Pros

Why Gay Marriage Should Be Legalized You wake up to the phone ringing at 1:00 a.m. It’s the hospital calling to tell you that your loved one was in a head on collision caused by a drunk driver. Quickly you rush to the hospital only to find out that they have gone into a coma. Panicked, you plead to see them. The nurse asks if you are a spouse or relative, “No, but we have been together for thirty-five years we are partners.” The issue that I am researching is the issue of same-sex marriage, in particular same-sex on the legislative level and how it is a civil liberties issue. The legalization is inevitable for the movement mirrors that of the civil rights movement in the 1960s for African American equality. Another reason why same-sex marriage should be legalized is that, religious beliefs only hold so much ground in the foundation of our countries law making. The most important reason is that it is unconstitutional to ban same-sex marriage, because it infringes on homosexual’s right to equality.

Gay and lesbian issues - discrimination While gay and lesbian people are as diverse as the rest of the population, their shared experience of discrimination creates common health issues. Australian society generally regards heterosexuality as the most acceptable sexual orientation, which means that gay men, lesbians and bisexual people may be marginalised and discriminated against. Transgender and intersex people may also experience marginalisation and discrimination in relation to their health and wellbeing. Intersex refers to a biological condition where a person is born with reproductive organs and/or sex chromosomes that are not exclusively male or female. The previous term for intersex was hermaphrodite. Sexuality and violence A 2008 study of 390 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) Victorians found that nearly one in seven reported living in fear of homophobic violence. In eighty-five per cent of cases, violence and harassment were preceded or accompanied by homophobic language. Homophobia and heterosexism

Pros In a Nutshell Related Links Overview/Background Traditionally in this country, marriage has been defined as a religious & legal commitment between a man and woman, as well as the ultimate expression of love. Homosexual relationships are increasingly gaining acceptance in this country; however, these couples have not been permitted to marry. Yes Denying them is a violation of religious freedom (civil and religious marriages are two separate institutions). No Most religions consider homosexuality a sin. Related Links Reader CommentsProtectMarriage.comA Compromise Solution to the Gay Marriage DebateFocus on Social Issues: Is Marriage in Jeopardy? Is anything missing?

Same Sex Marriage Fast Facts Same-sex couples get their marriage licenses at the Oakland County Courthouse on Saturday, March 22, in Pontiac, Michigan, a day after a federal judge overturned Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage. Jayne Rowse, left, speaks as April DeBoer kisses her shoulder during a news conference in Ferndale, Michigan, on Friday, March 21. A federal judge struck down Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage on Friday after the two nurses, who have been partners for eight years, claimed the ban violated their rights under the U.S. Utah state Sen. Plaintiffs Laurie Wood, left, and Kody Partridge, center, and their attorney Peggy Tomsic leave a federal courthouse in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, December 4, where a judge heard arguments challenging Utah's same-sex marriage ban. Hawaiian Gov. Cory Booker, then-Newark mayor, officiates a wedding ceremony for Joseph Panessidi and Orville Bell at City Hall early Monday, October 21, 2013. A couple celebrate at San Francisco City Hall upon hearing about the U.S.

Christians only: why should gay marriage be illegal? : Property Law In this politically correct climate that relinquishes morality to the relativistic whims of society, stating that homosexuals should not marry is becoming unpopular. Should a woman be allowed to marry another woman? Should a man be allowed to marry another man? The Bible, of course, condemns homosexuality. Homosexuality is not natural. Homosexuals argue that homosexuality is natural since it occurs in the animal world. Political protection of a sexual practice is ludicrous. Of course, these brief paragraphs can in no way exhaust the issue of homosexuality's moral equity. What should be the Christian's Response to the Homosexual? Christians should pray for the salvation of the homosexual the same they would any other person in sin. In fact the following verses should be kept in mind when dealing with homosexuals.

Same-sex marriage in the United States Same-sex marriage is legally recognized in some jurisdictions within the United States and by the federal government. Seventeen states[a] and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage. Eight Native American tribal jurisdictions[b] issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples. Oregon recognizes same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. Recently, U.S. district courts in Utah,[6] Oklahoma,[7] Virginia,[8] Texas,[9], Michigan[10] and Ohio[11] have declared state constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage to be unconstitutional under the Constitution of the United States. The movement to obtain civil marriage rights and benefits for same-sex couples in the United States began in the 1970s,[19] but became more prominent in American politics in 1993 when the Hawaii Supreme Court declared the state's prohibition to be unconstitutional in Baehr v. Legal issues[edit] Federal law[edit] DOMA was challenged in the federal court system. State laws[edit] History[edit]

constituion states that we have the freedom of beliefs Facts About Same Sex Marriage by Timothy J. Dailey The following are ten facts about same sex marriage, gay rights, and common misinformation. Fact 1 - Homosexual marriage degrades a time-honored institution Homosexual marriage is an empty pretense that lacks the fundamental sexual complementariness of male and female. Fact 2 - Homosexual marriage would radically redefine marriage to include virtually any sexual behavior Once marriage is no longer confined to a man and a woman, and the sole criterion becomes the presence of "love" and "mutual commitment," it is impossible to exclude virtually any "relationship" between two or more partners of either sex. Fact 3 - Homosexual marriage is not a civil rights issue Defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman would not deny homosexuals the basic civil rights accorded other citizens. Fact 4 - Upholding traditional marriage is not "discrimination" Discrimination occurs when someone is unjustly denied some benefit or opportunity. Timothy J.

