Home > Honors Theses, 1990-2015 > 1746
Same-sex marriage: a fundamental right.
Stefen Smith , University of Central Florida
Same-sex marriage is a subject that has been heavily discussed and argued since the concept of marriage came into existence. Marriage is a relationship that most American citizens are entitled to although it is not yet a fundamental right. As of a very recent court decision, Strawser v. Strange, Civil Action No. 14-0424-CG-C1 finalized on February 9, 2015, Alabama has legalized same-sex marriage; furthermore, thirty-seven states now recognize the legality of same-sex marriage. Marriage, whether it is between a heterosexual or a homosexual couple, should be a fundamental right enjoyed by all. This thesis will explain why same-sex marriage should be a fundamental right. The research presented in this thesis will be scrutinized and thoroughly examined showing the obstacles that same-sex couples face when wanting to legally marry. The United States Constitution, the Due Process Clause, and the Equal Protection Clause will be analyzed and discussed to prove that all fifty states should allow same-sex couples to wed. Citizens view what constitutes a marriage differently depending on their upbringing and residence. This thesis will illustrate why same-sex marriage has been such a widely discussed topic, and it will investigate the influence of religion and the church. Historically, the tradition of marriage has always been between one man and one woman. By examining how the tradition of marriage is changing and using case law decisions, an argument can be formed that marriage should be a fundamental right for all people.
If this is your Honors thesis, and want to learn how to access it or for more information about readership statistics, contact us at [email protected]
Naccarato-Fromang, Gina
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
College of Health and Public Affairs
Legal Studies
Dissertations, Academic -- Health and Public Affairs; Health and Public Affairs -- Dissertations, Academic
Open Access
Document type.
Honors in the Major Thesis
Smith, Stefen, "Same-Sex Marriage: A Fundamental Right" (2015). HIM 1990-2015 . 1746. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015/1746
Since October 01, 2015
Legal Studies Commons
Advanced Search
Home | About | FAQ | My Account | Accessibility Statement
Privacy Copyright
Downloadable content.
Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Visibility | Actions |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020-03-23 | Public | |||
2020-05-04 | Public |
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Read our research on:
Full Topic List
Read Our Research On:
Public opinion on same-sex marriage, attitudes on same-sex marriage by political party identification, attitudes on same-sex marriage by religious affiliation, attitudes on same-sex marriage among key demographic groups, attitudes on same-sex marriage.
In Pew Research Center polling in 2004, Americans opposed same-sex marriage by a margin of 60% to 31%.
Support for same-sex marriage has steadily grown over the past 15 years. And today, support for same-sex marriage remains near its highest point since Pew Research Center began polling on this issue. Based on polling in 2019, a majority of Americans (61%) support same-sex marriage, while 31% oppose it.
Same-sex marriage overall
% of U.S. adults who favor/oppose same-sex marriage (2001-2019)
Year | Favor | Oppose |
---|---|---|
2001 | 35% | 57% |
2003 | 32% | 59% |
2004 | 31% | 60% |
2005 | 36% | 53% |
2006 | 35% | 55% |
2007 | 37% | 54% |
2008 | 39% | 51% |
2009 | 37% | 54% |
2010 | 42% | 48% |
2011 | 46% | 44% |
2012 | 48% | 43% |
2013 | 50% | 43% |
2014 | 52% | 40% |
2015 | 55% | 39% |
2016 | 55% | 37% |
2017 | 62% | 32% |
2019 | 61% | 31% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Three-quarters of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (75%) and fewer than half of Republicans and Republican leaners (44%) favor same-sex marriage.
More independents who lean toward the Democratic Party (81%) favor gay marriage than Democrats (71%). Similarly, Republican leaners are more supportive (56%) than Republicans (37%).
Support for same-sex marriage now stands at 88% among self-described liberal Democrats and Democratic leaners and 64% among conservative and moderate Democrats. Fewer conservative Republicans and Republican leaners (36%) support same-sex marriage than moderate and liberal Republicans (59%).
