In 1996 former President Bill Clinton enacted the "Defense of Marriage Act". This piece of legislation has two jobs: first to ensure that no state shall be required to give effect to the law of any other state with respect to same-sex marriage. Secondly, it defines the words "marriage" and "spouse" for the Federal law (Defense of Marriage Act). In short this act made it so that the States could decide whether they would allow gay marriages or not. Also, it defines marriage as a legal union between a man and a woman as a husband and a wife. A sound was defined as a husband or a wife of the opposite sex.
Several cities and states have adopted the "domestic partner" law. This gives same-sex couples some of the benefits of a husband and wife marriage without actually being married. (So you want to know about gay marriage) In 1999 there was a breakthrough Supreme Court case; Baker v. State of Vermont. This case stated that "the state is constitutionally required to extend to the same-sex couples the common benefits and protections that flow from marriage under Vermont law. (So you want to know about gay marriage) Today there are many people who are fighting to get homosexuals the rights and privileges they deserve. There are campaigns, meetings, marches, etc. and the people participating in these events will not fade, they will only grow. Human Rights Campaign held a survey in America to see their stance on gay rights. 51% of citizens said they support allowing same-sex couples to form civil unions and to receive the same basic legal rights as married couples. 52% opposed amending the Constitution. According to a Gallup Poll, 60% of Americans support giving homosexuals the same rights as a married couple, regarding health care and Social Security benefits. Also, the poll found that Catholics were, surprisingly, split down the middle, 48% for and 48% against equal rights. In addition, in past polls, 90% have shown that they support hospital visitation rights and 66% support inheritance rights (Oppose the Discriminatory "Federal Anti-Marriage Amendment"). Progress is slowly coming around, as of today, there are 30,000 legal homosexual marriages in the world and the number is growing. And shockingly, San Francisco is only third on the list with 3955 marriages. The majority of the marriages took place in Canada. However, the marriages that took place in the United States were held in a few day spans when gay marriage was legal and were later voted void by the Supreme Court (Hanson). Gay marriage supporters are all waiting patiently for gay couples to stand out and go against the grain. (Oppose the Discriminatory "Federal Anti-Marriage Amendment").
1. Intro
2. Unnatural
a. Interracial marriages
3. Gay people in public
a. You do not know people around you.
b. No physical harm
c. Permission
4. Amendment
a. Bush
b. Violations
c. History of amendments
d. What the amendment involves
5. Pro-family
6. Adoption
a. One parent concept
7. Extremists
a. Religious
b. Homophobes
c. Republicans
1. Benefits
8. History
a. Clinton and the "Defense of Marriage Act"
b. Domestic Partner Law
c. Baker v. State of Vermont
9. Progress
a. Statistics
b. Marriages
10. Closing
"Defense of Marriage Act" Lectric Law Library. 1996. 12/09/04 http://www.lectlaw.com/files/leg23.htm. "Gay Rights". Speakout.com 12/09/04 http://speakout.com/activism/gayrights/.
"Hanson". Room 321 12/16/04
"On the Issues". On the Issues. 12/09/04 http://www.issues2000.org/George_W__Bush.htm#Gay_Rights. "Oppose the Discriminatory Federal Anti-Marriage Amendment'". Human Rights Campaign. 12/09/04 http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Federal_Constitutional_Marriage_Amendment&CONTENTID=20767&TEMPLATE=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm. "So You Wanna Know About Gay Marriage". Soyouwant to
.com. 12/09/04 http://soyouwant to
.com/site/pros_cons/gaymarriage/gaymarriage.html.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Just because someone doesn’t love the same way as you do does not make them wrong or make them crazy, it makes them unique. Majority of people around the world feel that marriage should be between a man and a woman and that gays should not have that right because they believe being gay is morally wrong. If being gay is morally wrong then why are their gay people? That is like saying being white is morally wrong. People honestly who believe this don’t really stop and think outside the box and think that what is in the bible is right. If you look at the ethical reason behind why people believe that gay marriage is wrong, it is purely due to discrimination. There are no real reasons why gay marriage should not be allowed, there are only reasons based on opinions, and one's own bias reasoning.…
- 2488 Words
- 10 Pages
Better Essays -
Opponents of same-sex marriage argue that marriage is a union between a man and a woman and they view anything else as morally wrong. They claim that homosexual marriage is unconstitutional and would destroy the sanctity of marriage. I believe that gays and lesbians should have the right to marry legally; it would allow them to have several legal benefits, such as medical coverage and pension rights. These same marital rights are given to heterosexual couples, so why would homosexual couples be deprived? I believe that the government should not interfere in personal matters such as marriage. In the United States alone there are over eighty-four major religions that are practiced. Why is it that many of the laws that this country enforce is…
