Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
pros and cons of same sex marriage
on american equality
pros and cons of same sex marriage
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: pros and cons of same sex marriage
Equal Rights for All
What is marriage? Recently, people argue with respect to the definition of marriage. The definition of the word marriage is a topic that often comes up when discussing same-sex marriages. To get married is a very important event for almost everyone. Many people believe that getting married to the one whom he or she loves is natural. However, what do you think if you cannot get married to him or her because it is socially unacceptable? There are numerous opinions and standing views on same-sex marriage. The argument regarding same-sex marriage should be legalized or not is extremely controversial.
The argument against same sex marriage is one founded in religion and personal values. As the majority of religions deem homosexuality as a sin, those opposing do not want to formally recognize a relationship or lifestyle they see as sinful and wrong. They argue that same-sex marriages undermine the institution of marriage itself because the institution of marriage should apply only to unions between one man and one woman. They believe allowing same-sex marriages will only lead to continued decline of moral value in America.
Proponents argue that homosexuals should have access to the same marriage benefits and public acknowledgment enjoyed by heterosexual couples and that prohibiting same-sex marriage is unconstitutional discrimination. They have built their arguments around the concept of equality in America. As this country was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, they believe it is hypocritical to deny the rights of homosexuals.
One thing to keep in mind is that marriage is a special thing and should be entitled to everyone. The only thing that matters in a marriage is love and anyone is ...
... middle of paper ...
...Stacey M., et al. "Attitudes Toward Gay Marriage In States Undergoing Marriage Law Transformation." Journal Of Marriage & Family 70.2 (2008): 345-359. Education Source. Web. 1 Apr. 2014.
Goetting, Nathan. "Gay Marriage Is A Fundamental Right." National Lawyers Guild Review 70.3 (2013): 137-144. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Apr. 2014.
Mayo, David J., and Martin Gunderson. "The Right To Same-Sex Marriage: A Critique Of The Leftist Critique." Journal Of Social Philosophy 31.3 (2000): 326-337. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Apr. 2014.
Sanders, Steve. "The Constitutional Right To (Keep Your) Same-Sex Marriage." Michigan Law Review 110.8 (2012): 1421-1481. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Apr. 2014.
Strasser, Mark. "Same-Sex Marriage And The Right To Privacy." Journal Of Law & Family Studies 13.1 (2011): 117-150. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Apr. 2014.
Abstract On June 26, 2015 a divided Supreme Court ruled in the landmark case Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex couples could now marry nationwide. At the time of the split ruling there were 9 supreme court justices, 5 of the justices were Republicans, and the remaining 4 were Democrats. In high profile cases it is except that the justices will vote along party lines. When the 5-4 ruling was reveled by the following statement. “It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right (Corn,2015).” written by
Wolf, Richard. “Timeline: Same-Sex marriage through the years.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 26 June 2015,
Soule, S. A. (2004). Going to the Chapel? Same Sex Marriage Bans in the United States. Social Problems, 453-477.
Shulman, Sam. "Sam Shulman -- Gay Marriage -- and Marriage." OrthodoxyToday.org |. Commentary Magazine, Nov. 2003. Web. 31 May 2010. .
The ruling of Baehr vs. Lewin was a victory for gay rights activists, hope for other states searching for the same freedom, and disappointment for opponents of same-sex marriage. Yet this victory was short lived (until complete legalization in November 13, 2013) since the state appealed the lower court’s decis...
NeJaime, Douglas. "Marriage Inequality: Same-Sex Relationships, Religious Exemptions, and The Production of Sexual Orientation Discrimination." California Law Review100.5 (Oct2012): 1169-1238. Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.
A debate is raging in America about who people have a right to marry. In response to lesbians and gays asking for the right to marry, many legislators are writing laws to ban same-sex marriage in their respective states. Even President Bush supports a Constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage (prez.bush.marriage/). Opponents of such legislation do not want discrimination passed into law and are protesting at every opportunity. One must understand the reasons that people want to ban same-sex marriage before he or she can effectively argue about the subject. Many advocates of same-sex marriage bans say that allowing gays and lesbians to marry would degrade the institution of marriage because marriage is only supposed to exist between a man and woman. In addition, allowing same-sex marriage would cause problems for society (Issues and Controversies on File). One theory why opponents may fight against same-sex marriages is that heterosexual marriages have long reinforced traditional gender roles within marriage and that allowing same-sex marriages would cause males to lose their authority to subordinate females as heterosexual couples begin to model same-sex marriage gender equality (Calhoun 157).
Newton, D. E. (2010). Same-sex Marriage : A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood Publishing Group.
Winn, P. (2003). Q&A: why not same-sex marriage. Citizen Link. Retrieved April 25, 2004, from http://www.family.org/cforum/feature/a0028908.cfm
Spedale, Darren. Gay Marriage: For Better or For Worse? What We've Learned From the Evidence. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006. Print.
Same-sex marriage is one of the leading political topics in the United States today. There is an ongoing dispute pertaining to the legalization of same-sex marriages. America has shifted its head to focusing on supporting same-sex marriage or not. Many are for and against this topic but there has been no settlement for it yet. Homosexuals want to marry for the same reason that heterosexuals have and there should be no reason why they are not allowed to. There is some history behind this topic but there has yet to be a solution.
Stoddard, Thomas. “Gay Marriage: Make Them Legal”. Current Issues and Enduring Questions. Pages 31 – 52. Bedford Books. Boston. 1996
Stoddard, T, Fein, B, (Jan. 1990) Gay Marriage, Personal relationships, Marriage, Legislation, Homosexuality, American Bar Association, (Pages 42, 42)
Redlingshafer, JoEllen. "The LGBT Movement Must Look Past Gay Marriage." Policymic. Policymic, 2013. Web. 23 Sept. 2013.
In society, the people that constitute marriage are the policy makers in our government. Unfortunately, marriage is a privilege and not a right. In some states, homosexuals are not allowed to get married (Lamanna and Reidmann, pg. 276). Although people in s...