Verified Document

California Proposition 8: Fighting For Same-Sex Marriages Research Paper

California Proposition 8: Fighting for Same-Sex Marriages and Rights

Introduction to Same-Sex Marriages in California

Same-sex marriage has been a sensitive subject in America for more than the last couple of years. In California, gay marriage has had a unique history. The mayor of San Francisco, issued marriage certificates in 2004 in which same sex couples were allowed to apply and be approved for. Californians were outraged and began to press charges against the San Francisco mayor.

At its end, the Supreme Court of California determined that they were to grant equal rights protection to same-sex couples-including marriage (Holton, 2008). Less than six months later, the marriage rights ended with the passing of Proposition 8. Proposition 8 made marriage legal only for one man and one woman, and limited the rights that same-sex couples were able to have (Voters Guide, 2008).

Ethical Issues Addressed in Proposition 8

The ethics of allowing same-sex marriage will be argued into eternity. America is a country founded for religious freedom, where all people are created equal (Declaration of Independence, 1776). When claiming that all people are created equal, this does not exclude those wanting to be married to one of the same gender. However, an argument on the opposing side states that marriage was a religious practice, and in most religions with marriage, homosexuality is forbidden (Religious Facts, 2011).

Proposition 8 was an attempt to make both those in favor and those against same-sex marriages compromise. It allows those that already have same-sex civil unions to be protected under law with the same rights as couples made of one man and one woman. To please those not in favor of same-sex marriages, the law also states that same-sex marriages may no longer take place.

3) The Vulnerable...

A second, less recognized demographic affected by Proposition 8 are those not in favor of same-sex marriages. Had same-sex marriages continued, the people of California would have seen an increase in accommodations for the same-sex couples in office buildings, social facilities, and public locations (Glionna, 2008).
4) The Goals and Purposes of Proposition 8

The original goal in California was to allow same-sex couples to have the same rights as couples made of one man and one woman. When the Supreme Court of California granted licensing to begin on June 16, 2008, controversy arose, making those not in favor of same-sex marriages to propose Proposition 8. During the election time, Proposition 8 was successfully passed.

While Proposition 8 limited marriage to those between one man and one woman, it also protected those same-sex couples that had marriage in the give month span it was legal in California. Also, the Proposition allowed same-sex marriages formed before its passing would be recognized with the same rights as legal marriages, and civil unions made internationally, in other states, or by any other civil entity would also receive full recognition (Robertson, 2009).

5) Strengths of and Drawbacks or Problems within Proposition 8

When the laws to protect and give rights to same-sex couples were passed in California, its primary focus was to allow gay couples to have the same rights as heterosexual married couples. As America was founded upon the right that all people are created equal, it was empowering to finally give another discriminated group the right to be legally recognized as…

Sources used in this document:
References

Declaration of Independence. (1776, July 4). The declaration of independence. Retrieved March

9, 2011 from http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/

Dolan, M. (2008, May 17). Gay marriage ban overturned. Retrieved March 9, 2011 from http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2008/06/san-francisco-3.html

Glionna, J.M. (2008, June 17). San Francisco mayor: Defeating gay marriage is literally the bush agenda. Retrieved March 9, 2011 from http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2008/06/san-francisco-3.html
California supreme court denies hearing and stay in marriage cases (31). San Francisco, California: Public Information Office. Retrieved from http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/presscenter/newsreleases/NR31-08.PDF
Religious Facts. (2011). Homosexuality and religion. Retrieved March 9, 2011 from http://www.religionfacts.com/homosexuality/index.htm
Retrieved March 9, 2011 from http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2009/10/12/daily8.html
Voters Guide. (2008). Text of proposed laws. Retrieved March 9, 2011 from http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/past/2008/general/text-proposed-laws/text-of-proposed-laws.pdf#prop8
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

California Natural Resources California Is
Words: 1647 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Oil was tucked deep in the belly of the earth and was often mixed with brine. It required innovations in drilling and refinery. In timber production, it demanded innovation in the felling of trees, sawing mills and processing of wood. California was the first place to have an offshore drilling station. Water had to be moved for long distances for hydroelectric power and irrigation. Technological innovations allowed all this

California Proposition 8: Same Sex Marriage the
Words: 2846 Length: 8 Document Type: Research Paper

California Proposition 8: Same Sex Marriage The equal right to marry for same-sex couples in the United States has acquired growing public support over time, with a quantity of state-level laws passed and others presently up for debate. Proposition 8 was a ballot proposition and constitutional amendment that was passed in the November 2008 state elections in California. The measure added a new provision, Section 7.5 of the Declaration of Rights,

Proposition of Value -- Policy
Words: 828 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

However, a consideration of each element of that argument reveals that it is a flawed position. The most effective way of preventing minors from obtaining marijuana would be for government authorities to regulate and control its lawful distribution. There may be now way to ever guarantee that minors will not obtain marijuana, but that problem would be comparable to the current problem of minors obtaining alcohol and cigarettes. Given the

Propositions That Pertain to the Policy-Making Process.
Words: 1476 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

propositions that pertain to the policy-making process. After that, these propositions are to be tested. The author of this response will offer these three propositions, and the rationale behind them, one by one. The first proposition is that policy-making should be based less on simply facets of compassions and "fairness" and more on the results that would be garnered. A lot of people, for example, say that welfare was

8 Issues Regarding Public Health in Brazil
Words: 973 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Developing Country and Health: Enhancing Public Health in Brazil In Brazil, public health issues are similar to those in other developing and developed countries. For instance, just as obesity and diabetes is a problem of epidemic proportions in the U.S., so too is it in Brazil. Brazil's health care structure, however, is significantly different, with free health care for all citizens being available (the finer details of this policy are not

Eight-Stage Model of Planned Organizational
Words: 597 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

First, the strategic crisis leader should use environmental monitoring techniques to identify events that could trigger crises in the future. With numerous potential crises in today's environment, it is essential to be prepared for potential worst-case scenarios such as natural disasters and product failures. Second, the leader should integrate crisis management into the strategic management process so it remains a regular part of the overall strategy-evaluation process. Strategic management

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now