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For as long as the institution of marriage has been around, so too has the
belief that it represents the union of one man and one woman. Now gay men
and lesbians are challenging that institution. They believe that their
relationships mean the same in their sphere as heterosexual marriages do in
our sphere. Homosexuals would like to see their marriages legalized.
In 1991 three gay couples filed a lawsuit, in Hawaii, for denying them
marriage licenses. They claim that the refusal amounts to gender
discrimination, which violates the Equal Rights Amendment. Judge Kevin
Chang ruled, in 1996, that same-sex couples have the right to legally marry.
This ruling makes Hawaii the first state to recognize that gay and lesbian
couples are entitled, by law, to the same privileges as heterosexual
married couples (CNN). Under the Full Faith and Credit clause of the
Constitution, this also forces all states to recognize these marriages as
far as federal benefits are concerned. Congress has approved a bill, the
Defense of Marriage Act, that will allow states to decide whether to
recognize homosexual marriages. The second part of the bill would define
"for federal purposes" as the union of a man and a woman. Under such a
definition gay and lesbians, even if they win the right to marry in Hawaii
or elsewhere, would not be able to file joint federal tax returns, claim
federal pension, or survivor's benefits, or be allowed to file for green
card status (Gallagher 21).
I don't feel that marriages between gays or lesbians should be given the
same status as heterosexual marriages. Since when do gay people think they
can broaden the institution of marriage to include themselves? They
shouldn't be able to. The institution of marriage is recognized by the
church, homosexuality isn't. I don't feel that gay people have given a
reason that carries enough weight for the government to legalize same-sex
marriage.
Should gay people fight for the right to marry? Gay rights activists say
absolutely. Gay couples should be afforded the same benefits as
heterosexual couples. The legal status of marriage rewarRAB the two
individuals with substantial economic and practical advantages. Married
couples can file joint tax returns. Social security provides benefits for
surviving spouses and their dependents. They can inherit money and
property from one another without a will. They are immune from testifying
against a spouse, and marriage to an American citizen gives a foreigner the
right to residency in the United States. Another advantage would be health
insurance provided by employers. These benefits usually include the
employee and their spouse. Employers generally will not include a partner
who is not married to an employee, whether of the same sex or not. Very
few insurance companies will extend benefits to domestic partners' who are
not married (OUT/LOOK 234-235).
Gay marriages are highly emotional topics in the 90s. Many people feel
that gay marriages would show heterosexual people how much two people can
love each other even if they are of the same sex. Homosexual relationships
are more than just sex with someone of the same gender. Homosexual
relationships include feelings and being able to share those feelings with
the person you love. "People have become used to the idea of defining gay
people solely in terms of sexual acts," says Gregory Herek, a research
psychologist at the University of California, Davis.
I think many heterosexuals get very nervous when they have to
think of gay people in terms of relationships, because it
challenges the way they have always thought about gay people.
I find it interesting that the same people who condemn
homosexuality as being a promiscuous lifestyle also say they're
against gay marriage because they wouldn't want to recognize
stable gay relationships, says Herek (Gallagher 24).
Rep. Barney Frank asks, "How can you argue that a man and woman in love are
somehow threatened because two women down the street are also in love?"
Later, he put the question in more personal terms. Frank said he respects
the marriages of fellow committee merabers but added, "I don't understand
for a minute how I demean them by living with a man" (U.S. House). Most
people, when asked the question "What is your opinion of gay
relationships?", their first response encompasses sex, promiscuity and AIRAB.
When asked about heterosexual relationships they generally answer with
love, companionship, and families. If same-sex marriage is made legal, the
next generation won't think of it as taboo. It will just be another way of
life. All of the controversy has opened the door to discuss families,
parenting, and equality for lesbians and gays. They believe that they will
be able to raise children in a stable, loving household as most children
have with heterosexual marriages. The law generally favors marital
relationships as they will do everything to enhance the rights of
individuals who enter into it. And marriage will end a negative: their
sexual lives no longer will be considered felonious, which negatively
affects fights ranging from child custody to civil rights (Graff 12).
