The first laws in modern times enabling same-sex marriage were enacted during the first decade of the 21st century. As of 19 August 2013, fifteen countries (Argentina, Belgium, Brazil,Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Sweden,Uruguay) and several sub-national jurisdictions (parts of Mexico and the United States) allow same-sex couples to marry. A law has been passed by the United Kingdom, effective in England and Wales, which is expected to be fully in force in 2014. Polls in various countries show that there is rising support for legally recognizing same-sex marriage across race, ethnicity, age, religion, political affiliation, and socioeconomic status.
Introduction of same-sex marriage laws has varied by jurisdiction, being variously accomplished through a legislative change to marriage laws, a court ruling based on constitutional guarantees of equality, or by direct popular vote (via a ballot initiative or areferendum). The recognition of same-sex marriage is a political, social, human rights and civil rights issue, as well as a religious issue in many nations and around the world, and debates continue to arise over whether same-sex couples should be allowed marriage, be required to hold a different status (a civil union), or be denied recognition of such rights. Same-sex marriage can provide LGBT taxpayers with government services and make financial demands on them comparable to those afforded to and required of male-female married couples. Same-sex marriage also gives them legal protections such as inheritance and hospital visitation rights.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Should Gay Marriage be Legalized? Gay marriage has been a critical topic in many countries since 1924. Around the year 2000, countries such as America and the UK started approving gay marriages, although not everyone agreed with this decision. Still in 2013, homosexuals are fighting for their right to get married to someone of their same sex. People against gay marriage feel that if it was to be legalized, the importance of marriage would fade away and some people would refer to marriage in a different way. According to an article from the Human Rights Campaign, there is nothing wrong with allowing homosexuals to have the same rights as those who are heterosexual. Every individual person should have equal rights, regardless of sexuality. Gay marriage should be legalized in all states and countries, as it has been held off for too long.…
- 474 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
“In America, six states plus D.C. allow same-sex couples to marry, three more respect marriages of same-sex couples validly preformed in other states, eight provide civil unions or comprehensive domestic partnerships, and three more have limited domestic partnership systems. That’s twenty states plus D.C. that provide some significant state-level relationship protections, and those states are home to 130 million people” (LGBT Relationships).…
- 2799 Words
- 12 Pages
Good Essays -
Same sex marriage didn’t come to issue all of sudden. Despite U.S. same-sex couples have the freedom to marry in 37 states yet still facing prejudiced public gaze. To follow most people’s religious beliefs or traditions, same-sex marriage is something which shouldn’t be happening or accepted however, every person have the right to love and stay with whom they love. Same-sex marriage might be an issue against to our belief but when we get rid of our prejudice it could be nothing different than heterosexual marriage.…
- 412 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
There have been several questions that have caused controversial issues for the government. One of these questions is, Can the government regulate who can and cannot marry? This is an important question relating to same-sex marriages. I believe that the government cannot regulate who can and cannot marry.…
- 674 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Same-sex marriage is the Civil Rights Movement of our time. Same-sex marriage is also a big controversial topic. Over the course of history the majority of the people in the country have been against it, but it has change in flavor to supporting same-sex marriage. So far nine states have made it legal, and hopefully more to come. Same-Sex marriage couples should have the same rights as traditional married couples because it is illegal. They deserve their rights, it is immoral, and it brings economic benefits to them.…
- 497 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Although the gay marriage topic has been pretty hot this year and during the Presidential debate, it has been around for a while, but people tended to ignore it. In contrast, today the topic has gained national attention. Not only has it been an interesting topic to look at in terms of same-sex weeding but also due to religious means. Some opponents object to same-sex marriage on religious grounds, arguing that extending marriage to homosexual couple's undercuts the conventional meaning of marriage in various traditions, and does not fulfill and procreation role. Writers have coined the term "marriage" to be restricted to a religious context and that state and federal government should not be involved in the religious practice. This could be viewed as a governmental intrusion into religion; that the word "marriage" should be replaced with "domestic partnership" and thus bypasses the controversy over the issue of gender. From this would evolve a contract between any two individuals who have attained their majority.…
- 670 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
