According to Kohut, 14% of the general population in American society believes that homosexuality is due to upbringing, 42% believe it is a matter of lifestyle, and 30% believe people are born homosexual (Conan). Among those people who believe that homosexuals are born, there is strong support for gay marriage, however among those who believe it is a matter of choice, there is heavy opposition (Conan). Interestingly, 80% believe that there should be no restrictions on sex between consenting adults (Conan).
Aside from the religious opposition, there is reason for concern among the legal community. Stanley Kurtz of the Hoover Institution explains that if marriage is redefined to include same-sex couples it could be very difficult to stop the process (Conan). In other words, if the law declares that it is discriminatory to deny the benefits of marriage to homosexuals, then at some point there will be a suit from a group of people who want to get married, thus if the issue is about consenting adults or whatever sex, the next question will be concerning the number of consenting adults (Conan). Says Kurtz, "Once it become strictly a matter of equal rights and non-discrimination, it's pretty hard to come up with a reason to exclude a multiple partner marriage" (Conan). Moreover, there are already groups that have started to voice the opinion that the special support and encouragement that society gives to married parents is discriminatory, and that there should be a move toward legal equalization of cohabitation and marriage so that people who are merely cohabitating can receive the same legal benefits as married couples (Conan). Therefore, notes Kurtz, once society accepts the idea that it cannot give special support and encouragement to men and women who are married because that is discriminatory, "we're going to have to redefine marriage and the whole structure of marriage in such a way as to basically define it out of existence" (Conan).
March 9, 2004. Retrieved December 17, 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.
Graham, Tony. "Legislature OKs Civil-Union Bill." The Philadelphia Inquirer. December 15, 2006. Retrieved December 17, 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.
Hymowitz, Kay S. "I do?(Gay Marriage: Why It is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for America)." Commentary. June 1, 2004. Retrieved December 17, 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.
Rauch, Jonathan. "Dire straights: why outlawing marriage for gays will undermine marriage for all." Washington Monthly. April 1, 2004. Retrieved December 17, 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.
Report on marriage rights for same-sex couples in New York: The Association of the Bar of the City of New York Committeee on lesbian and gay rights, committee on sex and law and committee on civil rights." Columbia Journal of Gender and Law. January 1, 2004. Retrieved…
Gay marriage is a topical and controversial issue, as evidenced by the subject's coverage in the media, presence on ballot initiatives and the high visibility of the controversy in general. There are a few different ethical issues where gay marriage is concerned. To opponents, the primary ethical issue relates to concepts such as the sanctity of marriage and the survival of the species. For proponents, the ethical issues are greater,
Gay Marriage A Discussion about the Relevant Factors that Affect Same-Sex Partners in the Modern World Gay marriage, or same-sex marriage, is one of the most controversial topics in the modern age. It can be a divisive topic because many people feel strongly about the issue from both sides. Many argue that any form of partnership should have equal rights as the traditional marriages do and cite legal arguments and make reference
Gay Marriage Many same-sex couples want to be granted the right to legally marry. The reason is simple: They are in love with each other. They want to honor their relationship in the greatest way society has to offer, by making a public commitment to stand together in good times and bad life brings. While they receive some state-level protections, they do not receive most of the federal emotional and economic
Homosexual Marriage and the Impacts on Parenting Homosexual marriage refers to legal matrimony between two individuals of the same gender and it is a phenomenon which has come under a great deal of scrutiny and debate during the last few years. As of the time of this writing nine states have legalized gay marriage, and 31 states have constitutional amendments which ban gay marriage to some extent -- a fact alone
Its historical design is founded in the marriage relationship and thus depends wholly thereupon" (85). Advocates of same-sex marriages maintain that gay and lesbian partners need the legal framework of marriage to provide them with the same protections that are enjoyed by their heterosexual counterparts; however, these individuals already enjoy the same constitutional protections afforded all American citizens. According to Coolidge, Duncan, Strasser and Wardle (2003), any laws that
" (Quoted in Hillary Goodridge & others v. Department of Public Health...") Implementing the Court's decision, Massachusetts made same sex marriage legal in the state on May 17, 2004; it is thus far the only state to do so. Most other states have enacted constitutional provisions that define marriage as a union of one man and one woman. Conservatives Propose Constitutional Amendment: The legalization of gay marriage in Massachusetts and issuance
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