% of U.S. adults who favor same-sex marriage, by political party identification (2001-2019)
Year | Rep/Lean Rep | Dem/Lean Dem |
---|---|---|
2001 | 23% | 45% |
2003 | 24% | 44% |
2004 | 19% | 43% |
2005 | 20% | 49% |
2006 | 20% | 47% |
2007 | 20% | 49% |
2008 | 23% | 51% |
2009 | 21% | 51% |
2010 | 27% | 55% |
2011 | 35% | 57% |
2012 | 30% | 63% |
2013 | 33% | 62% |
2014 | 37% | 67% |
2015 | 38% | 69% |
2016 | 38% | 70% |
2017 | 47% | 76% |
2019 | 44% | 75% |
% of U.S. adults who favor same-sex marriage, by political party (detailed, 2001-2019)
Year | Republican | Lean Rep | Lean Dem | Democrat |
---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | 21% | 29% | 53% | 43% |
2003 | 22% | 29% | 48% | 43% |
2004 | 17% | 23% | 47% | 40% |
2005 | 19% | 24% | 60% | 45% |
2006 | 17% | 27% | 55% | 43% |
2007 | 18% | 25% | 52% | 48% |
2008 | 19% | 31% | 55% | 50% |
2009 | 19% | 25% | 54% | 50% |
2010 | 24% | 32% | 59% | 53% |
2011 | 27% | 45% | 59% | 56% |
2012 | 25% | 38% | 66% | 62% |
2013 | 29% | 40% | 69% | 59% |
2014 | 30% | 47% | 72% | 64% |
2015 | 32% | 48% | 74% | 66% |
2016 | 33% | 46% | 70% | 70% |
2017 | 40% | 57% | 82% | 73% |
2019 | 37% | 56% | 81% | 71% |
% of U.S. adults who favor same-sex marriage, by political party and ideology (2001-2019)
Year | Cons Rep/Ln Rep | Mod-Lib Rep/Ln Rep | Cons-Mod Dem/Ln Dem | Lib Dem/Ln Dem |
---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | 15% | 37% | 39% | 59% |
2003 | 16% | 38% | 38% | 63% |
2004 | 12% | 28% | 33% | 66% |
2005 | 10% | 36% | 36% | 73% |
2006 | 11% | 33% | 37% | 69% |
2007 | 12% | 35% | 41% | 71% |
2008 | 15% | 37% | 42% | 74% |
2009 | 14% | 36% | 43% | 70% |
2010 | 17% | 44% | 46% | 72% |
2011 | 24% | 49% | 50% | 72% |
2012 | 20% | 48% | 55% | 79% |
2013 | 24% | 49% | 53% | 79% |
2014 | 25% | 56% | 58% | 82% |
2015 | 25% | 60% | 59% | 84% |
2016 | 25% | 60% | 61% | 84% |
2017 | 39% | 63% | 66% | 90% |
2019 | 36% | 59% | 64% | 88% |
Among people who are religiously unaffiliated, a solid majority have supported same-sex marriage since 2004. Today, 79% of religious “nones” say same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.
About two-thirds of white mainline Protestants (66%) now support same-sex marriage, as do a similar share of Catholics (61%).
Support for same-sex marriage among white evangelical Protestants remains lower than it is among other religious groups. However, the share of white evangelical Protestants who support same-sex marriage has grown from 11% in 2004 to 29% today.
About four-in-ten of those who attend religious services at least once a week (39%) favor same-sex marriage, compared with 66% who attend once or twice a month or a few times a year, and three-quarters who say they seldom or never attend.
% of U.S. adults who favor same-sex marriage, by religion (2001-2019)
Year | White evangelical Protestants | White mainline Protestants | Black Protestants | Catholics | Unaffiliated |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | 13% | 38% | 30% | 40% | 61% |
2003 | 12% | 35% | 25% | 38% | 59% |
2004 | 11% | 34% | 19% | 36% | 61% |
2005 | 14% | 39% | 25% | 39% | 60% |
2006 | 12% | 41% | 21% | 39% | 63% |
2007 | 14% | 43% | 24% | 40% | 60% |
2008 | 16% | 44% | 24% | 43% | 62% |
2009 | 15% | 36% | 28% | 42% | 63% |
2010 | 20% | 48% | 29% | 46% | 62% |
2011 | 16% | 54% | 31% | 53% | 69% |
2012 | 19% | 52% | 35% | 54% | 73% |
2013 | 23% | 55% | 32% | 54% | 74% |
2014 | 21% | 60% | 41% | 57% | 77% |
2015 | 24% | 62% | 34% | 57% | 82% |
2016 | 27% | 64% | 39% | 58% | 80% |
2017 | 35% | 68% | 44% | 67% | 85% |
2019 | 29% | 66% | NA% | 61% | 79% |
% of U.S. adults who favor same-sex marriage, by religious service attendance (2001-2019)
Year | Attend weekly or more | Monthly/yearly | Seldom/never |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | |||
2003 | 17% | 40% | 47% |
2004 | 16% | 37% | 47% |
2005 | 19% | 41% | 57% |
2006 | 19% | 41% | 53% |
2007 | 21% | 43% | 51% |
2008 | 23% | 44% | 55% |
2009 | 21% | 43% | 52% |
2010 | 24% | 49% | 59% |
2011 | 28% | 52% | 64% |
2012 | 28% | 55% | 65% |
2013 | 30% | 55% | 68% |
2014 | 31% | 60% | 70% |
2015 | 32% | 60% | 76% |
2016 | 32% | 62% | 75% |
2017 | 39% | 68% | 81% |
2019 | 39% | 66% | 75% |
Support for same-sex marriage has remained largely stable among both men and women since 2017. Today, 66% of women and 57% of men support same-sex marriage.
Support for same-sex marriage also has remained steady among whites, blacks and Hispanics over the past two years. Today, 62% of whites support same-sex marriage, as do 58% of Hispanics and 51% of blacks.
The increase in the share of adults who favor same-sex marriage over the past 15 years is due in part to generational change. Younger generations express higher levels of support for same-sex marriage.
