Legalization of Gay Marriage What is the definition of marriage? The dictionary states it as being the legal union between a man and a woman as husband and wife. However, times are changing as the gay life style becomes more accepted by society it is time to allow all couples regardless of sex to enjoy equal protections, rights and benefits under the law. Perhaps, it makes the most sense to consider arguments against same sex marriage to realize why it should be legalized; these arguments touch upon a broad array of issues including: parenting, religion and morality, procreation, rights and benefits, and values and institute of marriage. Parenting
Many people believe that same sex marriages are not the ideal environments for
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Many people also believe that legalizing same sex marriages will lead to a huge portion of the population to suddenly declare themselves as homosexuals: I find this scenario to be very unlikely. Equal Rights, Benefits, and Financial Implications
Although they currently are not the reality is that marriage benefits should be accessible to all couples. Gay couples are unfairly denied the countless benefits enjoyed by heterosexual couples that are able to marry. For instance, they are not eligible for tax benefits, insurance benefits and are sometimes denied joint ownership of property. Furthermore, Same sex couples are even denied the right to make certain medical decisions with regards to their partner. For example, a gay couple that has been together for 25 years is not allowed to visit their partner in the hospital after visiting hours due to the fact they are not considered family. They each are considered legal strangers. A common belief among opponents of same sex marriage is that businesses would be forced to provide benefits to same sex couples. (Bidstrup, 2004) This is not necessarily the case, and many businesses already voluntarily offer marriage benefits to same sex couples as a matter of good business sense. The businesses that offer these benefits recognize the importance and invaluable support spouses make to their working partners; these companies are generally viewed as progressive and are attractive to investors
benefits of marriage. However, they argue that a gay partnership should not have the designation
Gay and lesbian loving each other, in a committed relationship, does not threaten stability of heterosexual marriage. While Bill and Roberts story illuminates some of the problems gay couples face, it’s really just the tip of the iceberg. In 2004 the U.S general accounting office released a report saying that there are well over 1,000 individual rights and benefits which homosexual couples are denied. Rights that heterosexual couples receive including tax breaks, social security benefits, and hospital visitation rights, and this is only counting for federal benefits and doesn’t factor in the countless local and state laws, which regulate everything from medical benefits to adoption
Marriage has been defined differently throughout the centuries. Today Merriam-Webster defines marriage as, “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” (“Marriage”). Due to the recent Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and Transsexual or LGBT movement, Merriam-Webster also added a second line to the definition reading “The state of being
Gay marriage has been a controversial topic that is highly debated all around the globe, containing many of its own varying viewpoints and beliefs on both sides of the argument. Those who oppose same-sex marriage believe that it is a sacred bond that can only be kept sacred between a man and a woman, and that same-sex marriage will ruin the sanctity of marriage. Also, if gay marriage is allowed they believe that it will open the door to other non-traditional relationships to be accepted such as polygamy. Finally other key oppositions come from religious beliefs and standards. However the many that support gay marriage usually argue that everyone should have equal right to be in relationships with each other and receive the financial, emotional, and social benefits of marriage. I mean who really would be affected if same-sex marriage were to become legal? Nobody. If everyone feels that there is that special someone whom they are perfect for and will fall in love with, gay people would feel the same way. They deserve equal opportunity to not only find that perfect somebody but to be able to love them and get married. Leading to parenthood, and while gay couples are not able to have children on their own, that doesn’t mean they can’t adopt children off the street. However, several times have happened where a gay couple were put at the end of a waiting list or even denied completely just because of their sexual orientation. Other benefits to marriage are also tax breaks and
Historically defined as the union between a man and women the idea of marriage has been socially ingrained into the minds of Americans leaving any other possibilities of who love can happen between as unacceptable. These strong societal beliefs are far from the truth yet dictate the ability of homosexuals rights to marry one another. Avoiding defining what marriage entails in the constitution, the issue of whether or not gay people have the right to marry has become a state issue. The conservative idea of marriage is changing as society is undergoing a transformation in its beliefs to a more liberal stance. As a country that has progressed towards being more egalitarian and inclusive in ensuring individuals rights, the right of marriage
Of the many societal customs engrained in humanity, marriage may be one of the most prevalent. For most of history, man and woman have displayed their capacity for affection through this formality; and, for most of history, marriage has been limited to only man and woman. Like marriage, however, homosexuality too has existed for thousands of years. One could even argue that it is simply a part of human nature. Nonetheless, those who identify as anything but heterosexual have been persecuted for hundreds of years. In the United States of America, gay marriage has been legal since 2015 -- and although legal, the opposition persists to this day through politicians and religious groups. For example, while the Constitution of the United States
The definition of marriage is the legally recognized union of two individuals. For many people that is the only definition. However, to others it means so much more than that. Marriage is not for the weak, it is not for people who are selfish and people who do not want to work at it. Marriage is being there for each other and being selfless for the other person. For those people who feel that it is much more than just a legal representation. They feel that two individuals coming together for life is more than a piece of paper. It is two individuals blending their lives together forever.
