The argument over the legalization of same sex marriages is rapidly becoming one of the most vigorously advocated reform subjects in recent law review. Being gay and loving someone is not illegal, but uniting that couple in a legal marriage is rejected by most of society in this country.
Each state has had to deal with legal issues concerning same sex marriages to some extent. Most supporters of the ban on gay marriages believe that it would be a strong cause of immorality and corruption of the American family. People who do not support same sex marriages believe that it would create an unhealthy family, and could cause serious harm to children in that family, while supporters of same sex marriages believe that they are being denied the benefits such as establishing a right of survivorship, co-partner medical and retirement benefits. It is felt by most homosexuals that these benefits would help create a stronger stability in a long-term relationship. Most of the volunteer and financial support against gay marriage comes from religious groups or churches. “Catholics, Mormons, and evangelists make up more than 40 percent of California’s population, and raised millions of dollars to pass the amendment.
” Same sex marriages are both mentally and physically wrong in the minds of most parishioners. They find the concept immoral because according to the Bible, sex between members of the same sex is strictly prohibited, much less marriage. Proposition 22 was one of many campaigns led by religious conservatives, which prohibits California from allowing marital rights to gay couples who married in another state, and it only recognizes marriages between man and a woman. Since, some churches have religious ceremonies for same sex couples, they are not considered a religious sacrament. According to a bipartisan group called the California Protection of Marriage Initiative, ” Marriage should be preserved for what it is: An irreplaceable union between a man and a woman.
” The belief behind this proposition is that it affirms the irreplaceable role between man and woman in our society. Proposition 22 supporters disavowed any anti-gay motives, and said the goal was to let Californians define marriage for themselves. Religious conservatives believe that if a gay couple were to marry, the next step would be to have children. Since there is no natural way for two people of the same gender can conceive a child, they would have to adopt, or artificial insemination for some lesbian couples. Although, there have been recent rules and regulations which have been created with the sole purpose of preventing adoption for gay couples.
The regulations were made to protect children from being placed in an unhealthy family. According to online columnist Mike Regan, “Marriage between one man and one woman gives children the best economic, emotional, and psychological environment in which to grow up. ” Conservatives who support the ban on same sex marriages believe that children placed in a homosexual household would be unbearably harassed by other children, and would suffer though a lot of emotional stress during the course of their childhood. Possibly even having the fear that a heterosexual child growing up in a gay household may eventually turn homosexual in the future. But most of all, since conservatives believe strongly in the tradition family, it is thought that children growing up with gay parents will have an abstract view of the American family and its values.
People, who favor legalizing marriages between gay couples, see it as letting individuals be themselves. Some supporters feel that marriage may help reinforce a stronger stability in gay couples by adding closure to the relationship of same sex unions. Since the same sex marriages are not legal at this time, gay couples are denied benefits which are granted to married couples, such as spousal immigration benefits, appointment as guardian of a minor, support payments in a divorce action, and making partner medical decisions. Most gay couples are also denied the benefits for their partners given by their employers like medical and retirement benefits since they are not married. It was during the 1970’s some lesbians and gay men also began to advocate the legal right to marry. But, the most recent break through on legalizing .
