Gay Marriage in America! Should it be allowed?

Class Links

2007-11-05T11:04:00.000-08:00

I began writing and publishing this blog as an academic project for an English class. For the project, the class was to individually choose a public issue that is currently affecting the United States. I chose gay marriage. Many of my fellow classmates wrote on various topics ranging from global warming, stem cell research and even racism. I would just like to share three of my fellow classmates blogs that I believe did a very good job of arguing their point. Also, I am sharing these three blogs precisely because they directly relate to the issue I have argued.

Should Gay Marriage Be Allowed? - This blog was about the same issue that I was arguing. Instead of being for gay marriage, the author of this blog was against gay marriage. This blog focuses more on arguments and websites that are against gay marriage, while I have focused mainly on arguments that are for gay marriage. By having two opposing positions on gay marriage this blog helped me to understand the views of someone that is against gay marriage. It was also very interesting to me to have different views of a similar issue with a close classmate/peer.
Gay Adoption - A few of my blog posts have argued and explained how gay couples are restricted and discriminated against even in the case of gay adoption, therefore, I decided to share this blog. This blog discusses the two binary issues of gay adoption.
Church and State: Is it really separated? - This blog is about the issue pertaining to church and state. It relates to the issues I have argued because many of the people who oppose gay marriage use the basis of their decision based on religion.

Implications

2007-10-29T22:40:00.000-07:00

If the legalization of same-sex marriage remains an issue homosexuals in America will continue to be deprived of many rights. Every year each partner in a homosexual relationship will be deprived of one thousand and forty nine state and federal benefits. If a couple chooses to divorce or separate, a same-sex couple will continue to have to give up all rights as parents and receive no financial support or alimony. In the case of death, surviving same-sex partners do not receive Social Security or other government benefits. Each year surviving partners will continue to loose and estimated $5,528 of Social Security benefits. Same-sex couples will continue to be unable to make emergency medical decisions for their partner. If a couple chooses to have a child through artificial insemination, only the birth parent will continue to be recognized as the legal guardian. If a same-sex couple chooses to adopt and if something happens to the custodial parent, the remaining parent, even if they have been raising the child for years, will continue to be seen as a stranger in the eyes of the law. Also, when same-sex couples adopt children, gay couple households will continue to have no legal status should something happen to the parents, including death or serious illness. For example, neither the parent or child has visitation rights if the parents separate, the child cannot claim inheritances or other household assets in case of death, if one parent dies, the second parent has no legal right to take custody or care for the child, a parent without legal right to a child cannot legally register him/her for school, parents cannot put children on some health insurance plans, parents cannot make medical decisions for the child, the child has no claim to the social security or other insurance benefits of the parent, and gay couple parents without adoption rights will continue to not benefit from the generous tax deductions granted to heterosexual parents.

LINKS

2007-10-29T21:57:00.000-07:00

While researching the issue of gay marriage I have read many interesting articles. Some of the articles were written by people who are for gay marriage and some were written by people who are against gay marriage. While arguing my position of being for gay marriage I have also taken into account the positions of others. This blog was in fact a project for my current English class and throughout this project my opinion about gay marriage has been influenced by many articles that I have read. At the beginning of this project I was for gay marriage and wanted to discover all the different binary issues associated with gay marriage. I have found a few articles that I would like to share. These articles helped me decide my fate and caused me to feel very strong about the legalization of gay marriage!

I found an article that tells how President Bush feels about the legalization of same sex marriage:

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/07/30/bush.gay.marriage/index.html

I found a few websites that had some interesting articles about the religious aspect against homosexuals and same-sex marriage:

This website mainly talks about the legal aspect of same-sex marriage:

http://law-library.rutgers.edu/SSM.html

The benefits of same sex marriage are within these websites:

I found an interesting article about the first gay couple to get married in the US:

http://www.boston.com/news/specials/gay_marriage/articles/2004/05/18/wedding_day/

I decided to search even further and see if I could find distinctive pros and cons of gay marriage. The following websites provide pros and cons of gay marriage:

Lastly, I would like to leave readers with bad arguments that are frequently used against gay marriage:

http://atheism.about.com/od/gaymarriage/p/ContraGayMarria.htm

ENJOY!

Theory

2007-10-29T21:20:00.000-07:00

First, the two sides: those who are for gay marriage (mainly homosexuals and less than fifty percent of Americans) and those who are against it (many religious figures, conservatives, George Bush and more than fifty percent of Americans).