% of U.S. adults who favor same-sex marriage, by race/ethnicity (2001-2019)
Year | White | Black | Hispanic |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | 34% | 32% | |
2003 | 32% | 28% | |
2004 | 31% | 21% | |
2005 | 37% | 27% | |
2006 | 35% | 25% | 42% |
2007 | 38% | 26% | 38% |
2008 | 41% | 26% | 39% |
2009 | 37% | 29% | 41% |
2010 | 44% | 30% | 41% |
2011 | 49% | 36% | 42% |
2012 | 49% | 40% | 50% |
2013 | 50% | 38% | 54% |
2014 | 53% | 42% | 56% |
2015 | 58% | 39% | 55% |
2016 | 57% | 42% | 56% |
2017 | 64% | 51% | 60% |
2019 | 62% | 51% | 58% |
% of U.S. adults who favor same-sex marriage, by generation (2001-2019)
Year | Silent Generation (1928-45) | Baby Boomers (1946-64) | Generation X (1965-80) | Millennials (1981 to 1996) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | 21% | 32% | 49% | |
2003 | 17% | 33% | 40% | 51% |
2004 | 18% | 30% | 40% | 44% |
2005 | 23% | 36% | 44% | 49% |
2006 | 20% | 34% | 42% | 51% |
2007 | 24% | 34% | 42% | 53% |
2008 | 24% | 36% | 44% | 54% |
2009 | 23% | 32% | 41% | 51% |
2010 | 29% | 38% | 48% | 53% |
2011 | 32% | 40% | 48% | 61% |
2012 | 33% | 41% | 51% | 64% |
2013 | 35% | 41% | 52% | 66% |
2014 | 35% | 46% | 53% | 67% |
2015 | 39% | 45% | 59% | 70% |
2016 | 38% | 46% | 56% | 71% |
2017 | 41% | 56% | 65% | 74% |
2019 | 45% | 51% | 58% | 74% |
% of U.S. adults who favor same-sex marriage, by gender (2001-2019)
Year | Men | Women |
---|---|---|
2001 | 32% | 38% |
2003 | 28% | 36% |
2004 | 28% | 34% |
2005 | 34% | 39% |
2006 | 31% | 39% |
2007 | 32% | 41% |
2008 | 34% | 43% |
2009 | 32% | 41% |
2010 | 38% | 46% |
2011 | 41% | 51% |
2012 | 44% | 52% |
2013 | 46% | 53% |
2014 | 49% | 55% |
2015 | 53% | 58% |
2016 | 52% | 58% |
2017 | 60% | 64% |
2019 | 57% | 66% |
901 E St. NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20004 USA (+1) 202-419-4300 | Main (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax (+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries
ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It does not take policy positions. The Center conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, computational social science research and other data-driven research. Pew Research Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts , its primary funder.
© 2024 Pew Research Center
Discover the world's research
To read the full-text of this research, you can request a copy directly from the authors.
Published by gudwriter on January 4, 2021 January 4, 2021
Introduction.
Same-sex marriage should be legal because it is a fundamental human right. To have experts write for you a quality paper on same sex marriage, seek help from a trusted academic writing service where you can buy research proposals online with ease and one you can be sure of getting the best possible assistance available
Did you know that we provide a free essay and speech generator, plagiarism checker, summarizer, paraphraser, and other writing tools for free?
Paragraph 1:
Same-sex marriage provides legal rights protection to same sex couples on such matters as taxes, finances, and health care.
Paragraph 2:
Same sex marriage allows two people in love to happily live together.
Perhaps you may be interested in learning about research proposals on human trafficking .
Paragraph 3:
Same sex marriage gives homosexual couples the right to start families.
Paragraph 4:
Same sex marriage does not harm the institution of marriage and is potentially more stable.
Paragraph 5:
Opponents of same sex marriage may argue that it is important for children to have a father and mother for a balanced upbringing.
Paragraph 6:
Opponents may also argue that same-sex marriages reduce sanctity of marriage.
Read on the best motivational speech ideas .
For many years now, same-sex marriage has been a controversial topic. While some countries have legalized the practice, others still consider it not right and treat it as illegal. Same-sex marriage is defined as a marriage or union between two people of the same sex, such as a man and a man. Some countries have broadened their perspective on this issue even though for many years, it has never been legally acknowledged, with some societies even considering it a taboo. The United Kingdom, Spain, France, Argentina, the Netherlands, and recently the United States are some of the countries that have legalized it (Winter, Forest & Senac, 2017). Irrespective of any arguments, same-sex marriage should be legal because it is a fundamental human right.
First, same-sex marriage, if recognized by society, provides legal rights protection to same sex couples on such matters as taxes, finances, and health care. If people live together in a homosexual relationship without being legally married, they do not enjoy the security to protect what they have worked for and saved together. In case one of them dies, the surviving partner would have no right over the property under the deceased’s name even if they both funded its acquisition (Winter, Forest & Senac, 2017). Legalizing same-sex unions would cushion homosexual partners from such unfortunate situations. They would have the right to become heirs to their spouses and enjoy tax breaks just like heterosexual married couples. Legalization would also make it possible for them to purchase properties together, open joint accounts, and sign documents together as couples.
