Gay Marriage
Adriane Millershaski
Hildebrand
Sophomore English
14 January 2013
Gay Marriage Have you ever imagined or planned out your dream wedding? As a sixteen year old girl, I know I have. Most people will find the one they love, and happily marry them with the intent they will be together for the rest of their lives. However, some people do not get this luxury. Gay marriage has been a highly discussed subject for the past few years, causing tension in places of work, churches, and even at home. It has caused discrimination in numerous work places including the military with "Don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) being the official policy from December 21, 1993 to September 20, 2011. As a person with gay parents, I feel that you should be able to marry who you want, despite your sexual orientation. Legalizing gay marriage will not harm heterosexual marriages or "family values.” A study published on Apr. 13, 2009 in Social Science Quarterly found that "laws permitting same-sex marriage or civil unions have no adverse effect on marriage, divorce, and abortion rates, or the percent of children born out of wedlock..." Allowing same-sex couples to marry will give them access to basic rights such as hospital visitation during an illness, taxation and inheritance rights, access to family health coverage, and protection in the event of the relationship ending. Nine states have legalized gay marriage: Massachusetts (May 17, 2004), Connecticut (Nov. 12, 2008), Iowa (Apr. 24. 2009), Vermont (Sep. 1, 2009), New `Hampshire (Jan. 1, 2010), New York (June 24, 2011), Maryland (Nov. 6, 2012), Maine (Nov. 6, 2012), and Washington (Nov. 6, 2012). 31 states have constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. Six states have laws banning same-sex marriage. The District of Columbia legalized same-sex marriage on March 3, 2010. All in all, legalizing gay marriage is a civil right. I believe that my parents should be able to enjoy all the luxuries traditional couples have. My parents have
Hildebrand
Sophomore English
14 January 2013
Gay Marriage Have you ever imagined or planned out your dream wedding? As a sixteen year old girl, I know I have. Most people will find the one they love, and happily marry them with the intent they will be together for the rest of their lives. However, some people do not get this luxury. Gay marriage has been a highly discussed subject for the past few years, causing tension in places of work, churches, and even at home. It has caused discrimination in numerous work places including the military with "Don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) being the official policy from December 21, 1993 to September 20, 2011. As a person with gay parents, I feel that you should be able to marry who you want, despite your sexual orientation. Legalizing gay marriage will not harm heterosexual marriages or "family values.” A study published on Apr. 13, 2009 in Social Science Quarterly found that "laws permitting same-sex marriage or civil unions have no adverse effect on marriage, divorce, and abortion rates, or the percent of children born out of wedlock..." Allowing same-sex couples to marry will give them access to basic rights such as hospital visitation during an illness, taxation and inheritance rights, access to family health coverage, and protection in the event of the relationship ending. Nine states have legalized gay marriage: Massachusetts (May 17, 2004), Connecticut (Nov. 12, 2008), Iowa (Apr. 24. 2009), Vermont (Sep. 1, 2009), New `Hampshire (Jan. 1, 2010), New York (June 24, 2011), Maryland (Nov. 6, 2012), Maine (Nov. 6, 2012), and Washington (Nov. 6, 2012). 31 states have constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. Six states have laws banning same-sex marriage. The District of Columbia legalized same-sex marriage on March 3, 2010. All in all, legalizing gay marriage is a civil right. I believe that my parents should be able to enjoy all the luxuries traditional couples have. My parents have