The issue of gay marriage is so contentious because a marriage license provides Americans benefits and privileges that homosexual are being denied because of minor objections. Marriage provides couples state and federal benefits, divorce benefits if one chose to get divorced, parental rights, rights to their partners welfare in emergency health situations, etc. Many homosexuals are fighting for these rights, but yet many people are against it. Why? Many of the individuals who are against gay marriage use religion to their advantage. The bible is often interpreted many different ways and many people use religion to set standards on the way people should live and should date. People say that god intended "Adam and Eve" and not "Adam and Steve" but yet can't explain further on why same-sex couples shouldn't get married.

In a previous post I stated that there are over fifty percent of Americans against same-sex marriage, and over seventy-five percent of Americans for gay rights. How could so many people be for gay rights but against gay marriage when marriage is a right. Again, the main issue between the two sides and the main reason that this issue has remained illegal is because many people are unsure of how they really feel and are persuaded by society. If it was not for me researching the issue, being around homosexuals, feeling their pain, and realizing how many benefits homosexuals are losing out on every year I would not know how important marriage is to them. In my opinion, in order to bring an end to the "polarized sides" of this issue those who are against gay marriage should be informed of the many benefits and privileges that are being taken away from homosexuals. Opposers should be informed about equality under the law and by objecting same-sex marriage a person is objecting and infringing on an Americans right.

To homosexuals marriage is more than just a document which lets the world know two people are united in holy matrimony, its meaning is far superior and means so much more. It is very evident that many privileges are being taken away from homosexuals because they are not allowed the right of marriage.

Self Analysis

2007-10-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

Gay Marriage in America should be allowed! I stand stronger on this issue today then I did when I first began this blog. When I first began this blog I was for gay marriage but did not know why most people were against it and wanted to see if their reasons would cause me to be against gay marriage. I can now say that I am hands down for gay marriage in America. Through alot of research and reading I have learned that without a marriage license same-sex couples are not able to enjoy the same benefits and privileges that heterosexual couples enjoy. Without a marriage license gay couples cannot make medical decisions for each other even if they have been together for twenty years. Without a marriage license a couple can adopt or receive artificial insemination but only one partner is considered the parent.

On the opposing side of gay marriage I have found that people are against it because they fear that it does not respect the religious meaning of marriage. Many religious figures and conservatives believe that marriage is suppose to be between a man and a woman. They feel as though gay marriage will reign supreme and heterosexual marriage will be a thing of the past if it becomes legal. Through all of my strenuous research I have found religious figures and conservatives objecting to homosexuality merely on what they interpreted from the bible. Although some interpret the bible differently and I am not saying that god is for or against homosexuality, there is no known verse in the bible that says directly "homosexuality is wrong"!

On this journey I was hoping to embark and unmask the true feeling of people in society and see if those who were against gay marriage had a valid reason to be against it. At one point in time I was second guessing myself and thinking "should it be legalized?". It seems as if same-sex couples has won me over! I repeat, I am not a homosexual but as far as the record goes I am FOR gay marriage in America! All of the many websites that I have visited and articles that I have read has shown me that gay marriage will provide many benefits and privileges that many take for granted or could never acquire because of one's sexual orientation. Every American should have equal protection and rights under the law!

Defensense of Marriage Act (DOMA)

2007-10-26T07:06:00.000-07:00

In 1996, DOMA "Defense of Marriage Act" was passed by congress and signed by President Bill Clinton. When the Defense of Marriage Act "DOMA" became law, no state licensed or certified marriages of same-sex couples. DOMA attempts to exempt states from their legal obligation to respect marriages of same-sex couples under the constitutional rules of full faith and credit. DOMA discredits any same-sex relationship “that is treated as a marriage” under state laws, such as Vermont’s civil union law, as well as any “right or claim arising from such a relationship.” With DOMA states can justify their refusal to provide equal treatment and respect to civil unions. In 1996 DOMA was made a law and ever since it has became the "public policy" against marriage and other rights for same sex couples. DOMA creates a federal definition of marriage for law and program purposes. The word "marriage" under this law only means "union". DOMA only recognizes the term "spouse" when it is referred to a relationship between a man and a woman. DOMA is a discriminating law that does not accept gay marriage and in some states is interpreted to not accept civil unions.

The religious aspect of same-sex marriage...