What is the definition of marriage? Over the years, the word marriage has been challenged from its current definition as listed in Merriam-Webster 's Dictionary as an act of marrying or being married between a man and a woman. Marriage can also be defined in the Oxford Dictionary as the formal union of a man and a woman, typically recognized by law, by which they become husband and wife. The word marriage becomes a special type of bond between two people that share the same desire to become the other person’s life partner. Marriage can be challenging between two people based on their current government state laws, in their religious and cultural beliefs as well as challenging to the word to be defined
Same sex couples have access to the same benefits as straight couples. For example, there are social security benefits, tax benefits, veteran and military benefits, federal employment benefits, and immigration benefits just like straight couples. The Supreme Court ruled that the section of DOMA defining marriage as between a man and a woman violates the Equal Protection Clause and is therefore unconstitutional(Kathleen Michon, 2015). The rules for eligibility
Thank you for your post. I used a similar example about reversing the situation. What if a gay couple owned a bakery and a customer asked if they would make a cake saying that would say Gay marriage is wrong. The couple would most likely refuse as its goes against their beliefs. No one should have to force themselves to do something that they feel is morally wrong. I do not agree that Christian's are a protected group and it would be a different outcome. All citizens of the United States are protected by the equal protection clause of the fourteenth amendment, and justices apply this clause to all situations concerning this issue. What are your thoughts on the future of this issue? Will the people become more accepting of business
“My thoughts on gay marriage are that everyone has the right to love and be loved, and that's the position I take” (Nick Jonas). Over the years, some courts of the United States have ruled for the denial of marriage licenses to same-sex couples. “The movement to obtain civil marriage rights and benefits for same-sex couples in the United States began in the 1970s.” (LGBT) During the 21st century, while several countries elsewhere in the world were opening marriage for same-sex couples, public support in the U.S. for same-sex marriage has grown but not yet fully developed. Our civil rights and the Constitution give us many liberties. One of our civil liberties is the pursuit of happiness should be to marry who we want. Although, all that was
“I think the best day will be when we no longer talk about being gay or straight… It’s not a gay wedding, it’s just a wedding… it’s not a gay marriage it’s just a marriage.”(Pink). Gay marriage is a right that should be open to anyone in any state. The constitution does not state that same-sex marriage is unethical. Many people see gay marriage as something that is unlawful when in reality gay marriage just the same as opposite-sex marriage. Same-sex couples should be able to be married because they deserve equal rights, and they are also great parents and legalizing gay marriage would help reduce gay teen suicide.
Homosexuals want to have the same rights as heterosexuals in dealing with marriage, legal rights, and the acceptance of society (Wedgewood 63). It is a known fact that insurance rates are lowered for married couples. This is something that homosexuals want to have just as well as heterosexuals. Homosexuals want to get married so that they can commit to their partner. “Rights such as the right to spousal support and (in the event of divorce or separation) to alimony and an equitable division of property reinforce the generally shared expectation that marriage involves a serious mutual commitment to long term economic and domestic partnership” (Wedgewood 63). Same sex marriage would not keep anyone from getting married normally; neither would it change what the definition of marriage is either. The argument over gay marriage is not some small subject. “either we win—or we lose the central meaning of marriage” (Gallagher 69).
The number one reason that heterosexuals marry is not to establish legal status, allow joint filing of taxes, or protect each other in medical decision-making. They marry because it is the ultimate expression of a person's love for another. Marriage is a commitment that says "I love you so much that I want to live the rest of my life with you. I want to share the ups and downs, forsake all others, and be together until death do us part." Should it matter that the couple doesn't fit into what society is used to? What matters is that they love each other. Some people talk about living wills and other legal contracts that can give homosexuals essentially the same rights as a married couple. If that is the case, why don't all heterosexual couples use these legal maneuvers instead of marriage? Just maybe there's something more to it. This whole act denies them their right to show affection and denies them religious freedom.
on the subject of gay marriage. A sensitive topic to many that is being fought in courts, out in the streets, and even on the internet. The traditional marriage between two people who want to be together seems to be transitioning into a more modern era of acceptance and change. Recent studies have shown the increase of people coming to accept gay marriage as something “normal.” Two people of the same gender coming together in union because they love each other, is not such a bad thought. The definition for marriage is: “the legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship.” It is rather self explanatory, two people forming a bond come together in a union of support, trust, and love. Though, not everyone marries because they love one another. Sometimes they marry for financial reasons, self and family gain, arranged, or even just because they feel like it; in other words the definition is not entirely correct. Gay marriage is not something to be condemned but something to help both the economy and other people.