Same sex marriage also allows two people in love to become one in a matrimonial union and live happily together. Denying homosexual couples the right to marry is thus denying them the right to be in love just like heterosexuals do. Moreover, the definition of marriage does not suggest that it should only be an exclusive union between two people of opposite sexes. According to Gerstmann (2017), marriage is a formally or legally recognized union between two people in a personal relationship. As per this definition, people should be allowed to marry once they are in love with each other irrespective of their genders. Reducing marriage to a union between a man and woman is thus a direct infringement into the rights of homosexuals.
Additionally, gay marriages give homosexual couples the right to start families. Just like heterosexual couples, gay and lesbian partners should be allowed to start families and have their own children. Essentially, a family should ideally have parents and children and it is not necessary that the parents be a male and female. Same sex partners can easily adopt and bring up children if their marriage is legalized and recognized by the society in which they live (Gerstmann, 2017). As one would concur, even some heterosexual couples are not able to sire their own children and resort to adopting one or even more. This is a right that should be extended to same sex couples too given that they may not be able to give birth on their own.
Further, same sex marriage does no harm whatsoever to the institution of marriage, and is potentially more stable. According to a 2009 study, legalization of civil unions or gay marriages does not in any way negatively impact abortion rates, divorce, or marriage (Langbein & Yost, 2009). This makes it quite uncalled for to argue against or prohibit gay marriages. In yet another study, only 1.1 percent of legally married gay couples end their relationships as compared to the 2 percent annual divorce rate among opposite-sex couples (Badgett & Herman, 2011). This implies that heterosexual marriages have a slightly higher dissolution rate on average than opposite sex marriages. It could then be argued that gay marriages are more stable than traditional man-woman marriages. The two types of marriages should thus be given equal chance because neither affects the other negatively. They also have more or less equal chances of succeeding if legally recognized and accepted.
Opponents of same sex marriage may argue that it is important for children to have a father and a mother. They may say that for children to have a good balance in their upbringing, they should be influenced by a father and a mother in their developmental years. Such arguments hold that homosexual couples only have one gender influence over the lives of children and that this is less fulfilling (Badgett, 2009). However, the arguments fail to recognize that children under the parental care of same sex couples get to mingle with both male and female genders in various social places. At school, the children get to be cared for and mentored by both male and female teachers who more or less serve almost the same role as parents.
Those who are opposed to same sex unions may also argue that such marriages reduce sanctity of marriage. To them, marriage is a religious and traditional commitment and ceremony that is held very sacred by people. They contend that there is need to do everything possible to preserve marriage because as an institution, it has been degrading slowly over time. Their concern is that traditional marriages are being devalued by same sex marriages which are swaying people away from being married and instead choosing to live with same sex partners (Nagle, 2010). It is clear here that such arguments treat marriage as a man-woman union only and are thus not cognizant of the true meaning of marriage. Moreover, they fail to recognize that traditions and religions should not be used against same sex couples because there are people who do not ascribe to any tradition(s) or religions.
Same sex marriage is a human right that should be enjoyed just like traditional heterosexual marriages. It protects the legal rights of lesbian and gay couples and allows them the well-deserved opportunity of actualizing their love in matrimony. In addition, it enables them to exercise their right to start families and bring up children. Arguments made against this form of marriage, such as that it undermines traditional marriages, are based on opinions and not facts. Moreover, it is not important for a child to have a father and a mother because there are other places in which they actively interact with people of different sexes. As such, it is only fair that all governments consider legalizing gay marriages.
Badgett, M. V., & Herman, J. L. (2011). Patterns of relationship recognition by same-sex couples in the United States [PDF]. The Williams Institute. Retrieved from https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Marriage-Dissolution-FINAL.pdf .
Badgett, M. V. (2009). When gay people get married: what happens when societies legalize same-sex marriage . New York, NY: NYU Press.
Gerstmann, E. (2017). Same-sex marriage and the constitution . New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
Langbein, L., & Yost, M. A. (2009). Same-sex marriage and negative externalities. Social Science Quarterly , 90(2), 292-308.
Nagle, J. (2010). Same-sex marriage: the debate . New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group.
Winter, B., Forest, M., & Senac, R. (2017). Global perspectives on same-sex marriage: a neo-institutional approach . New York, NY: Springer.
Explore a persuasive essay about strengthening community handled by our tutors following the prompt provided.
Thesis: Same sex marriage, just like opposite sex marriage, should be legal.
Same sex couples are better at parenting.
Same sex marriage reduces divorce rates.
Same sex marriage increases psychological wellbeing.
Same sex marriages may diminish heterosexual marriages.
For a holistic development, a child should have both mother and father.
Other non-typical unions may be encouraged by same sex unions.
Paragraph 7:
Marriage is a fundamental human right.
Paragraph 8:
Marriage is a concept based on love.
Paragraph 9:
opponents of same-sex marriage argue that a relationship between same-sex couples cannot be considered marriage since marriage is the union between a man and a woman.