- 606 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Gay marriages have been one of the hottest and controversial topics in our society. There are still problems concerning this issue of homosexuality and gay marriages. Same sex marriages are legal in Hawaii, but in all other states couples must be of the opposite sex to form a marriage. Hawaii’s decision to legalize same sex marriages is considered a milestone victory for gays and may cause a ripple affect for similar action in other states. Those who support gay marriages justify their position by the concept of love. These supporters of gay marriages feel as though gay people are being deprived of their right to love. Many people believe that gay people deserve the right to love and to take that love and form a marriage. These people believe that gays want to feel justified, meaning that as a couple they should be able to define their own marriage for themselves and make their own set of rules. Supports of same-sex marriages feel as though homosexuals are being deprived of their God given right to get married. They believe that arguments against same sex marriages are unconstitutional, and they simply do not justify a ban on same sex marriages. It is not the idea of two people of the same sex getting married that frightens people so much, but it is the thought of change and the fact that the federal government will redefine marriage to allow same sex unions. When people picture the results of same sex marriages, they see images of unstable homes. Everyone would probably agree that homosexuality has changed our society, and legalizing same sex marriages is not likely to be an exception. It would be an injustice to discriminate against a person if he or she were…
- 305 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
There have been many arguments over the years against same-sex marriage. “Marriage should only be between a man and a woman.” “It’s a sin.” “If we allow gay people to marry, what will we have to allow next?” All of these are not very convincing arguments if you ask me. There are a lot of people that go to great lengths to prevent this from becoming legal and my question is: Why do they care so much about what other people do with their lives? Everyone should have the right to marry whoever they love; it doesn’t matter if they’re of the same gender. It’s not like it affects them in any way. Not only by allowing same-sex marriage will we be giving a right to people that shouldn’t be fighting for it in the first place, but it also helps other people. Many opponents say that gay couples are not qualified to raise children, since according to them, a home with homosexual parents wouldn’t be a stable place for kids. By legalizing gay marriage it makes it easier for couples to adopt kids; kids that otherwise would be living in orphanages without a family to take care of them. Accepting it would teach a lot of people that is not right to discriminate against anyone. It would set an example for people to be understanding and teach them that everyone has the right to be happy with whoever they want. What it comes down to is that gay people are just like the rest of us, they deserve the same rights as everyone else. We can start by accepting and respecting those who are different from us, skin color, gender, sexual preference, height, size. None of that should matter because are all human beings, we should be tolerant and acceptant of those around us so the world can be a better…
- 322 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
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 apart.” It shouldn’t matter if the couple doesn’t fit into what society is used to. People should not feel that they have to use legal maneuvers instead of marriage. When states do not allow homosexual couples to get married, they become forced to either move to another state, or become a civil union. None of those two options are practical, since the only outcome the couple wants is to be…
- 754 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Same sex marriage is considered a "slippery slope" that could potentially lead to other things such as incest, polygamy, and bestiality. The original purpose of marriage was to procreate. Since homosexuals can't have children, they are only doing it for their own gratification. It also promotes the gay lifestyle which studies show leads to a lower life expectancy, psychological problems, and other problems.…
- 624 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
My personal views on this issue changed a few years ago when watching the TV broadcast and something came up about the right for gays to marry. Previously I was personally indifferent but felt that marriage was as much a religious institution as a civil institution. After all, most marriages are performed by clergy and the majority are in religious settings. I felt that civil union met the needs of gays so why offend the religions? Then I saw an older woman interviewed and she had explained that she and her partner had been waiting 30 or 40 year for this day. They have lived together as a family and wanted to be married. That's about as successful as a married couple can be, still wanting to be married after all that time! And I thought, all Americans are entitled to their own pursuit of happiness. Gays who buy into a system of family values should have the same family rights as others. I also used to get grossed out when I hear same sex marriage, but then I look at Ellen DeGeneres, for example, she is the sweetest the person that could be. Opinions about same sex marriage crossed out so many times and places as well as thru out the years. Many say that time is changing and over the years people slowly will accept the gay marriage.…
- 627 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
One of the reasons homosexuals have began to voice their opinion on this issue is because of human rights and freedoms. According to the United Nation of Human rights, human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic origin and religious view etc. Everyone has the same right and freedom to do what they want, as long as it does not cause harm to the society, and decision made by others should be respected.…