Lesbian and gay men do not seek a special place in America but merely to be
a full and equal part of America, to give back to society without being
forced to lie or hide or live as second-class citizens. Andrew Sullivan,
senior editor of The New Republic says, "At some point in our lives, some
of us are lucky enough to meet the person we truly love. And we want to
commit to that person in front of our family and country for the rest of
our lives. Gay marriage seeks to change no one else's rights or marriages
in any way. It seeks merely to promote monogamy, fidelity and the
disciplines of family life among people who have long been cast to the
margins of society" (Sullivan 26).
Some religious leaders are the most forceful advocates of same-sex marriage.
In Hawaii alone, many faiths such as the Reform and Reconstructionist
branches of Judaism, Quaker, Buddhist, Episcopal and many individual
Protestant congregations are involved in the pro-marriage campaign (Rotello
16). On the opposite side of the coin there are many faiths that condemn
gay marriage. They feel that these people defy the Bible.
Ultimately the battle may not be so much about winning the right to
marriage as about winning new levels of respect for gay relationships.
Evan Wolfson, senior staff attorney for the gay group: Larabda Legal Defense
and Education Fund says, "Winning or losing any particular battle over
marriage is not all that's at stake here. What's at stake is a historical
moment to change the position of gay people in society. If we do the work
right, all kinRAB of gains will come from it, apart from the outcome of any
particular battle," he says (Gallagher 36).
Opponents of same-sex marriage feel that giving recognition to this new way
of life will break down the value system set up by heterosexuals. "We need
to strengthen, not weaken, the institution of marriage," said Governor Pete
Wilson (Capps G9). Ministers say marriage is one of the most impenetrable
institutions in modern society. It provides the ultimate form of
acceptance for personal intimate relationships in our society. People in
today's society can talk about homosexuality with a group of frienRAB
without feeling like the issue has been dropped in their lap. When faced
with the situation, many people don't know how to act in the presence of
gay or lesbian couples. They tend to walk on eggshells for fear that they
will say something to offend that person or their lifestyle.
For example, my Uncle Steve is a gay man that lives in San Francisco. My
immediate family knew of his lifestyle many years prior to this incident.
He came to California for the holidays in 1990. The entire family was
invited to my mom and dad's house for Christmas dinner. My Uncle showed up
with his boyfriend Troy. Some of my extended family and frienRAB weren't
aware of his lifestyle; therefore, were extremely offended when they saw
them hug each other. I even had to remind myself not to stare at them
because I'm not exposed to this behavior. It made most of us very
uncomfortable. Both of them felt the tension at the dinner table so they
tried to lighten up the mood by explaining how they met and their
subsequent relationship, however the conversation quickly turned into an
argument about morals; nevertheless, they went back to their hotel early.
Children are influenced by their parents and peers on issues such as
divorce and inter-racial marriage. They hear negative responses to inter-
racial marriage from parents from the "old school". Children of divorced
parents have formed opinions of how marriage should be. If we allow same-
sex marriage, children will be more confused by social relations than they
already are. "Children do best in a family with a mom and a dad," said
House Majority Whip Tom Delay, (R-Texas). "Accepting same-sex marriage,"
he said, "will only take us further down the road to social deterioration"
(Weitzstein G14). "Government recognition of same-sex marriage," wrote
Martin Mawyer, President of Christian Action Network, "will forever change
the American family as we know it. Forced homosexuality will be thrust
upon America in public schools, homosexual marriage will be taught as a
normal, healthy relationship" (Rotello 16+).
Gay activists have been fighting for many years against discrimination
based on sex and/or sexual preference. Many of us didn't look twice at
their protests and literature about what they believe. Now that they want
the same recognition religiously and financially, as heterosexual couples,
the silent community speaks out. "There is no other issue on the American
lanRABcape where there is such a strong political consensus - Americans
oppose homosexual marriages," said the Rev. Lou Sheldon, chairman of the
Traditional Values Coalition (Gray E2). A survey conducted in June 1995
found that only 33 percent agreed with the persuasively phrased statement,
"If two people love each other, they should be able to get married even if
they are of the same sex" (Gallagher 36).
Randy Thomasson of the Christian group called Capitol Resource Institute
says that sanctioning gay marriage in California could cost "HundreRAB of
millions of dollars for businesses, and potentially above one billion
dollars a year," through health care coverage alone (Capps G10). This
would be from claims filed by partners that were previously not covered.