2007-10-23T07:05:00.000-07:00

Many people view marriage as a sacred religious sacrament. Many argue that the debate on same-sex marriage is so intense because marriage is considered such a sacred institution. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist stated in an interview on ABC: “I very much feel that marriage is a sacrament and that should extend and can extend to that legal entity of a union between what has traditionally in our Western values been defined as between a man and woman. So I would support the amendment [banning gay marriage].” Allowing same-sex couples to marry is unacceptable to religious individuals and organizations because they believe that marriage is sacred and feel that it has been blessed by God. They also believe that it will cease being sacred if God’s laws on marriage are not followed. There is nothing wrong with individuals or churches defining marriage as a sacred institution, but the never-ending debate on same-sex marriage is not about what individuals or private institutions should be doing. It is a debate about how the government should treat people and how the laws on marriage should be written. The religious aspect of this is somewhat understandable, but everyone has their own beliefs. The government should separate itself from the religious institution and not base their decisions on the ideas of religion. The government has to make laws that include every individual and every individual should have equal rights and protection under the law.

Confessions of a homosexual.....

2007-10-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

The following information is from an article written by a homosexual. The essay was very interesting to read and I would like to share some of the main points that caught my attention:

People believe that homosexuals only base their relationships on sex. This is a common misconception. We as homosexuals appreciate more then just the sex; maybe more so then straight couples. We look on the inside and see one’s personal attributes and personalities. If we did not look at these things then why wouldn't we be looking at someone of the opposite sex? We see things that only we could accept as being “normal”. Attraction to another person sexually is only a minute part of the equation. Straight people should try to understand this by looking at their own relationships with those they love.
Another statement is that people attempt to say that gay marriage should not be legalized, and that heterosexual marriage has been around for a long time and should not change. These conservatives are people who want everything to stay the same and keep things the way they have always been. They are ignorant to the fact that times have changed and with that needs to be advances in society. Countless woman are thankful for change. If it were not for change, woman would still be property and will not be able to work and be in the military. Interracial marriage and divorcing was finally made illegal. Without change, our world would be a socialist country with no spontaneity or originality. Homosexuality is just an issue of acceptance, why can our society face this issue.
Some people believe that children cannot succeed without a female and a male influence as parents. Single parents thrive in our societies just as well as male and female parents do. Then they say that having gay marriage will encourage people to be gay. This is not always the case. People are “programmed” to think for themselves, people have their own their own will and their main goal in life is to be happy. People will do what will benefit them in their life. Hanging around intellectual people will not always cause you to become an intelligent person.
People think that gays spread A.I.D.S. It is a proven fact that straight people spread it more. Take a look at the statistics in Africa. They show that heterosexuals spread this deadly disease more than homosexuals.

As you can see there are many misconceptions about homosexuals, if you would like to read the entire article you can visit it by clicking here. ENJOY!

FOR GAY RIGHTS, BUT AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE?

2007-10-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

There are many Americans who believe that homosexuals should have equal rights and enjoy life the same as heterosexuals do. Although, when it comes to the gay marriage many oppose. Over fifty percent of Americans are against same-sex marriage. But, over seventy-five percent of Americans are for gay rights. In retrospect, nearly every person that is against gay marriage is for gay rights. Marriage is a right, so why are Americans against it? Many argue that gay rights and gay marriage are amongst the most controversal battles in American culture for two main reasons. Many believe that the growing acceptance of homosexuality will begin to threaten the traditional Christian norms of sex and sexuality and that marriage is not only a cultural symbol, but is used to show how heterosexuals are privileged in American systems. If America considers itself to be "equal" and "fair" then why is it putting heterosexuals on a petastool and considering homosexuals less than equal citizens and unprivileged?

TAKING A STAND... AND STANDING TALL!

2007-10-17T11:06:00.000-07:00

Why in America are citizen not given the right of marriage? Homosexuals all over the world are fighting for equal rights and fighting to get this law abolished. Instead of giving homosexuals the right to get married some states are granting homosexuals civil unions. How could that be acceptable? Civil unions are not even close to marriage. Civil unions and domestic p artnerships give some protection under the law to registered couples, but the protection and benefits are often far less than the protection of marriage. With marriage a couple is able to receive a number of legal benefits, over 1,049 federal and state level benefits. Civil union couples only receive over 300 state level benefits and receive no federal protection. Married couples can make emergency medical decisions, whereas civil union partners can only make medical decision in the registered state. Married couples can transfer gifts to each other without tax penalty, whereas civil union partners do not pay state taxes, but are required to report federal taxes. When a couple is married, in the case of the partner's death, the spouse receives any earned Social Security or veteran benefits. Civil union partners do not receive Social Security or other government benefits in case of death. According to a Human Rights Campaign Foundation Report released in January, the loss of Social Security benefits for surviving same-sex partners amount to an average loss of $5,528 per person. In case of divorce, an individual may have a legally-binding financial obligation to spouses and children. In the case of break-up between civil union partners, no such spousal or child benefits are guaranteed or required out of state. A married couple can sponsor their spouses and family members for immigration, civil union couples cannot. As you can see there is a BIG difference between marriage and a civil union. There are so many rights that are associated with marriage, and the law in infringing on these rights of homosexuals because they are not allowing them the opportunity to get married. And to think, America is sometimes referred to as "the land of opportunity"!