14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause | Race Discrimination | Attorneys | Lawyers | Law Firms The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment prohibits states from denying any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law. In other words, the laws of a state must treat an individual in the same manner as other people in similar conditions and circumstances. A violation would occur, for example, if a state prohibited an individual from entering into an employment contract because he or she was a member of a particular race. The clause is not intended to provide equality among individuals or classes but only equal application of the law. The result of a law, therefore, is not relevant so long as there is no discrimination in its application. By denying states the ability to discriminate, the Equal Protection Clause is crucial to the protection of civil rights. Traditionally, the Court finds a state classification constitutional if it has a “rational basis" to a "legitimate state purpose."

the guidon online : Misuse of the word “gay” offensive They’re displayed expansively and you’ve seen them a billion times. “Eliminate the R word” posters can be found in nearly every classroom. The posters attempt to make students aware of the disrespect conveyed when using the word “retarded” as a synonym for stupid or inferior. “Gay” is a word that is used fairly habitually by many high school students with intentional negative connotation. It’s become almost second-nature for many to use it as a derogatory term. I wouldn’t have a problem with this word frequenting a student’s vocabulary if they used it correctly. However, the context in which the word is typically used by young people is completely inaccurate. Common household objects are definitely not gay. Just for argument’s sake, let’s say I’m homophobic. It’s not just obnoxious because it’s derogatory, but also because people sound ignorant when they use it in incorrect context. When you use the word “gay” as a degrading term, you never know who you may be offending.

German pop star marries a pineapple As celebrity weddings go, it’s one of the wackiest (and, er, sweetest) you’re ever likely to see. German pop star Ramma Damma, aka Ulli Hopper, decided to get married – to a pineapple. Picking up his bride for about £8 – he wanted one who wasn’t cheap – he drove her across the Scottish border to Gretna Green in a Jaguar covered in green AstroTurf. There he and the pineapple – which he affectionately named Tippi – were wed before returning to his home in Munich. ‘We drove through the night – it was a fun away wedding, not a runaway wedding,’ he said. ‘I loved her. ‘We enjoyed meals out. ‘Tippi loved to go to the movies – especially ones about earthquakes – and she would sit on my lap when she got scared.’ Now in case you were wondering why you’ve never heard of Hopper, this all happened 38 years ago. But although Tippi has long since departed, the union has borne fruit. ‘I will defend every plant,’ he said.

Statistics on Discrimination of Homosexuals Content 1. Acceptance of homosexuality2. Acceptance of same-sex marriage3. 1. Increased acceptance of homosexuality is likely to lead to a reduction of discrimination. (source) (source) (source, see below for the criminalization angle; India is highlighted here because the country recently – December 2013 – recriminalized homosexuality) A substantial majority in most Western countries believes that homosexuality is something that should be accepted. Here are some more details and breakdowns for the US: (source) Given the fact that younger cohorts are more tolerant, it’s not surprising to see the rates evolve in this way: (source) (source, data for the U.S.) (source, data for the U.S.) (source) This improvement shouldn’t obscure the fact that there’s still long way to go. (source, data for the U.S.) International public opinion is somewhat less positive. (source) (source) Religion seems to be an force against acceptance: religion and acceptance of homosexuality Another version: ^ back to top 2. (source)

Once 'inconceivable,' Republican leaders sign pro-gay marriage brief By Miranda Leitsinger, Staff Writer, NBC News Supporters of same-sex marriage hope for a boost this week when dozens of high-profile Republicans, many no longer in office, submit their legal argument to the Supreme Court on why gays and lesbians should be allowed to wed, bucking their party's platform in a move that one who had a change of heart on the issue said would “strengthen our nation as a whole.” More than 80 Republicans are signatories to the "friend of the Court" brief to be filed in the case over Proposition 8, a California law banning same-sex marriage, according to the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which is waging the legal battle against the law. The nation’s high court will hear arguments in the case in late March. The New York Times first reported on the brief. Credit: Stephen Lam / Reuters file Meg Whitman, HP's chief executive officer and president, at a meeting on Jan. 16. “None of these people are actively in politics.