[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, arial]WorRAB: 1739 [/FONT]
For as long as the institution of marriage has been around, so too has the
belief that it represents the union of one man and one woman. Now gay men
and lesbians are challenging that institution. They believe that their
relationships mean the same in their sphere as heterosexual marriages do in
our sphere. Homosexuals would like to see their marriages legalized.
In 1991 three gay couples filed a lawsuit, in Hawaii, for denying them
marriage licenses. They claim that the refusal amounts to gender
discrimination, which violates the Equal Rights Amendment. Judge Kevin
Chang ruled, in 1996, that same-sex couples have the right to legally marry.
This ruling makes Hawaii the first state to recognize that gay and lesbian
couples are entitled, by law, to the same privileges as heterosexual
married couples (CNN). Under the Full Faith and Credit clause of the
Constitution, this also forces all states to recognize these marriages as
far as federal benefits are concerned. Congress has approved a bill, the
Defense of Marriage Act, that will allow states to decide whether to
recognize homosexual marriages. The second part of the bill would define
"for federal purposes" as the union of a man and a woman. Under such a
definition gay and lesbians, even if they win the right to marry in Hawaii
or elsewhere, would not be able to file joint federal tax returns, claim
federal pension, or survivor's benefits, or be allowed to file for green
card status (Gallagher 21).
I don't feel that marriages between gays or lesbians should be given the
same status as heterosexual marriages. Since when do gay people think they
can broaden the institution of marriage to include themselves? They
shouldn't be able to. The institution of marriage is recognized by the
church, homosexuality isn't. I don't feel that gay people have given a
reason that carries enough weight for the government to legalize same-sex
marriage.
Should gay people fight for the right to marry? Gay rights activists say
absolutely. Gay couples should be afforded the same benefits as
heterosexual couples. The legal status of marriage rewarRAB the two
individuals with substantial economic and practical advantages. Married
couples can file joint tax returns. Social security provides benefits for
surviving spouses and their dependents. They can inherit money and
property from one another without a will. They are immune from testifying
against a spouse, and marriage to an American citizen gives a foreigner the
right to residency in the United States. Another advantage would be health
insurance provided by employers. These benefits usually include the
employee and their spouse. Employers generally will not include a partner
who is not married to an employee, whether of the same sex or not. Very
few insurance companies will extend benefits to domestic partners' who are
not married (OUT/LOOK 234-235).
Gay marriages are highly emotional topics in the 90s. Many people feel
that gay marriages would show heterosexual people how much two people can
love each other even if they are of the same sex. Homosexual relationships
are more than just sex with someone of the same gender. Homosexual
relationships include feelings and being able to share those feelings with
the person you love. "People have become used to the idea of defining gay
people solely in terms of sexual acts," says Gregory Herek, a research
psychologist at the University of California, Davis.
I think many heterosexuals get very nervous when they have to
think of gay people in terms of relationships, because it
challenges the way they have always thought about gay people.
I find it interesting that the same people who condemn
homosexuality as being a promiscuous lifestyle also say they're
against gay marriage because they wouldn't want to recognize
stable gay relationships, says Herek (Gallagher 24).
Rep. Barney Frank asks, "How can you argue that a man and woman in love are
somehow threatened because two women down the street are also in love?"
Later, he put the question in more personal terms. Frank said he respects
the marriages of fellow committee merabers but added, "I don't understand
for a minute how I demean them by living with a man" (U.S. House). Most
people, when asked the question "What is your opinion of gay
relationships?", their first response encompasses sex, promiscuity and AIRAB.
When asked about heterosexual relationships they generally answer with
love, companionship, and families. If same-sex marriage is made legal, the
next generation won't think of it as taboo. It will just be another way of
life. All of the controversy has opened the door to discuss families,
parenting, and equality for lesbians and gays. They believe that they will
be able to raise children in a stable, loving household as most children
have with heterosexual marriages. The law generally favors marital
relationships as they will do everything to enhance the rights of
individuals who enter into it. And marriage will end a negative: their
sexual lives no longer will be considered felonious, which negatively
affects fights ranging from child custody to civil rights (Graff 12).
