Denial of Gay Marriage: Macro Theories and Effects on the Population
Denial of Gay Marriage: Macro Theories and Effects on the Population
Introduction and Effects For thousands of years heterosexual couples have been wed into the institution of marriage. Until recently, the population of same sex partners who are denied equal familial rights was primarily only an issue within the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GBLT) community. Same sex relationships parallel those of traditional marriage such as commitment, sacrifice, and sharing of responsibilities (Smith, 2009). However, homosexuals are only afforded a private contract rather than public recognition. Some of the hurdles that marriage equality faces are religion, children being brought up with a lack of acceptance towards people who are different and legislation. Same sex couples cease to receive benefits equivalent to those of heterosexual couples. For example, health care benefits; since gays cannot marry—they cannot be carried under spousal health insurance. Also regarding health, if calamity arises and life changing decisions are required the significant other would legally have no say in decisions that would need to be made. Should death arise, the living partner could be left with nothing due to next of kin. Although marriage inequality is clearly discrimination against homosexuals, there are currently laws to strengthen this oppression. In fact, The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) states that only thirteen out of the fifty United States have “[n]o same- sex marriage prohibitions (2013). The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) prevents homosexual couples from receiving benefits traditionally given to a spouse by defining the word ‘marriage’ as a “legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife” (H.R., 1996). It is difficult to pose an argument with this traditional definition.
Theory and Causal Explanations
Social systems theory Marital type relationships have always existed but began to gain national attention in 1993
Introduction and Effects For thousands of years heterosexual couples have been wed into the institution of marriage. Until recently, the population of same sex partners who are denied equal familial rights was primarily only an issue within the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GBLT) community. Same sex relationships parallel those of traditional marriage such as commitment, sacrifice, and sharing of responsibilities (Smith, 2009). However, homosexuals are only afforded a private contract rather than public recognition. Some of the hurdles that marriage equality faces are religion, children being brought up with a lack of acceptance towards people who are different and legislation. Same sex couples cease to receive benefits equivalent to those of heterosexual couples. For example, health care benefits; since gays cannot marry—they cannot be carried under spousal health insurance. Also regarding health, if calamity arises and life changing decisions are required the significant other would legally have no say in decisions that would need to be made. Should death arise, the living partner could be left with nothing due to next of kin. Although marriage inequality is clearly discrimination against homosexuals, there are currently laws to strengthen this oppression. In fact, The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) states that only thirteen out of the fifty United States have “[n]o same- sex marriage prohibitions (2013). The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) prevents homosexual couples from receiving benefits traditionally given to a spouse by defining the word ‘marriage’ as a “legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife” (H.R., 1996). It is difficult to pose an argument with this traditional definition.
Theory and Causal Explanations
Social systems theory Marital type relationships have always existed but began to gain national attention in 1993
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