In our federal system, each state is empowered to determine for itself the many rules and regulations that govern our day to day lives. Over the last several years, some states have outlawed same-sex couples from getting married. An equal number have legalized gay marriage. In all, six states now have legalized that controversial act.
For some, this patchwork of laws is confusing and they insist that there should be some consistency across the nation. Some have proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would specifically define marriage as between a man and a woman. Others have hoped for a Supreme Court ruling that would declare existing state laws that prohibit gay marriage as unconstitutional. Others, who support same-sex marriage, feel that the federal approach works best for them because most national polls indicate that a majority Americans oppose it.
Supporters seek to have gay couples treated equally under the law and subject to the same benefits that heterosexual couples receive:
They point out, for instance, that homosexual couples who have been together for years often find themselves without the basic rights and privileges that are currently enjoyed by heterosexual couples who legally marry - from the sharing of health and pension benefits to hospital visitation rights.
Opponents argue that:
that marriage between a man and a woman is the bedrock of a healthy society because it leads to stable families and, ultimately, to children who grow up to be productive adults. Allowing gay and lesbian couples to wed, they contend, will radically redefine marriage and further weaken it at a time when the institution is already in serious trouble due to high divorce rates and a significant number of out-of-wedlock births.
Should gay couples be afforded the same rights as heterosexual couples? Are we better served a state by state approach as exists now? Or should there be some unifying national consensus on this issue?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Same sex SHOULD be allowed to get married. They should be allowed that right at the federal level. If it is only allowed state by state than another state could choose to not recognize the marriage if the couple moves. Same sex couples’ marrying DOES not ruin or weaken the institute of marriage. Yes there will be divorces, but I am sure that the rate would not be able to climb much higher than the approximately 50% rate that it is now! People that oppose same sex marriage are usually scared that they may "catch gay" or they are ignorant about same sex relationships. They are no different than heterosexual relationships. Yes some gays/lesbians are promiscuous but then again so are many heterosexuals.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Michelle that states should allow same sex marriages. I don't understand why people get so heated about this topic. Them being gay or lesbian is not hurting anyone. I believe they should have the same benefits as heterosexual couples. These people are no different than us, they lead normal productive lives. The only thing different is who they choose to love. I find it funny that people are actually scared of this matter. We worry about this stuff for no reason. It's not affecting anyone, or hurting anyone so why do we care so much? There will be divorces, but there always will be and nothing is going to change that. The divorce rate is high, but laws or government can't change that. I think until something is going to be affecting us in our lives we should legalize same sex marriages.
ReplyDeleteOf course they should be able to get married. Love is a strange thing and sometimes it happens between people of the same sex. It isn't gross and nowadays it isn't rare. Some of these people feel bad enough about being gay, like it's a huge sin against God. So I think they should be able to get married just for the simple fact that marriage kind of makes up for the fact that they are gay. They just want to feel like everyone else. I personally think that they make better couples than straight people. Let them live their lives and as long as they aren't bothering you to be gay or do anything with them, then there isn't a problem.
ReplyDeleteI am strong in my faith as a christian and feel that in the eyes of God a marriage only exists between a man and woman. I do agree that you find love in strange places, but I will never understand a gay relationship, as I am not gay. I am not condeming them nor condoning, I just do not understand. In nature you do not see gay relationships as God intended for only man and woman to be together. Although from a political stand point, I feel they should be recognized as any other unified relationship. They deserve the same rights as any other American. They didnt choose to fall in love with the same sex. And as far as stable environments for children, I feel the gay community would provide a better environment than a lot of heterosexual relationships for a couple reasons, for one if they are having children they are choosing to do so and the children would not be "accidents" and therefore better prepared for both financially and emotionally. Another reason would be that they would grow up learning to accept whats not always looked at as normal, they would grow up learning tolerance as much of America lacks.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I really could care less either way (seeing how VA's stance on the matter isn't going to change for a long time, as well as I ain't gay). Is it part of the "pursuit of happiness"? Sure, so it's a right for Americans. Some people think the other way, but it's a free country so anybody can think whatever they want. I'm thinking that the best way to keep the most people happy is a compromise. Give same-sex couples a form of legal partnership that is the equivalent to a marriage, they get all the tax stuff, the health care coverage, and all the retirement stuff that a legal marriage gets (which to me is the biggest issue). That way everybody gets what they want; opponents get the "it's not marriage" aspect, and proponents get the "it's everything that marriage is, except the name" part. Everybody wins.
ReplyDeleteReally I mean people can not help who they "fall in love with", come on-there are people who fall in love with later criminals, or drunks,etc. I dont think same sex marriages should be "banded" from states, dont really agree with same-sex marriages. I do believe in God and believe he made man and women for each other not men for men and women for women, but at the same time there is a lot more other topics that I do not agree with that should be more important or more to worry about than this. I think that all states should allow same-sex marriage, I mean they allow criminals or murders to have rights why not allow gay people.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Aimee. I too believe that in the eyes of God a marriage only exists between a man and a woman. While this is my faith, I do not think people who choose otherwise should be judged or treated any differently than anyone else.
ReplyDelete