Same-Sex+Marriage

= Same-Sex Marriage  =

As defined in the Encyclopedia Britannica, same-sex marriage is the practice of marriage between two males or two females. Although the institution of marriage between male and female partners has been regulated through law, religion, and custom in most countries of the world, the legal and social responses to same-sex marriage have ranged from celebration on the one hand to criminalization on the other (2008). This definition helps paint a complex picture of how same-sex marriage is viewed in society. Many people support LGBT (lesbian-gay-bisexual-transsexual) rights and fight for the legality of same-sex marriage, while others that hold prejudices lead an opposition in the community. Proponents state that marriage is an expression of love and commitment and denying that to anybody creates an air of second-class citizenship, while opponents say that allowing same-sex marriage would undermine the institution of marriage itself. With marriage comes legal benefits, privileges and rights, and same-sex couples are denied these benefits in most parts of the world. LGBT rights have changed dramatically in the past fifty years, and the legality of same-sex marriage has only been a hot topic for about a decade now in the United States. It is not recognized federally, but a few states issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

States that currently issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples (NCSL, 2011):

-Massachusetts in 2003

-Connecticut in 2008

-Iowa in 2009

-New Hampshire in 2009

-Vermont in 2009

-(and most recently) District of Columbia in 2010

In February 2011, President Obama, directed the Justice Department to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act — the 1996 law that bars federal recognition of same-sex marriages — against lawsuits challenging it as unconstitutional (“Same-Sex Marriage,” 2011). This is a recent change that has sparked mild interest in both proponent and opponent groups. States have been legalizing same-sex marriages increasingly since Massachusetts in 2003, and this change seems to be the trend across the country, but talk of eventually changing the Constitution seems to be a ways off still.

** Various Controversies **

 * Religion: ** Many religions criticize same-sex marriage and view it as immoral. In a USA Today article, Pope Benedict XVI called same-sex marriage one of the most "insidious and dangerous" threats facing the world today (2010). This is an extreme comment made and helps demonstrate the polar opinions in regards to same-sex marriage. As shown, Roman Catholics (among others) frown upon same-sex marriage. But there is differing opinion even within the Christian community, whereas some people think same-sex marriage is against God’s will, while others think that denying someone this right would be going against the equalities we have as people. It is like this across many religions and this issue is at the core of the ongoing debate.


 * Educating Children about Same-Sex Couples: ** Opponents of same-sex marriage are afraid that if it were to be legalized, then it would become commonplace in the curriculum at schools; talking about heterosexual and homosexual couples on an equal field. A U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that "public schools are not obliged to shield students from ideas which are potentially offensive to their parents" (Cohen, 2008). So although some parents may think that the education of same-sex marriage undermines their rights as parents over their child’s education, it is legally acceptable and could potentially help foster more open-minded thinking.


 * Children of Same-Sex Couples: ** In 2008, about 116,000 same-sex couples across the country were raising a total of about 250,000 children under age 18. This number is large enough to consider the impact that same-sex couples have on raising children. Recently, a child of a[[image:Kasey.jpg width="265" height="147" align="right" caption="Figure 1: Kasey Nicholson-McFadden (middle) at the State House in New Jersey"]] same-sex couple, Kasey Nicholson-McFadden, spoke out, ““It doesn’t bother me to tell kids my parents are gay,” he said in a clear voice. “It does bother me to say they aren’t married. It makes me feel that our family is less than their family” (Wildman, 2010). Kids like Kasey are speaking out all across the United States in an effort to spread the word and legalize same-sex marriage. An argument that opponents pose is that children would benefit better when being raised by a biological mother and father rather than same-sex parents, but studies have shown that children of same-sex parents do not differ from the children of heterosexual parents in terms of their psychosocial development, their gender development and their gender identity (Herek, 2006). A movie that recently came out called, “The Kids are All Right” portrayed a family of four; two children with their parents being a lesbian couple. It shed light on this subject in a way that touched the masses and showed how no matter what gender your parents are; the family dynamic is still there.


 * Communication about Same-Sex Marriage **

Obviously, there are many problems and controversies surrounding this issue, but change is always possible. Communication lines need to be opened and people need to engage in proactive conversations. The way to protect same-sex couples’ right to marry is to talk about it. It’s important to put a face on the issue. “If people tell their stories, that breaks down the rhetoric,” said Kate Varnum of Cedar Rapids. “If people hear the stories they can get past that” (Gravelle, 2011). Opening communication lines amongst each other can present positive benefits in this fight for rights. To generate change, it’s key to start in the communities and work their way up. It’s imperative to change beliefs before laws can be changed and amendments can be ratified.


 * Pride Parades **

Pride parades are held in various cities, states, countries and continents across the globe. They help the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community celebrate their culture and are also held as demonstrations for their rights, most importantly towards the legalization of same-sex marriage. The first march took place on November 2, 1969, in New York City, and it was only a stepping-stone to the parades that have occurred in the past decade. The fervor around LGBT rights has grown and these parades are a symbol of community; whether gay or straight, and standing up for one’s own beliefs.


 * References **

National Conference of State Legislatures. (2011) //Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships.// Retrieved April 9, 2011, from http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=16430

Herek, G.M. (2006). Legal recognition of same-sex relationships in the United States: A social science perspective. //American Psychologist//, //61//, 607-621.

Cohen, A. (2008). //If Gay Marriage Is Allowed, Will Schools Promote It?.// Retrieved April 9, 2011, from []

Pope: Abortion, gay marriage among world's greatest threats. (2010). //USA Today.// Retrieved April 9, 2011, from []

Wildman, S. (2011). Children Speak for Same-Sex Marriage. //The New York Times//, Retrieved April 9, 2011, from []

Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions, and Domestic Partnerships. (2011). //The New York Times//, Retrieved April 9, 2011, from []

Gravelle, S. (2011). [|Communication key to protecting same-sex marriage, supporters say]. //The Gazette//, Retrieved April 9, 2011, from

http://thegazette.com/2011/03/23/communication-key-to-protecting-same-sex-marriage-supporters-say/

Same-Sex Marriage. (n.d.). //© Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.//. Retrieved April 11, 2011, from Dictionary.com website: [|http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/same-sex marriage]