Same Sex Marriage

In recent years, the debate over same-sex marriage has grown into a nationwide controversy, reverberating into the halls of congress, at the white house, in dozens of state and legislature and courtrooms, and in the rhetoric of election campaigns at both the national and state levels. As the debate rages on, the American religious community remains deeply divided over the issue, and over the morality of homosexuality. The debate has grown from an issue that occasionally arose in a few states to a national and even worldwide controversy.

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.

Gay marriage has been an issue for a very long time and since some states are legalizing it, many worry that it would soon be added as an amendment. The topic of gay marriage brings up religious, legal, and many other issues. In "What's wrong with Gay Marriage?" by Katha Pollitt, the author supports gay marriage and wants it legalized. She states that there is no problem with gay marriage and it's all a matter of separating the church and state. But in “Gay ‘Marriage’: Societal Suicide,” by Charles Colson, the author opposes the idea of gay marriage and states that it will destroy society. Marriage is intended to unite a man and a woman together to bring children into the world, but due to the same-sex marriage,

The biggest argument regarding same sex marriage would be religion, although many churches and religious or spiritual people have been accepting LGBTQ+ individuals into their lives and churches. In an article called, “Catholics Can Embrace Same-Sex Marriage Without Compromising Their Faith,” a catholic man and author, Larry Donnelly, says, “My position was rooted in the Catholic faith I am still proud to practice and in a stubborn refusal to acknowledge that a civil marriage shouldn't be defined by the tenets of my religion.” Donnelly recognizes that his religion is very strict and opposed to the lifestyle of same sex couples but he also points out that his views should not stand in the way of someone else's rights. Through his God, he has

The United States is currently embroiled in a battle over issues regarding civil rights of its citizens and what rights are constituted by that term. In the past, civil rights issues have been fought over women's rights and those of African Americans among others all in the name of seeking equality. Perhaps the most vocal group discussing civil rights in the United States at present are gay marriage activists who are fighting for same-sex couples to be able to marry. These individuals feel that marriage is a civil right and that there is no legal reason why people of the same gender cannot be legally married in the United States, a perspective which is shared by many people who are themselves not homosexual. Homosexuality and what rights should be afforded to same-sex couples have been in the forefront of politics for the last few years and rightly so. Before this period, gay people had to fight to get recognized and for their relationships to even be legal. For most of American history, homosexuals have had to hide their sexual orientation or fear ostracism and marginalization by the moral and social majority. This oppression is still seen in the legislation of the United States. Those who do not agree almost always use their religious beliefs as a reason for denying homosexuals this right despite the fact that the United States Constitution bans legislation being based upon religious perspectives. There simply is no reasonable argument against same-sex

Although the gay marriage topic has been pretty hot this year and during the Presidential debate, it has been around for a while, but people tended to ignore it. In contrast, today the topic has gained national attention. Not only has it been an interesting topic to look at in terms of same-sex weeding but also due to religious means. Some opponents object to same-sex marriage on religious grounds, arguing that extending marriage to homosexual couple's undercuts the conventional meaning of marriage in various traditions, and does not fulfill and procreation role. Writers have coined the term "marriage" to be restricted to a religious context and that state and federal government should not be involved in the religious practice. This could

Same-sex marriage at this time one of the most debated political issues in our nation. The controversy over same-sex marriage is a very touchy subject. It involves many legislative, religious and family matters. Advocates claim that same-sex couples should have the same marriage rights and that same-sex marriages should be acknowledged the same way as heterosexual couples. Advocated state that eliminating gay marriage is a form of discrimination. The varying definitions of marriage comes with a large amount of dispute. Those who support same-sex marriage often debate that love should be the main reason for marriage, regardless of your sexual orientation. Those who are opposed often quote religious viewpoints and concerns about the nurturing