Same sex marriage should be legalized by all countries in the world. In the U.S., the debate surrounding its legalization should die off because it is irrelevant. People have the right to marry whoever they like whether they are of the same sex.
The idea of same sex marriage is one of the topics that have been widely debated in the United States of America. It has often been met with strong opposition since the majority of the country’s citizens are Christians and Christianity views the idea as evil. On the other hand, those who believe it is right and should be legalized have provided a number of arguments to support it, including that it is a fundamental human right. This debate is still ongoing even after a Supreme Court ruling legalized this type of marriage. However, this debate is unnecessary because same sex marriage, just like opposite sex marriage, should be legal.
It has been proven through studies that same sex couples are better at parenting. A University of Melbourne 2014 study indicated that compared to children raised by both mother and father, children brought up by same sex couples do better in terms of family cohesion and overall health. Similarly, the journal Pediatrics published a study in 2010 stating that children under the guardianship of lesbian mothers performed better academically and socially (Gerstmann, 2017). The children also experienced fewer social problems.
Same sex marriages also reduce divorce rates. According to Gerstmann (2017), the divorce rates in a state were reduced significantly after the state legalized gay marriages. This was as per the analysis of the before and after divorce statistics. Likewise, higher divorce rates were recorded in states where gay marriages are prohibited. Generally, divorce is not good for family cohesion especially in terms of caring for children. Children need to grow up under the care of both parents hence the need for their parents to stay together.
In addition, same sex marriage increases psychological wellbeing. This is because bisexuals, gays, and lesbians feel socially rejected if society views same-sex marriages as illegal or evil. A study report released in 2010 showed that after some states banned this kind of marriage, bisexuals, gays, and lesbians living there experienced a 248% rise in generalized anxiety disorders, a 42% increase in alcohol-use disorders, and a 37% rise in mood disorders (Winter, Forest & Senac, 2017). In this respect, allowing such marriages would make them feel normal and accepted by society.
Same sex marriages may diminish heterosexual marriages and the longstanding marriage culture in society. Perhaps, it could be possible for children in homosexual families to think that same sex unions are more fulfilling and enjoyable than opposite-sex relationships. As a result, they might want to become homosexuals upon growing up. This would mean that standardized marriages between opposite sexes face a bleak future (Nagle, 2010). Such a trend might threaten to throw the human race to extinction because there would be no procreation in future generations.
Same sex unions also fall short because for a holistic development, a child should have both a mother and a father. Absence of a father or a mother in a family leaves a gaping hole in the life of a child. The two major genders in the world are male and female and a child needs to learn how to relate with both of them right from when they are born (Nagle, 2010). A father teaches them how to live alongside males while a mother teaches them how to do the same with females.
Further, other non-typical unions may be encouraged by same sex unions. If the marriages are accepted worldwide, people who get involved in such other acts as bestiality and incest may feel encouraged (Winter, Forest & Senac, 2017). They might even start agitating for their “right” to get married to animals, for instance. This possibility would water down and deinstitutionalize the whole concept of consummation and marriage. This would further diminish the existence of heterosexual marriages as people would continue to find less and less importance in them.
Same sex unions should be legal because marriage is a fundamental human right. It has been stated by the United States Supreme Court fourteen times since 1888 that all individuals should enjoy marriage as a fundamental right (Hertz & Doskow, 2016). In making these judgments, the Supreme Court has repeatedly stated that the Due Process Clause protects as one of the liberties the freedom to make personal choice in matters of marriage. The Court has maintained that this free choice is important as it allows free men to pursue happiness in an orderly manner. Thus, denying one the right to marry a same sex partner is akin to denying them their basic right.
People should also be legally allowed to get into same sex unions since marriage is a concept based on love. It is traditionally inaccurate to confine marriage to be only between a man and a woman. The working definition of marriage should be that it is a union between two people in love with each other, their gender or sexual orientation notwithstanding (Hertz & Doskow, 2016). Making it an exclusively man-woman affair trashes the essence of love in romantic relationships. If a man loves a fellow man, they should be allowed to marry just like a man and a woman in love may do.
As already alluded to, opponents of same-sex marriage argue that a relationship between same-sex couples cannot be considered marriage since marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Based on this traditional definition of marriage, they contend that gay and lesbian couples should not marry. However, as noted by Carpenter (2005), this definitional argument is both conclusory and circular and is thus seriously flawed and fallacious. It is in no way logical to challenge gay marriage based on this archaic marriage definition. That marriage only happens when one man and one woman come together in a matrimony is a constricted view of the institution of marriage. Moreover, there are no reasons accompanying the definition showing that it is the right one or should be the only one (Carpenter, 2005). Therefore, it should be expanded to include same-sex couples. The lack of reasons to support it makes it defenseless thus weak.
Same sex marriages should be legalized by all countries in the world. In the U.S., the debate surrounding its legalization should die off because it is irrelevant. People have the right to marry whoever they like whether they are of the same sex or not. Just like love can sprout between a man and a woman, so can it between a man and a fellow man or a woman and a fellow woman. There is absolutely no need to subject gays, lesbians, and bisexuals to unnecessary psychological torture by illegalizing same sex marriage.
