Sexuality

Same-Sex Marriage

Sexuality Paper

The legality of same-sex marriage is a controversial subject that has been debated for the last several decades amongst all cultures. Although thirty-seven states allow same-sex marriage, thirteen states ban these unions. This topic is still at the forefront of many legal and political discussions; however, the gay and lesbian community has made huge strides for civil liberties. Gay couples still do not have some of the same basic rights that many take for granted, but there have been huge accomplishments over the last twenty years. Marriage equality is a human right that every citizen should receive without prejudice, and regardless of gender.

Some issues begin with the definition of marriage. Many define marriage as a union or bond between a man and a woman. Until DOMA, the United States did not condone or forbid same-sex marriage. Therefore, it was open to interpretation. The Fourteenth Amendment, which allow equal protection and equal rights under the law was ratified in the 1800’s, due to the unfair treatment of black people. It was not until 1967 that the Fourteenth Amendment was used in a case involving an interracial couple. Loving vs. Virginia set a precedent for marriage in general. The United States Supreme Court ruled that marriage is a basic right afforded to everyone and that every person had the right to marry whom they wanted. At the time, no one imagined that this precedent and case would be used to fight for same-sex marriages. Based on what the Justices ruled, same-sex marriage should be accepted in all states because it is a basic right of every human being.

Throughout the centuries, the idea of what society perceives to be a normal family has changed drastically. However, nothing has been quite as controversial as same-sex marriage and same-sex families. Many use traditions as a reason to oppose same-sex marriage. However, the traditional family of the twenty-first century is nothing like the...