FREE Gay Marriage: America's Decision Essay (original) (raw)
America is a country that is constantly undergoing drastic changes and is moving forward into the 21st century at a hypnotic pace. New technology is constantly being developed. Today one can access their email through a cell phone and purchase a hybrid vehicle. Although America has been undergoing many changes throughout the decades, the morals and ethics of many people are still the same as they always have been. The thought of two people of the same sex being together as a couple causes many Americans to become uncomfortable. On the other hand, there are also some people who are open-minded to the idea and view the situation with the saying "live and let live." As hard as it seems to be for people to adapt to gay and lesbian partnership, it is even harder for those who already disagree to support gay marriage.
Marriage, by its most used definition, is the social institution under which a man and woman live as husband and wife by legal or religious commitments. What happens when a woman and another woman fall in love and want to spend the rest of their lives together? It is possible for the lesbian couple to live together forever, but in most states they cannot be recognized as a married couple. Why is it so important to be married, to have that "piece of paper"? .
To many people, being married to someone is more that just having it down in writing that you are with that person. Legal documents come in handy in several instances. One such instance is when a person becomes ill and their spouse is needed to make a medical decision. Also, it is more expensive to have legal documents, such as a Power of Attorney. If a gay couple is raising children together, issues arise when one of the parents die. If the couple is not married, whom does the child go to? Another instance is when buying a house a couple that is not married would be wise to have a Joint Tenancy in Common issued.
Essays Related to Gay Marriage: America's Decision
1. Why All of America Should Support Gay Marriage
A debate is taking place across the country: Should the government allow gay marriage in ALL 50 states? ... Marriage as it looked fifty years or so ago looked very different to what marriage in America is shaping up to be now. If America says "no" to gay marriage, then the "land of the free" that supposedly upholds the right of its citizens to follow the pursuit of happiness, in actuality, discriminates against people, denying them freedoms and the full pursuit of happiness. ... America must make the right decisions so all people can legally be protected and happy. ... Banning gay marri...
- Word Count: 571
- Approx Pages: 2
- Grade Level: High School
2. The Politics of Gay Marriage
The important question here is will gay marriage be accepted as a social norm? ... The idea being communicated was not culture shock but a deeper underlying interpretation and understanding of gay culture in America. ... My main question after reading an article over the recent Episcopal Church decision about the newly appointed Rev. ... In the latest gay marriage struggle with the government in America, there has been surprising opposition by the national leader, who was quoted at a press conference expressing his views, "I believe a marriage is between a man and a woman, and I think we ou...
- Word Count: 892
- Approx Pages: 4
- Has Bibliography
- Grade Level: Undergraduate
3. Opposition to Gay Marriage In America
Thus, if one state allows a gay marriage and that couple moves to another state, the other state must recognize that marriage. ... It affects critical medical decisions. ... In an article entitled, "A Case For Gay Marriage,"" by Brent Hartinger, he explains, "gay marriage would celebrate the loving committed relationship between two individuals, a relationship where sexual behavior is one small part-(683). ... To me, I find the arguments against gay marriage more substantial. ... The article "What is Wrong with Gay Marriage,"" written by Stanley Kurtz is obviously about why gay marriages are w...
- Word Count: 1973
- Approx Pages: 8
- Grade Level: High School
4. The Gay Marriage War
The DOMA bill was accepted in response to the growing issue of gay marriage. There would be no federal recognition of gay marriage, and each state would have the right to refuse the union of gay and lesbian couples who have marriage licenses issued by another state. ... Issue of gay marriage is a civil issue. ... If the gay marriage issue becomes a federal issue, then it can hurt both ways. ... Perhaps the most significant step so far in his efforts to expand the rights of gay Americans, President Obama mandated in April, 2010 that nearly all hospitals extend visitation rights to the partners ...
- Word Count: 1403
- Approx Pages: 6
- Has Bibliography
5. Federal Mandates on Gay Marriage
All Americans have the freedom to live and love as they choose, but no one has a right to redefine marriage for everyone else. ... Straight marriage would be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed. ... Having gays all around allowed to marry will influence kids and their decisions on their partners. ... This amendment gives states the power to control marriage and decisions. The Defense of Marriage Act also affirms the power of each state to make its own decision as to whether it will accept or reject same-sex marriages created in other jurisdictions. ...
- Word Count: 1757
- Approx Pages: 7
- Grade Level: Undergraduate
6. Why Are We Still Worried About Gay Marriage?
I thought we lived in America, where we were free from religious slavery. ... She made this decision after the country wide legalization of gay marriage. She says, "It wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment decision, it was thought out, and I sought God on it. ... I often hear gay marriage critics say that straight marriage will be less meaningful if we allow gays to marry. ... In America, we do not base our laws upon religious reasoning. ...
- Word Count: 804
- Approx Pages: 3
- Has Bibliography
- Grade Level: High School
7. The Controversy and Legalization of Gay Marriage
Only nineteen states allow Gay marriage and just a few allow a civil union, or a marriage without the word marriage. ... Gay Marriage Legalized). ... "Marriage establishes legal status, allows joint filing of taxes, and protects the companion in medical decision making" (Messerli, J. (2011). Gay Marriage Legalized). ... Gay Marriage in the Workplace How does gay marriage affect the workplace? ...
- Word Count: 912
- Approx Pages: 4
- Has Bibliography
- Grade Level: High School
8. Love, Marriage and Gay Rights
" The scope of any Supreme Court decision is far from clear. They could rule that every American is entitled to the right to same-sex marriage or they could allow states to keep bans on gay marriage or they could do something in between. In the meantime, gay-marriage advocates are pressing the issue at the state level. ... Chris Christie vetoed it, and where a lawsuit that would force recognition of gay marriage is still pending. ... I've thought a great deal about this issue, and like millions of Americans in recent years, I've changed my mind on the question of marriage for sa...
- Word Count: 1098
- Approx Pages: 4
- Grade Level: High School
9. Legalizing Gay Marriage
The legalization of gay marriage is crucial to the progression of the US as a whole, and as long as it remains illegal it will be something that negatively affects the lives of millions of Americans every single day. ... Surely these animals are not making a conscious decision to be homosexual. ... In the US, only five of our fifty states allow gay marriage. ... But even this reasonable idea brings about arguments from the opponents of gay marriage. ... Same-sex marriage laws are unjust and unfair, and so I chose to write about why gay marriage should be legal. ...
- Word Count: 1891
- Approx Pages: 8
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