Gay Marriage Must Be Legal

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Legal marriage is the right of all Americans regardless of their sexual orientation. Gay marriage is certainly a hot button issue. It invokes an emotional dialogue filled with passion, rage, hate and fear. However, at the base of it all, are two people who are in a committed relationship living normal and productive lives and contributing to society in a positive manner. This issue is being debated in every state of the union, and will eventually go to the Supreme Court. Gay people want to formalize their relationship and gain some of the legal standing and support that is given to heterosexual couples on a daily basis. Sadly, in most of this country, gay people are denied this right and not allowed to participate in what is a natural right for most other Americans. Efforts by NYS legislatures or Executive Orders by Governors to grant gay and lesbian people rights (i.e. non discrimination in hiring, housing or public accommodations) have been challenged by the right using public referendums. Putting the rights of gays and lesbians, or any minority, up to a vote by the majority places any minority at a disadvantage, and gay rights have usually come up short. In 1992, Colorado voters approved Amendment 2 to the state constitution by a narrow margin (54% to 47%). According to the U.S. Supreme Court decision, it would have prohibited "all legislative, executive, or judicial action at any level of state or local government designed to protect the status of persons based on their 'homosexual, lesbian or bisexual orientation, conduct, practices or relationships'." The US Supreme Court overturned Colorado’s Amendment 2. The majority opinion issued by Justice Kennedy concluded the following: "Based on this analysis of the potentia... ... middle of paper ... ...Jan 3, 2009) Garden State Equality; In New Jersey, a Blue-Ribbon State Government Commission Tells Governor Corzine and the Legislature: It's Time to Enact Marriage Equality, Pediatrics Week, (Pages 23 -26) Berall, F. S. Estate Planning, (Dec 2010) Update on Evolving Legal Status of Same-Sex Marriages, 37.12: (Pages 21-30) Bidstrip, S., Date Unknown, on-line in hypertext, Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives "Romer v. Evans." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Retrieved February 21, 2011 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437703853.html Stoddard, T, Fein, B, (Jan. 1990) Gay Marriage, Personal relationships, Marriage, Legislation, Homosexuality, American Bar Association, (Pages 42, 42) Viscusi, G. and Smith, H. (2011, Jan. 29). France Has Power to Ban Same-Sex Marriage. The Gazette (Montreal, Que), p. A2

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