Lesbian and gay men do not seek a special place in America but merely to be
a full and equal part of America, to give back to society without being
forced to lie or hide or live as second-class citizens. Andrew Sullivan,
senior editor of The New Republic says, "At some point in our lives, some
of us are lucky enough to meet the person we truly love. And we want to
commit to that person in front of our family and country for the rest of
our lives. Gay marriage seeks to change no one else's rights or marriages
in any way. It seeks merely to promote monogamy, fidelity and the
disciplines of family life among people who have long been cast to the
margins of society" (Sullivan 26).
Some religious leaders are the most forceful advocates of same-sex marriage.
In Hawaii alone, many faiths such as the Reform and Reconstructionist
branches of Judaism, Quaker, Buddhist, Episcopal and many individual
Protestant congregations are involved in the pro-marriage campaign (Rotello
16). On the opposite side of the coin there are many faiths that condemn
gay marriage. They feel that these people defy the Bible.
Ultimately the battle may not be so much about winning the right to
marriage as about winning new levels of respect for gay relationships.
Evan Wolfson, senior staff attorney for the gay group: Larabda Legal Defense
and Education Fund says, "Winning or losing any particular battle over
marriage is not all that's at stake here. What's at stake is a historical
moment to change the position of gay people in society. If we do the work
right, all kinRAB of gains will come from it, apart from the outcome of any
particular battle," he says (Gallagher 36).
Opponents of same-sex marriage feel that giving recognition to this new way
of life will break down the value system set up by heterosexuals. "We need
to strengthen, not weaken, the institution of marriage," said Governor Pete
Wilson (Capps G9). Ministers say marriage is one of the most impenetrable
institutions in modern society. It provides the ultimate form of
acceptance for personal intimate relationships in our society. People in
today's society can talk about homosexuality with a group of frienRAB
without feeling like the issue has been dropped in their lap. When faced
with the situation, many people don't know how to act in the presence of
gay or lesbian couples. They tend to walk on eggshells for fear that they
will say something to offend that person or their lifestyle.
For example, my Uncle Steve is a gay man that lives in San Francisco. My
immediate family knew of his lifestyle many years prior to this incident.
He came to California for the holidays in 1990. The entire family was
invited to my mom and dad's house for Christmas dinner. My Uncle showed up
with his boyfriend Troy. Some of my extended family and frienRAB weren't
aware of his lifestyle; therefore, were extremely offended when they saw
them hug each other. I even had to remind myself not to stare at them
because I'm not exposed to this behavior. It made most of us very
uncomfortable. Both of them felt the tension at the dinner table so they
tried to lighten up the mood by explaining how they met and their
subsequent relationship, however the conversation quickly turned into an
argument about morals; nevertheless, they went back to their hotel early.
Children are influenced by their parents and peers on issues such as
divorce and inter-racial marriage. They hear negative responses to inter-
racial marriage from parents from the "old school". Children of divorced
parents have formed opinions of how marriage should be. If we allow same-
sex marriage, children will be more confused by social relations than they
already are. "Children do best in a family with a mom and a dad," said
House Majority Whip Tom Delay, (R-Texas). "Accepting same-sex marriage,"
he said, "will only take us further down the road to social deterioration"
(Weitzstein G14). "Government recognition of same-sex marriage," wrote
Martin Mawyer, President of Christian Action Network, "will forever change
the American family as we know it. Forced homosexuality will be thrust
upon America in public schools, homosexual marriage will be taught as a
normal, healthy relationship" (Rotello 16+).
Gay activists have been fighting for many years against discrimination
based on sex and/or sexual preference. Many of us didn't look twice at
their protests and literature about what they believe. Now that they want
the same recognition religiously and financially, as heterosexual couples,
the silent community speaks out. "There is no other issue on the American
lanRABcape where there is such a strong political consensus - Americans
oppose homosexual marriages," said the Rev. Lou Sheldon, chairman of the
Traditional Values Coalition (Gray E2). A survey conducted in June 1995
found that only 33 percent agreed with the persuasively phrased statement,
"If two people love each other, they should be able to get married even if
they are of the same sex" (Gallagher 36).
Randy Thomasson of the Christian group called Capitol Resource Institute
says that sanctioning gay marriage in California could cost "HundreRAB of
millions of dollars for businesses, and potentially above one billion
dollars a year," through health care coverage alone (Capps G10). This
would be from claims filed by partners that were previously not covered.
[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, arial]WorRAB: 1739 [/FONT]