Unfortunately, it was not always viewed as such. Throughout the majority of American History, same-sex marriage was outlawed and slandered. Then, in April of 2000, Vermont signed a first of its kind civil unions bill that provided same-sex couples with the full benefits of marriage. By 2015, 37 states had followed Vermont into this revolution of marriage, and what it all means. Finally, on June 26, 2015, a Supreme Court decision guaranteed the right for same-sex couples to marry in all 50 states. Once again, the basis of legality in marriage equality lies in our Constitution. It states that everyone is created equal; and to withhold the right and benefits of marriage from someone because of who they wish to marry simply defies the Constitution. The plain inequality in disallowing members of the same sex to marry has been noted by Supreme Court justices time and time again. Be that as it may, America was founded on religious principles. This leads to what is perhaps the most controversial aspect of the same-sex 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

This reason is the strongest because it is based upon the current laws in our country and on Biblical teachings. Marriage has been between a man and a woman since this country was founded over 200 years ago. It is a tradition that has been followed for centuries. According to Merriam-Webster, marriage is defined as “a (1) : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2) : the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage <same-sex marriage>” (Merriam-Webster, 2012).

Marriage, for years has been argued that the rights to it or strictly only between a man and a women. Both sexes are assumed to marry someone of the opposite sex. What if, however, an individual wanted to marry someone of the same sex? Why is this debate so heavily heated amongst individuals? Is it that religion is a large structure base that those in society are guided by? Or is it that individuals do not understand that marriage is a union between two individuals who are in love? Whatever the case may be, there is always someone who has to argue that homosexual marriage is “wrong.”

Some people don’t feel the same as others when it comes to gay and lesbian rights, especially when it comes to marriage. This leads to many disagreements and bans on marriage for gay or lesbian couples.

     Lastly, each one of these issues of controversy has its good and bad points. To get a better view on both sides of the issue I interviewed two homosexual males who have differing opinions on the issue. On the issue of gay marriage, Brian had this to say: “Since gay people tend not to stay together as long, I see no reason for them to be married in the first place” (Brian). The second interviewee, Brandon, responded with: “I believe gays should have the right to marry, because if a man and a woman love one another just as a man and a man love one another, you should not

In the Boston Globe newspaper editorial For Gay Marriage the editors argue that gay marriage should be legalized in America. Throughout the newspaper article the is topic of the expanding circle of rights (“Globe” A18). Movements include the civil-rights movement, gender equality, rights for the disabled, 18 year olds to vote, single mothers and adoptive parents have occurred it is apparent that the right for gay marriage should occur (“Globe” A18).These advances have occurred with the help of court cases. The 1967 supreme court case Loving V. Virginia Court rulings ruled that marriage should not be restricted because of ones race (“Globe” A18). Others ruled that adoption could not be denied on the basis of sexual orientation. The Globe states that under the Massachusetts constitution, “Equality under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of sex, race, color, creed or national origin”to argue their point gay marriage should be legalized(A18). Along with the presidents The Globe uses Hillary Goodridge as an example of how her rights were abridged when she was unable to see her newborn daughter in a neonatal intensive care unit because she was not married to her partner of 15 years. (A18). The Editors discuss opposing reasons to why gay marriage should not be legalized by Massachusetts Attorney General. One argument the attorney general makes is that marriage is, “…A social institution designed to promote child bearing and rearing” (A18). The Globe the refutes this

Gay rights is a very popular issue in American politics that asks ask the question “Should same sex marriage be recognized legally.” Some Americans support gay rights and believe all homosexuals deserve the right of protection from discrimination. They do not believe marriage would devalued but would allow homosexuals to have same benefits and security as heterosexual couples. Some of the rights same-sex marriages would be entitled to include: eligibility of health insurance through each other’s employers, visitation rights in hospitals and jails, and the right to sue over wrongful death of a partner, right to refuse to testify against spouse in court, tax and Social Security benefits. Opponents of the gay rights movement believe marriage is between one man and one woman. They believe it is a wrong and unnatural act that devalues the institution of marriage. They believe marriage is meant to foster two-parent families that are the foundation of our society. Gay rights have been a controversial issue for many years, but until recently there had not been any real progress in ensuring same-sex couples have the rights they deserve that are given to heterosexual couples and crushing the belief that being who they are is wrong or shameful.