Carpenter, D. (2005). Bad arguments against gay marriage. Florida Coastal Law Review , VII , 181-220.
Gerstmann, E. (2017). Same-sex marriage and the constitution . New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
Hertz, F., & Doskow, E. (2016). Making it legal: a guide to same-sex marriage, domestic partnerships & civil unions . Berkeley, CA: Nolo.
Nagle, J. (2010). Same-sex marriage: the debate . New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group.
Winter, B., Forest, M., & Senac, R. (2017). Global perspectives on same-sex marriage: a neo-institutional approach . New York, NY: Springer.
Same Sex Marriage Essay- Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage. Discuss how the idea of gay marriage has changed over the last decade and show the progression of the movement.
Introduction
Thesis: Gay marriage was regarded as an abomination in the early years, but in recent times the attitude of the society towards same-sex marriage is gradually changing.
In 1965, 70% of Americans were opposed to same-sex marriage.
Social gay movements contributed to change in the attitude of the society towards gay marriage.
Political movements in support of gay marriage have as well contributed to change in the attitude of the society towards gay marriage.
The incidence of gay people, particularly in the United States has contributed to change in the attitude of the society towards gay marriage.
The judiciary upheld the legitimacy of same-sex marriage.
The increased push for the freedom of marriage contributed to changing the attitude on gay marriage.
Paragraph 7:
Supporters of same sex marriage have also increasingly argued that people should be allowed to marry not necessarily based on their gender but on the love between them.
Gay marriage has been the subject of social, political and religious debates for many years but over the past two decades, the attitude of the society towards same-sex marriage has changed. Social gay movements and increased incidence of gay people has compelled the community to accept and tolerate gay marriages. The judiciary has as well contributed to this change in attitude by pushing the freedom and right to marriage.
In the early years, gay marriage was an abomination and received criticism from many members of society. The principal reason as to why many people in society were objected to gay marriage was that it went against religious and societal values and teachings (Decoo, 2014). However, over the past three decades, the perception of society towards the practice has changed. The degree of its social tolerance and acceptance has gradually improved. In the 2000s, numerous social and political lobby groups pushed for a change in insolences towards gay marriage (Decoo, 2014). Though these lobby groups have tried to advocate for the rights of gay people, their principal focus was to change people’s attitudes towards homosexuality.
According to a study conducted in the year 1965 investigating the attitudes of Americans towards gay marriage, seventy percent of the respondents were opposed to the idea of same-sex marriage citing its harmfulness to the American life. Most Americans felt that the practice went against the social and moral values of the American society. In the years between 1975 and 1977, the number of Americans who were not objected to gay marriage increased (Decoo, 2014). However, this number decreased in the years of 1980, when the prevalence of AIDS among gay people hit alarming levels. In the years that followed, the attitudes of the American society towards gay marriage rapidly changed.
The rise of gay social movements has contributed significantly to a change in attitude of the society towards gay marriage. In the early years, people were not exposed to issues of same-sex marriage, but the gay social movements focused on increasing the exposure of gay marriage, while advocating for their equal treatment (Keleher & Smith, 2018). These movements were able to reveal the injustices and unfair treatment that gays were exposed to, and how such unfair treatment tarnishes the image of the society (Keleher & Smith, 2018). The movements persuaded the society to embark on ways of addressing injustices meted out on gay people. Through highlighting these injustices, members of the society acknowledged the need for reforms to bring about impartiality and non-discrimination in marriage.
Political movements in support of gay marriage have as well contributed to changing the attitude of the society towards the practice. As a matter of fact, one of the strategies that gay social movements employed in their advocacy for gay rights were political maneuvering (Demock, Doherty & Killey, 2013). The lobby groups approached aspiring politicians, who would advocate for equal rights of gays to garner political mileage. With time, politicians would use the subject to attack their competitors who were opposed to the idea of same sex marriage (Demock, Doherty & Killey, 2013). This increased political support for gay marriage influenced members of the society into changing their attitude towards the same.
The ever increasing number of gays, particularly in the United States, has contributed to a change in the attitude of the world society towards gay marriage. As the number of gays increased in the U.S., it became hard for members of the society to continue opposing this form of marriage (Demock, Doherty & Killey, 2013). Many families had at least one or more of their family members who would turn out to be gay. The perception of gay people by such families would therefore change upon learning that their loved ones were also gay (Demock, Doherty & Killey, 2013). The media also played a significant role in gathering compassion from the members of the society by portraying the injustices that gay people experienced (Demock, Doherty & Killey, 2013). The society would as a result be compelled to sympathize with gays and lesbians and thus change their stance on same-sex marriage.