Most people refer to committed love, life-long partnership and marriage between a man and a woman, but why is this dream only reserved for heterosexual couples when homosexual men and women also fall in love. These same-sex couples live together and even raise children as happy families, the same as heterosexual couples. In order to have children, homosexual couples often adopt or use other methods of conceptions such as artificial insemination. It is often harder for homosexual couples to adopt children. In some states, there are also laws against gay adoption. Some adoption agencies are more gay-friendly than others. It is estimated that two per thousand same-sex couples in 96 percent of U.S. counties have children. Only seven states and the District of Columbia have laws that support gay adoption. Only 50,000 of the 120,000 children available for adoption in recent years have found homes yet groups against gay adoption seek to reduce the number of available homes based on false perception and unfounded evidence about gay parents. There is no legal reason why gays and lesbians should be denied the right to adopt children. The law only hurts children waiting to be adopted and deprives loving parents who would care for these children. If a couple has a child through artificial insemination, only the birth parent is recognized as the legal guardian. Through second-parent adoption, both parents can obtain legal custody of the child. In the states that do not allow second-parent adoption, if something happens to the custodial parent, the remaining parent, even if they have been raising the child for years, can be seen as a stranger in the eyes of the law. Because of the many laws against gay marriage even if homosexuals were to adopt they would have to face many obstacles, such as: children in gay couple households have no legal status should something happen to the parents, including death or serious illness, neither the parent or child has visitation rights if the parents separate, the child cannot claim inheritances or other household assets in case of death, if one parent dies, the second parent has no legal right to take custody or care for the child, a parent without legal right to a child cannot legally register him/her for school, parents cannot put children on some health insurance plans, parents cannot make medical decisions for the child, the child has no claim to the social security or other insurance benefits of the parent, and gay couple parents without adoption rights do not benefit from the generous tax deductions granted to heterosexual parents. Again, marriage is very important for homosexuals even if they are considering adopting a child!

The fight of equal rights under the law is happening all over the world. Many lawmakers strive to make homosexuals content by granting civil, registered or domestic partnership. But, these partnerships are not granting homosexual couples all of their rights as equal American citizens. Among the many nations of the world Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Spain recognizes and allows gay marriage. Out of fifty US states there is only one state that has defined the odds and has made history, Massachusetts. On May 17, 2004, for the first time in the United States, gay and lesbian couples were wed in a state that legally recognizes them. Why is the United States behind? The controversay between heterosexual and homosexual marriage is a never-ending debate. And the rights that are being held from these homosexual citizens are somewhat hopeless.

Many argue, "What's the point of gay marriage?". Marriage is merely more than a document stating that you are commited to a life-long partner to homosexuals, it is their lives. Without a marriage license homosexuals are forced to give up thousands of dollars of benefits each year, their rights to medical decisions of their partner, and even their rights as parents to their adopted children. The government is definitely infringing on many of its American citizens by deining them a right of marriage. I myself am not homosexual but I deeply feel the crying voices of many of homosexuals. When will this dilema end?

MARRIAGE in America, is it an unequal institution?

2007-10-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

Again, I would like to thank you guys for posting, it is greatly appreciated. To Anne, yes I was speaking of divorce rate among heterosexual couples. Homosexual couples are not even allowed to get married, so the rate of divorce in America would not include homosexuals. This alarming rate of divorce in America, which I stated in the last blog is a whopping fifty percent, shows that America is allowing anyone to get married, under any circumstance. But yet, are not allowing committed, same-sex couples this right. The information that was given was to show how heterosexual couples are taking the sacred institution of marriage for granted. It was also used to show how heterosexual couples are doing what homosexual couples could only dream of. The last blog was not intended to reduce the rate of divorce among heterosexual couples. How is that possible? It was intended to show that America does not place enough emphasis on a good, long-lasting relationship, which is obvious because half of all marriages are ending in divorce. But yet, they place emphasis on not allowing same-sex couples the right of marriage. Again, the blog was to show how the government allows any and everyone to get married except homosexuals and heterosexual couples are not taking marriage seriously. The divorce rate in America is so high because many of the people that are getting married are not even in love, and are just getting married because they can. Do not get me wrong I am not saying that if homosexual couples get married none of them are going to get divorced. I am saying homosexual couples take marriage more seriously and will not make a mockery out of it like heterosexual couples are.

IT'S MORE THAN MARRIAGE, IT'S LOVE AND LEGAL RIGHTS ATTACHED!