- 351 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Other people who oppose gay marriage agree with former President George W. Bush, that “marriage between a man and a woman are the pillars of western civilization” and cite that to allow the meaning of marriage to change would bring down God’s wrath upon the United States. They also believe that children would suffer, that the traditional family would be destroyed, that public schools will embrace homosexuality and teach it to children, that adoption laws would become obsolete and children would grow up without a mother or father, which would inflict irreparable damage on the child. Some who oppose are afraid that their religious freedoms may be lost. To some, these reasons may seem outlandish, bigoted, unfounded, and just plain idiotic, but for those who oppose, they are valid and are seen as a threat to a lifestyle in which they find comfort. However, just because someone believes something, doesn’t make it true, and a…
- 3707 Words
- 15 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Religion is one of the main reasons some people do not like the idea of homosexuals having the right to marry. One of the most used arguments about the issue is that God says that same-sex interactions (marriage, sex, lesbian, homosexual acts) are an abomination. How could it be an abomination if people are being themselves? Why would God only hate homosexuals if it says that he loves everyone? The fact that homosexuals will threaten religion is wrong. Some homosexuals follow the Bible that says that God does not love them, but they follow it nonetheless. The church would not be forced to marry homosexuals. They have the right to turn anyone down. Another thing that is said is that homosexuals could just become straight and then get married. Is that fair to make someone love or be with someone they do not feel attracted to?…
- 254 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Interracial marriage became a big concern in the late 1960’s in the case of Loving v. Virginia. With the segregation movement still into play it was an unlikely thing to see two people of the opposite race getting married. Interracial marriages have had a hard period. They suffered not only from the prejudice of others, but also from inherent problems of differences between their respective cultures which combine with those already present in a marriage. As years progressed the law was passed so that people of the opposite race would be able to marry legally. Decades later the same issue arises but with a different stand point which would be same sex marriage.…
- 879 Words
- 4 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
E. Review points- Society and naysayers’ have given several reasons for their stance against same-sex marriage, including ones such as; pro-creation, “morality”, certain political aspects, and the biggest of all religion. However, activist and the rest of society defend gay marriage as our natural and constitutional rights.…
- 1050 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Our civil rights and the Constitution give us many liberties. One of our civil liberties is the pursuit of happiness, which homosexual people are not allowed to chase. They cannot be married to the person they love and it violates their freedoms. Although marriage is generally a marriage between a male and a female, but if we have requirements in terms of explicit sex marriage too . Those things will impact on the rights and freedoms of the individual. There is a sense of each person is more important than the feelings of the masses . The love that is not damaged anyone .In the case of same sex Everyone has a right to same -sex love. Marriage , too, Marriage is a civil rights and mutual acceptance between two people. They should have the freedom of love. And should have the right to choose a spouse to live together. In today's changing world, is seen regularly in each subject every situation. We are able to change everything clearly. Whether anything. Changes in sexuality as well. The sex is more natural crunch. Surely there must be people who agree and disagree. Because homosexuality will affect the people who are friends of the opposite sex. The impact of the global population. Of the human species Or mental condition of the individual as…
- 980 Words
- 4 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
There are many reasons why same-sex marriage should be legalised. As a general rule, not just for gays, we shouldn’t have to suffer because a few people do not like something. How would you feel if there was this one thing that you loved doing but society look down on you for it, they shunned you for being happy and forced you into the repetitive, boring life that everyone has to live? Honestly, how can we claim to be free when we view someone as less than a person for who they are attracted to? People, they tell you that you should be your self, an individual and pursue your dreams, pursue happiness. Those same people then judge you and force a life that’s conforms by their “normal” upon you. What is normal? It differs with everyone and every place.…
- 886 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Gay marriage is one of the most controversial issues in the modern world. For the past thousand years, marriage has been recognized as the social union between a man and a woman. In most cultures across the globe, homosexuality was viewed with disdain, and marriages between same-sex couples were forbidden.…
- 545 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays