have made significant strides in better protecting homosexuals from discrimination, violence, and exlusion. However, many people assert that gays continue to experience discrimination on a scale unequaled by almost any other minority population. Despite the hard won gains that now allow many in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community (often abbreviated as GLBT or LGBT)- including those serving as elected officials, in high-profile business roles, and in the military- to be open about their sexuality, they are still denied what gay rights advocates contend is one of the most basic rights that heterosexual Americans take for granted: the right to marry and have that marriage recognized by the U.S. And state governments. Indeed, in recent years, dozens of states and jurisdictions have passed legislation explicitly outlawing same-sex marriage, while several others-including Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.-have legalized the practice.
There are two complaints here. First, homosexuals do not have the same legal liberties heterosexuals have. Second, homosexual couples do not have the same legal benefits as married couples. The first complaint is not accurate. Any homosexual can marry in any state and receive every one of the privileges and benefits of state sanctioned marriage. He just does not have the right to marry someone of the same sex. For homosexuals this is an unsatisfactory response but, regardless, it is a legitimate one. There is no legal inequality, only an inequality of desire, but that is not the government's concern. Denying homosexual's the right to marry a same-sex partner is not a violation of the equal protection clause it is just merely an inconvenience. The second complaint is more significant. It is true that homosexual couples do not have the same legal benefits as married heterosexuals regarding taxation, family leave, health care, hospital visitation, inheritance, etc. However, there are ways around some of these problems. Some states have provisions for these very issues. Thankfully, there are an abundance of lawyers that can direct them in the right direction.
Secondly, opponents argue that by opening the door to same-sex marriage, it puts our society down a dangerous path in which other individuals might try to argue in support of more sinister unions. The
Show More

Related Documents: Same Sex Marriage Research Paper

Same Sex Marriage

on May 17, 2004, after becoming the first same-sex couple in the U.S. to complete a state-sanctioned marriage application, they probably hoped their union would open the floodgates for gay couples across the country. But instead, it became a high-water mark for same-sex marriage as the acrimonious debate over the issue raged on--a moment equaled only by a California Supreme Court's ruling in mid-May overturning the state's ban on gay marriage.” Marriage is the formal union of man and woman, typically…

Words 886 - Pages 4

Same Sex Marriage Essay

Biological Sex-Marriage: “An Alteration to Humanity” Submitted by: Ellicia Jiona Candelaria Submitted to: Mrs. Joan Bataclan ABSTRACT Biological Sex-Marriage: “An Alteration to Humanity” This study describes the advantages and also the disadvantages of couples of the same sex being married. It aims to explore how it affects the society and most importantly the church. Same-sex marriage, popularly known as gay marriage, is a socially or legally reorganized wedlock between two persons of similar…

Words 1148 - Pages 5

Essay on Same Sex Marriage

Same Sex Marriage Same-sex marriage is a union between two individuals of the same gender that permits these two individuals to enter into a legally recognized marriage. In the US today, there is a big debate about whether gay couples have the right to marry. There are many reasons that people believe homosexuals should or shouldn’t have the right to marry. The United States was set up on an account of church and state being separated. For this reason Same-sex marriage should be recognized and…

Words 732 - Pages 3

Essay on Same Sex Marriages

Elizabeth Gang WRT 105: Jump-start 4 October 2010 Same Sex Marriage What is true love without marriage? Imagine falling in love with someone who is kind, patient, caring and very loving and compassionate. You dream of getting married and spending the rest of your life in true testament to your love and dedication to each other. Most people grow up with the vision of two people of the opposite sex getting married. The normal progression would be to get engaged, get married, have a family…

Words 1425 - Pages 6

Same Sex Marriage Essay

The legalization of same-sex marriage is currently held up to the states and what their personal view on the topic is(NCLS). The topic of same-sex marriage being declared legal or not is being determined by people in the states who may or may not know a member, or a couple, of the Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual,Transgender (LGBT) community. Civil rights laws, the history of these laws and same-sex marriage, and today’s society all have an impact on the big debate of why same-sex marriage needs to be legalized…

Words 467 - Pages 2

Same-Sex Marriage Essay

Same-Sex Marriage: The Problems with DOMA and the Pursuit for Equality Believe it or not, same-sex marriage has been around since ancient times. At least two Roman Emperors, Nero and Elagabalus, were in gay unions. It wasn’t until the advent of Christianity that the practice of same sex marriage was out-lawed by the emperors Constantius II and Constans in 342 AD and has continued to be through-out most of the world until the twenty-first century (Boswell 83). With the advent of gay rights movement…

Words 1456 - Pages 6

Essay on Same Sex Marriage

Should Same Sex Marriage be Legal? PHI 103: Informal Logic Professor Steven Matthews August 19, 2013 Should Same Sex Marriage Be Legal? Over the past decade, the acceptance of homosexuality has grown, causing many differences in the society and government. Prohibiting the acknowledgement of a union between same sex couples affect not only their happiness, but also benefits that include insurance, social security, etc. Even though I consider myself a Christian…

Words 1631 - Pages 7

For Same-Sex Marriage Essay

“Natural Rights: The Defense of Same-sex Marriage” As an ever evolving society, all levels of government are obligated to constantly review and revise policies and laws that may be deemed unconstitutional and therefore have no place in today’s culture. The Civil Rights Movement opened the doors for African Americans and women alike to be viewed as equals and to be protected under the constitution. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the foundation for equal rights and helped move our nation…

Words 2181 - Pages 9

Same Sex Marriage Essay

Maggie Mohr Mohr 1 November 2, 2012 Period: 4B Ms. McArdle Gay Marriage As of September 12, 2012, 11 out of 194 countries allow same - sex marriage and 41 states that have banned same – sex marriage. Homosexuals are no different from heterosexuals in my mind; people are people. Some scientists think that people become gay because of a gene. People are people and should all have the same rights and be able to get married. There is a law that says there needs to be a separation between…

Words 889 - Pages 4

Same Sex Marriage Essay

Name May 26th 2014 Honors English Teachers Name Same Sex Marriage I disagree with the fact of two guys or two girls other wise knows as “gay/lesbians” to get married to one another. Men and Woman are born to be together. There are enough men and woman in the world to be pair with each other. It is normal to find your love in the opposite sex. In religious aspects it is a sin to get married to the same-sex. Men and woman are made to reproduce children. If gay/lesbians are together they…

Words 340 - Pages 2