Further, the judiciary has also contributed to the change in the attitude of the society towards gay marriage. There were states in the U.S. that initially illegalized same sex marriages, prompting gay people to file discrimination lawsuits (Coontz, 2014). Reports indicate that in the year 2014, there were more than 42 court rulings that ruled in favor of same-sex couples (Coontz, 2014). Some critics of same-sex marriage termed these rulings as judicial activism. They argued that the judiciary was frustrating the will of the American society, which was opposed to same-sex marriage (Coontz, 2014). Following these rulings and the increased advocacy for equality and fair treatment of gay people, some states implemented policies is support of same-sex marriage (Coontz, 2014). Today, the entire United States treats the practice as legal, as was determined by the Supreme Court back in 2015.
The increased push for the freedom of marriage has also contributed to changing the attitude on gay marriage. In the early years, there were states, especially in the United States, that opposed interracial marriages, so that a white could not marry an African-American, for instance (Coontz, 2014). In the years before 1967, there were states that restricted people with tuberculosis or prisoners from getting married. Other states also discouraged employers from hiring married women. However, in 1987 the Supreme Court ruled that state governments had no right to deny people of their freedom of marriage (Coontz, 2014). When such laws were regarded as violations of human rights, gay people also termed the restriction of same-sex marriage as a violation of their liberty and freedom to marry.
Supporters of same sex marriage have also increasingly argued that people should be allowed to marry not necessarily based on their gender but on the love between them and their decision as two adults. According to such people, restricting marriage to a union between heterosexual couples only creates a biased view of human sexuality. For example, they point out that this extreme view fails to acknowledge that gay couples also derive fulfilment from their romantic relationships (Steorts, 2015). They additionally contend that an adult should be allowed the freewill to seek for this fulfillment by starting a relationship with a partner of whichever gender of their choosing. Whether they love a man or a woman should not be anybody’s concern. The argument also notes that gay couples who have come out clearly demonstrate that they are happy in their relationships.
Gay marriage has been the subject of social, political, and religious debates for many years but over the past two decades, the attitude of the society towards it has significantly changed. Social gay movements and increased numbers of gay people has compelled the community to accept and tolerate the practice. The judiciary has as well contributed to this change in attitude by pushing the freedom and right to marriage, thereby finally making the practice legal in the United States.
Coontz, S. (2014). “Why America changed its mind on gay marriageable”. CNN . Retrieved June 23, 2020 from http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/13/opinion/coontz-same-sex-marriage/index.html
Decoo, E. (2014). Changing attitudes toward homosexuality in the United States from 1977 to 2012 . Provo, UT: Brigham Young University.
Demock, M., Doherty, C., & Kiley, J. (2013). Growing support for gay marriage: changed minds and changing demographics. Gen , 10 , 1965-1980.
Keleher, A. G., & Smith, E. (2008). Explaining the growing support for gay and lesbian equality since 1990. In Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, Boston, MA .
Steorts, J. L. (2015). “An equal chance at love: why we should recognize same-sex marriage”. National Review . Retrieved June 23, 2020 from https://www.nationalreview.com/2015/05/yes-same-sex-marriage-about-equality-courts-should-not-decide/
Our article explores the intricacies of same-sex marriage discourse, offering a debated essay with a structured outline. Explore our speech writer generator free tool and create a good speech.
If you are having any issues choosing a suitable topic for your argumentative essay, worry no more for we have a variety of argumentative topics to choose from and convince others of your position. Y ou can also get college homework help from Gudwriter and receive a plagiarism free paper written from scratch.
Special offer! Get 20% discount on your first order. Promo code: SAVE20
Free essays and research papers, artificial intelligence argumentative essay – with outline.
Artificial Intelligence Argumentative Essay Outline In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the rapidly developing fields and as its capabilities continue to expand, its potential impact on society has become a topic Read more…
The goal of a synthesis paper is to show that you can handle in-depth research, dissect complex ideas, and present the arguments. Most college or university students have a hard time writing a synthesis essay, Read more…
A spatial order is an organizational style that helps in the presentation of ideas or things as is in their locations. Most students struggle to understand the meaning of spatial order in writing and have Read more…
Connection denied by Geolocation Setting.
Reason: Blocked country: Russia
The connection was denied because this country is blocked in the Geolocation settings.
Please contact your administrator for assistance.
COMMENTS
of same-sex marriage in the summer of 1996, when same-sex marriage was not legally recognized in any state and the Hawaiian case of Baehr v. Lewin (74 Haw. 530; 852 P.2d 44; 1993) had yet to go to trial. Understanding the emergence of same-sex marriage onto the agenda of Congress is important for several reasons.
Thesis Statement: Same-sex marriage should not even allow in the Philippines because it against natural law. Even without same-sex marriage they can also show their love for each other. I.Introduction: 1.1 Historical background. 2. Main Idea: Same-sex marriage is against natural law 2.1 Marriage is only between a female and male 2.2 Same-sex ...
All these considerations compel the conclusion that same-sex marriage should be legally available. The paper will examine progress towards and opposition to same-sex marriage in the social and political contexts in which they have developed. Arguments against same-sex marriage will be examined and refuted.
same-sex marriage is legal, in just some of their jurisdictions, such as Mexico. 2. Florida is a state where same-sex marriage has been at the forefront of debate over the past few years. On January 6, 2015, same-sex marriage was finally legalized in Florida in the case of Brenner v. Scott, 999 F. Supp. 2d 1278. 3. It was an extremely long ...
