Same-Sex Marriage

Kera Collinson
Dr. Gilmartin
3 December 2009
Research Paper

Throughout time the majority has always pushed those that are different to conform. People have been taught that they are an outsider if they don't fit in with the rest of society or if they go against the norms. In our society, there are often certain groups of people that are seen as outside the spectrum of the norm. These groups are often denied rights or certain privileges. Over the centuries there have been many groups of people that have been subject to this type of treatment. During the Middle Ages it was women and the Jews. In the 19th century it happened to be blacks. This century however it is those in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, or LGBT, community.
The biggest issue facing people of the LGBT community in the United States is same-sex marriage. The reason why most people enter into a marriage contract is to gain the same rights and privileges as their partner. Marriage conveys 1,138 separate rights and protections upon signage of a marriage license.   Another issue that concerns the community is hate crimes legislation. Burn a cross in a black person's yard or deface a local mosque or temple and you have committed a hate crime. But beat up someone because they are gay and that wasn't a hate crime under federal law until very recently. There is also currently no law that protects LGBT people against discrimination in the workplace.
While this may be true in America and some other western nations it is not the case all over the world. There are many nations that freely embrace LGBT people. In most western nations though homosexuality is seen as a “taboo” topic. America is behind the times within the international community. Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, and Spain have had marriage equality for quite some time. Even South Africa agrees that not allowing same-sex couples to marry is unconstitutional. South Africa also warns of accepting civil unions instead of marriage... [continues]

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