Sub Topic-Same Sex Marriage - Portland State University
Sub Topic-Same Sex Marriage
Gay marriage is a highly debated subject within the LGBT movement, and while some people support the idea of marriage equality, other people are strongly against this idea. Obviously one would assume that right wing conservatives and religious fanatics are those who make up the opposition but they are not the only ones who oppose same sex marriage, surprisingly there are those within the LGBT movement who do not support it either.
Same Sex Marriage is the legal union between two people of the same sex and is legal in Belgium, Spain, Canada, the Netherlands and in the state of
Massachusetts . Same Sex Marriage is not just a means of declaring ones love and
devotion for ones partner but also comes with a lot of benefits that the
“traditional” married couple is given without hesitation. The U.S government
grants these rights to legally married couples: Access to Military Stores,
Assumption of Spouses Pension, Bereavement Leave, Immigration, Insurance Breaks,
Medical Decisions on Behalf of Partner, Sick Leave to Care for Partner, Social
Security Survivor Benefits, Tax Breaks, Veteran’s Discounts, and Visitation of
Partner In Hospital or Prison. There are also state level benefits that are
applied within the United States such as assumption of spouse’s pension,
automatic inheritance , child custody, divorce protections, domestic violence
protection, joint bankruptcy, certain property rights and many others .
Unfortunately, same sex partners are only offered these natural rights in
certain countries and states and there are many applied requirements and
restrictions such as residency. Alternatively some states allow same sex
partners to engage in what is known as a “civil union”(Vermont & Connecticut),
or “domestic partnership”(California) sadly these alternatives only grant same
sex couples to a small fraction of what legally married heterosexual couples
are given by the government . For instance same sex couples are not granted the
right of representation in every state, and because the
federal government does not acknowledge the civil union they have trouble when
filing taxes, applying for public benefits. Also it creates issues within social
security, sponsorship of a immigrating partner or the right to take leave from
work to care for a family member. As one can clearly see, gays do not have equal
protections or rights that are guaranteed and clearly stated in the U.S.
constitution. “Creating Equal access to marriage is the only fair way to ensure
equality for gay and straight couples alike.”_.
Why is Gay marriage such a controversy? First of all, those that oppose gay
marriage give strange explanations of their opposition, such as “gay
relationships are against god and are immoral” , “marriage is for the purpose of
procreation” , or “Same sex marriages threaten the institution of marriage and
its sacredness” Where all of these statements can be easily countered. First of
all, there is a supposed legal separation of church and state within the Us
Government, there for morality and or religion can not be brought into the
argument . Also, many of these religious fanatics seem to be selective in their
practice of following the bible where it also states that touching the skin of a
dead pig is unclean and a sin Lev. 11:6-8. I’m more than positive that over
half of the people who believe that homosexual activity is a sin against god
have played with a football or eaten bacon and eggs for breakfast. Obviously
things have changed since the bible has been written, society does not lock
a woman up when she is on her period Lev. 15:19-24. Nor is it legal or
acceptable to own slaves as long as they are from a neighboring country Lev
25:44. “The purpose of marriage is procreation” What about women who are
infertile ? Or men with vasectomy’s ? Do we deny them the right to get married?
Then we have the argument the marriage is sacred, well what about the drive-thru
Las Vegas chapels made for convenience not sacredness or Brittney Spears spur of
the moment wedding? Or the steadily rising divorce rates? Doesn’t that
completely destroy the sacramental aspect of marriage? How will allowing a
devoted and loving couple the human right to be legally and respectfully bound
further desecrate the blessed right of marriage? The answer is, it won’t.
Shockingly the right wing conservatives and the religious fanatics are not
the only people who oppose same sex marriage many would be surprised to learn
that there are those within the LGBT that oppose same sex marriage also. Mr.
Bill Dobbs a gay man who revels in the days of large gay communities and close
ties feels that attention surrounding the gay rights movement should be focused
elsewhere such as on the aids epidemic or the poverty crisis amongst gays. Mr.
Dobbs like many others also feels the fight for gay marriage seems to be a
uphill and tiring battle, and almost an idea forced on the gay community.
Another issue addressed by the opposition is that gay marriage seems more like
a submission to ‘normalcy” where being LGBT is not still seen as a conventional
lifestyle to all.
a website the focuses on the broader concept of marriage
communicates that in order to tackle equality in marriage for the LGBT
community we must first form alliances with other groups who deserve the equal
opportunity to be legally recognized as well. notes that all
families deserve recognition regardless of marriage, they should have the access
to the same legal and economic privileges that are given to married couples
regardless of sexual basis. There are many different kinds of families and
households such as blended families and extended families, single parent
households , adult children living with and care giving for their elderly
parents and many other types of households. also focuses on
the need for separation of church and state involving all matters including
legal recognition. It also addresses the need for freedom involving state
regulation of sexual choice, identity and expression.
Same Sex Marriage is also used as a political wedge between the different
political parties , their opposition and strong feelings toward the subject
define their party and create issue to win or lose with depending on ones
current standing.Parties of Liberals and Democrats are using this issue and the
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potential for legislation involving Constitutional amendments to change its
current standing and definition while conservatives and republicans are doing
the exact opposite, trying to ban gay marriage completely. Currently the Defense
of Marriage Act is still in play and has been since 1996 which Prevents the
courts from using the Constitution to bring same-sex marriage to states that
have rejected it. This creates a hot button topic for politically parties and
until same sex marriage is completely illegal or legalized everywhere it will
continue to play a huge role in politics and society in general.
Overall Same sex marriage holds a lot of controversy and will continue to be
debated throughout the LGBT movement. Although we can conclude that those
involved in the LGBT movement whatever their position be regarding same sex
marriage feel they are supporting the right principle.
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