Multiple same sex marriage essay has come up sighting the incidents where the couple were accepted by their respective families. In addition, the act of legalization of same-sex marriage has been going on since the past two decades with great vigour. Countries like the Netherlands, Spain, and Belgium had legalised it in the wake of the 2000s ...
A counterargument explaining the case against same-sex marriage is made by Rick Santorum, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a former U.S. senator. Featuring: Jonathan Rauch, Senior Writer, TheNational Journal. Interviewer: David Masci, Senior Research Fellow, Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
most striking of which has been the expansion of relationship recognition of same-sex couples across countries. Twenty-six countries have currently legalised same-sex marriage (SSM) and another seventeen countries have legalised another form of same-sex union (SSU). As Kollman ( r s y) accurately states: "Given the rapid spread of SSU
Marriage equality has been one of the more controversial civil rights battles in the past few decades. Increased polarization worldwide and the rise of the religious right have pushed same-sex marriage into the forefront of many culture wars. Same-sex marriage offers a boost of acceptance and signals the country's acceptance and welcoming
Marriage has come to be center-stage in a semiotic and ideological "culture war." The issue of same-sex marriage has emerged as a defining political argument shaping the manner by which the contemporary gay rights movement positions itself. In Georgia's 2004 election, a constitutional amendment was proposed defining marriage as legal unions between only biological men and women. In ...
(Cth)—redefined marriage to enable same-sex couples to marry, and recognised the validity of same-sex marriages which had been contracted overseas. In the preceding years, considerable support for the recognition of same-sex marriages had grown among the Australian public, with opinion polling as early as 2007 demonstrating a simple majority of
In the last decade, Americans across the nation have confronted the issue of same-sex marriage, creating a moral discourse that before did not exist. In this paper I analyze the frames used in debates over constitutional amendments defining marriage and other relationship recognition in newspapers in seven states.
Objective. This article assesses the evolution of U.S. opinion on same-sex marriage. Methods. The analysis used multinomial regression on same-sex marriage questions from eight surveys with more than 34,000 respondents by the Pew Research Center and the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) between 1988 and 2014.
On 30 June 2017, the German Bundestag voted in favor of the introduction of marriage for same-sex couples—a historic moment. Only a few days earlier, the then Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel had released the vote as a decision of conscience and thus dissolved the usual underlying factional compulsion—does this mean that rights for homosexual people are a question of personal conscience ...
The research aim of this thesis is therefore to discover whether it is the power of politics or the power of discourse that best explains variation in the degree of permissiveness across countries. As case studies, the policy processes that have led to the legalisation of same-sex marriage (SSM) in the Netherlands (2001) and Germany (2017) have ...
Same-sex marriage is a subject that has been heavily discussed and argued since the concept of marriage came into existence. Marriage is a relationship that most American citizens are entitled to although it is not yet a fundamental right. As of a very recent court decision, Strawser v. Strange, Civil Action No. 14-0424-CG-C1 finalized on February 9, 2015, Alabama has legalized same-sex ...
Specifically, with ~1 million responses over a 11-year window, we test whether state-by-state same-sex marriage legislation was associated with decreases in anti-gay implicit and explicit bias. Results across five operationalizations consistently provide support for this possibility.
The debate over same-sex marriage in the United States is a contentious one, and advocates on both sides continue to work hard to make their voices heard. To explore the case against gay marriage, the Pew Forum has turned to Rick Santorum, a former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania and now a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Sen.
In Pew Research Center polling in 2004, Americans opposed same-sex marriage by a margin of 60% to 31%. Support for same-sex marriage has steadily grown over the past 15 years. And today, support for same-sex marriage remains near its highest point since Pew Research Center began polling on this issue. Based on polling in 2019, a majority of ...
The study evaluated whether a community sample with an age range of 19-64 (n = 122), including 32% sexual minority participants, believe that dating, sex, and marriage with same-sex partners are ...
Prohibiting same-sex marriages is an act of discrimination against a minority. There are many laws against minority discrimination including equal protection amendments, the Bill of Rights and anti-slavery laws. Denying the right to marry for a homosexual couple is the same as denying marriage to a Hispanic couple, or even an interracial couple.
Global perspectives on same-sex marriage: a neo-institutional approach. New York, NY: Springer. Explore a persuasive essay about strengthening community handled by our tutors following the prompt provided. Example 2: Sample Essay Outline on Same Sex Marriages. Introduction. Thesis: Same sex marriage, just like opposite sex marriage, should be ...
rocess of uniformity quite challenging for the United Nations. In many nations, same-sex relations are frowned upon and is punishable as a criminal offence, in some cases, w. th the likelihood of life imprisonment and capital punishment. One particular attempt which was made in the year 2006 was the.
The following are ten science-based arguments against same-sex "marriage": 1. Children hunger for their biological parents. Homosexual couples using in vitro fertilization (IVF) or surrogate mothers deliberately create a class of children who will live apart from their mother or father.