2007-10-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

It is understandable that many Americans fear same-sex marriage because they fear that it is going to overpower heterosexual marriage and will eventually cause heterosexual marriage in America to become a mere extinstion. This however is not true. There are only one in ten Americans who are homosexuals. Although this is a growing population, there are currently nine heterosexual marriages to every one homosexual marriage in America. So why should it be a concern? It shouldn't! If two people are in love, commited and monogomous, why are they being denied a civil union? As shown in the picture at the bottom of the page America allows anyone to get married; two strangers who had a one night stand, two drunk people in Las Vegas, reality game show contestants, celebrities looking for extra publicity, etc. but refuses to give loving, committed, same-sex couples the right of marriage. This is extreme! The divorce rate in America is currently fifty percent, five out of every ten marriages will end in divorce. Why continue this madness? If anything, there should be laws against heterosexual couples getting married: for example, they should be limited the times they get married, they should have to be together for atleast two years; not two months, etc.! But, of course many lawmakers do not view this high rate of divorce a problem. Right? Marriage is much more than just a ring and a document to homosexual couples, it is their rights or shall I say lack of rights that are also involved. If a homosexual couple has been together even for twenties years and one of the partners gets sick, the other partner cannot sign papers. Basically, they cannot do anything that deals with their partners health, important documents, legal matters or other similar situations. Homosexual couples also do not get financial benefits, etc. As you can see this is far more than just a marriage title to homosexuals, it is their life, their rights, and their responsibilities that are involved and in harms way!

If you don't like gay marriage, don't do it! But why stop those who want to?

2007-10-10T08:22:00.000-07:00

I agree with the three individuals who commented on my blog, thanks. I would first like to respond to ryn's comment. I totally agree with your statement, "If you don't like it, don't get one!". There are so many hypocritical people in America. Why should it concern the people who are not going to marry someone of the same sex? It doesn't. Regardless if there are laws against same sex marriage or not, same sex couples are going to form relationships and eventually form some type of union with each other. It is so evident that many individuals are choosing to form relationships with a person of the same sex, just look around! I am pretty sure that on your stroll to class, in the cafeteria at your school, on television or even in church sometimes, you have seen a girl that seems butch or a guy that seems feminine and more than likely those persons are homosexuals. Homosexuality is a growing trend. There are many people that are scared to come out of the "closet" because America has made it clear that many people do not accept homosexuality and believe it is not the "norm". I am a firm believer in the fact that there are far more homosexuals in America than people are aware of. In my opinion, some of the people fighting against same sex marriage may be part of the growing population of those homosexuals that are in the "closet" and plan to remain in the "closet", using their strong views against homosexuality as a cover-up scheme.

THE ARGUMENT BEGINS...

2007-10-08T10:37:00.001-07:00

There are always two sides to every story. Gay marriage in America is among many issues that have two distinct sides. The two sides consist of those who are for it and those who are totally against it. Over sixty percent of Americans believe that homosexuality is immoral and that it is a defining factor of a lack of moral values, and do not believe in it. It is evident that many Americans are narrow-minded about homosexuality mainly because of their views of the "traditional" American family, where there is a father "breadwinner", a mother "housewife", and children. Religion has proved to be a prominent factor of American views. With religious views many Americans taunt the statement that God intended man and woman, "Adam and Eve", not "Adam and Steve". Those who argue against homosexuality but do not argue in the religious aspect believe that homosexuality is wrong because men and women are together for one main purpose which is to reproduce, and homosexuality provides no means of reproduction, unless adoption is considered. Many argue against the views of reproduction saying that in order for reproduction to occur in the first place the two individuals would have to be happy together, love one another, and then children are considered, which makes children a secondary contribution to the relationship, not a defining factor. Homosexuals have overcome a lot of harsh stereotypical treatment to be with the person of the same sex, because of love! When you are in love with someone eventually you are going to want to marry them, it is the American way, everyone wants to get married. But, because so many Americans are against same sex marriage, gay marriage is not permitted in the United States except for in one state, Massachusetts. Massachusetts is the only state that has passed a law that allows homosexuals to get married and obtain a marriage license. Vermont, New York, and Connecticut are moving towards giving homosexuals the right to marry. These three states allow homosexuals to marry, but unlike Massachusetts they do not allow homosexual couples to obtain a marriage license. This is ridiculous. The views of the world are changing everyday. Why does America consider itself the "melting pot" if it excludes loving and committed same-sex couples the right to get married? In my opinion there should be no such law rejecting an Americans right to get married in this land of "freedom". In America everything is suppose to be free and accessible, so gays should be able to get married if that is what makes them happy!