The race for the legalization of Gay Marriage has been the one of the biggest issues concerning the American Government, at this time. The first time that same sex marriage became a national issue was back in 1993 in Hawaii when “judges found that the state's constitution required a compelling reason not to extend to gays equal marriage rights” (“A Brief History of Gay Marriage”). After this case in 1993, Congress decided that they should create the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which made sure that homosexual couples could not receive benefits that they would traditionally receive if they were to marry. Ever since, the states have been struggling to decide what side they are going to take on this issue. “Massachusetts was the first state to legalize gay marriage in 2004 and since then, 13 other states have legalized gay marriage, bringing the total to 14 states in the United States” (Johnson).
Present-day Democrats and Republicans have varying views on the issue of same-sex marriage. “While 30% of Americans believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, 28% think they should be allowed to form civil unions but more than 36% of the American population does not believe that gay couple’s should be recognized” (Jmhobson). America’s views on same-sex couples has not varied throughout the years and today, only a minority of the people believe that gay marriages should be legal. “Polls have shown that more than six our of every 10 Democrats believe that gay couples can form civil unions or can be married while more than 50% of all Republicans do not support these options” (Jmhobson)
As a result, it is proven that more Democratic Americans will support the legalization of gay marriages rather than Republican Americans. Same-sex marriages has been a states issue that is now becoming one of the most popular issues of the Government, next to the Iraqi war. The race for legalization has been proven to be a difficult task that has less than a third of the American population on its side.
Sources:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1808617,00.html
http://gaylife.about.com/od/samesexmarriage/a/legalgaymarriag.htm
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/13/opinion/polls/main4180335.shtml
I actually find these results very surprising. I would have thought an overwhelming amount of Democrats would support gay marriage not just 6 of 10 and i would have thought much fewer Republicans supported it. 50% of Republicans is actually kinda crazy in my opinion. Im also surprised America hasnt done more to put this into action. Considering all the minorities that have gained rights in our country, its odd to think that the Supreme Court is considering not giving the right to marry to these people. People may say "well oh its against the standards of America" but im pretty sure that it wasnt standard for African Americans to have rights either, but people continued to advocate and they earned their rights. So i dont really understand why they cant just have their rights. But aside from what i think, it also takes time to earn these kind of changes. The Civil Rights Movement took more than a few months and so this will too.
ReplyDeleteAwww Mitch you commented on mine(:
ReplyDeletehaha
but anyways, i couldn't agree with you more. I thought for sure that there would be a bigger gap of disagreement between the Democrats and Republicans but i guess not? I'm totally on the same platform as you, why it is so hard for the Supreme Court to just rule that its fine to have gay marriages, i'm not quite sure. But i feel as though if we continue to fight for it, it will eventually happen. i mean 14 out of our 50 states have already legalized it so i'm sure in the future, more of our states will legalize it as well.
In a civil union, would that mean same sex couples wouldn't receive benefits such as with taxes and medicare, and social security? Obviously it's one of the most controversial/ popular issues as you mentioned, but do you think Supreme court will make a federal decision making it legal/ illegal nationwide or continue to leave it up to individual states?
ReplyDeleteCivil union meaning they form a union for gay marriage...i'm not quite understanding what your asking? sorry. But what I think you are asking, the answer would be no, that they would receive the benefits. As for your other question, I believe that the Supreme Court will continue to have the states make their own decisions but i think that in the future, if enough states legalize gay marriage, they may make it a national issue.
ReplyDeleteI believe that, as normal people, gay's should have all therights that "normal", straight people do. Just because somebody is a homosexual does not mean theycan lose basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The 14th Amendment would help with some of these cases, but an issue like this will never be completely compromised out so that both "sides" can win in an argument.
ReplyDeleteThat's EXACTLY how i feel Cameron...well put. A gay couple and a straight couple aren't different except for the fact that they are the same gender. it isn't fair, but like all "minorities" they will have to fight for their rights if they truly want them.
ReplyDeleteA little sting here from Cameron, as "normal people" so anti-gay rights activists are not normal people??
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