"Marriage is a coming together for better or for worse, hopefully enduring, and intimate to the degree of being sacred. It is an association that promotes a way of life, not causes; a harmony in living, not political faiths; a bilateral loyalty, not commercial or social projects.” (U.S. Supreme Court). Marriage has been defined as a religious & legal commitment between a man and woman, as well as an expression of love. Homosexuals have not been allowed to partake in these commitments and the rising support for same sex marriage is becoming more of an issue for the government and voters. There are those that are against same sex marriage, who believe that marriage should be strictly between a man and a woman (Barber), and then there are those who believe that it is up to the individual on whom they want to marry (Quindlen). Despite the complexities surrounding the issue of gay marriage and the expansive argument on either side authors Anna Quindlen and La Shawn Barber present extremely simplistic yet opposing views on same sex marriage.…
- 1185 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
As of November 7, 2012, gay marriage has been legalized in nine U.S. states (Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Washington) including the District of Columbia. However, thirty-one states have constitutional amendments banning gay marriage and six states have laws banning gay marriage. There are many arguments surrounding this controversy that express extremely different opinions regarding supposed outcomes and benefits that would come along with legalizing gay marriage.…
- 571 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
* Marriage is between a man and a woman; bounded by a legal document and vow. Gays getting married will ultimately corrupt the marriage world and make it to where we can marry family members, etc.…
- 735 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
According to the oxford dictionary Definition of gay marriage : (in some jurisdictions) the legally recognized union between partners of the same sex.…
- 773 Words
- 4 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
As of November 20, 2014, same –sex marriage has been legalized in 35 out of 50 U.S. states. Same-sex marriage is a hot topic which the Supreme Court is considering to legalize. Many people say a homosexual person is a sinner. The question is do homosexual people choose his or her gender? They were born that way and they are happy with their lives. Homosexual people are nothing unlike heterosexual people. They are living, they are working, and they contribute to society. Proponents state that same-sex couples should have access to the same marriage benefits and public acknowledgment enjoyed by heterosexual couples and that prohibiting gay marriage is unconstitutional discrimination. On the other side, opponents argue that altering the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman will further weaken a threatened institution and that legalizing gay marriage is a slippery downhill way that may lead to polygamous and interspecies marriages (gaymarriage.procon.org). All people in the world should understand the meaning of marriage, whether a same-sex marriage or a traditional marriage. For that reason, same-sex marriage should be considered as a legal marriage because it is an equal right for humankind and beneficial for society as well as preventing youth suicide.…
- 1599 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
Gay marriage has been a critical topic in many countries since 1924. Around the year 2000, countries such as America and the UK started approving gay marriages, although not everyone agreed with this decision. Still in 2013, homosexuals are fighting for their right to get married to someone of their same sex. People against gay marriage feel that if it was to be legalized, the importance of marriage would fade away and some people would refer to marriage in a different way. According to an article from the Human Rights Campaign, there is nothing wrong with allowing homosexuals to have the same rights as those who are heterosexual. Every individual person should have equal rights, regardless of sexuality. Gay marriage should be legalized in all states and countries, as it has been held off for too long.…
- 333 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
What is gay marriage? Gay marriage also known as same sex marriage is an ungodly civil union between the same gender. It may also be described as a union caused by strong emotional and physical attraction of the same sex driven by worldly desires. To make gay marriage permissible by law is an affront to God and it should not be condoned in order to protect the family and the true nature of humankind.…
- 831 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
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.…
- 2619 Words
- 11 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Same-sex marriage will be legalized is most countries some day. The inevitable are being postponed by the generations who precede us and govern our lands. A lot of young people do not even realize the enormity of it all. We heard a lot of people say that they accept homosexuality, but that they don’t think that the whole “marriage” thing is important.. Well, it obviously is. Because when marriage happens, the things on a personal level are not just the ones affected. One’s finance, future, status, insurance, contract, and so many more will also be affected. If the government does not recognize your same-sex partner as your husband/wife, a lot of complicated situations, in terms of paperwork and justice, will arise. And that’s why we think it needs to be legalized.…
- 742 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays