The Issue

Determining whether or not lesbians and gays should be allowed to marry

Determining whether gay marriage hurts the institution of heterosexual marriage

Determining whether gay marriage hurts or harms children


Background

With the recent Supreme Court ruling overturning sodomy laws, Canada’s, San Francisco's and Multnomah County Oregon's moves to allow same sex marriages and the Massachusetts decision, many Americans are wondering, what's the big deal about gay and lesbian marriage?

Marriage laws in the United States are determined State by State. Although several counties, like Multnomah County Oregon and San Francisco have allowed gays and lesbians to marry, those states overturned the decisions and gays and lesbians cannot marry in those places.

Thus far only one state, Massachusetts allows same-sex marriage. The courts have ruled that it is illegal NOT to allow two people of the same sex to marry. Most states have passed laws that explicitly exclude same-sex couples from marrying and there is a proposed Constitutional Amendment to try and make the definition of marriage between a man and a woman.

A handful of states offer Civil Unions to same-sex couples. Civil unions offer many of the rights and responsibilities as marriage, but are not recognized outside of those states.

California passed a domestic partnership law, similar to Vermont's civil union. Again, these partnerships are only recognized in California.

Case For Gay Marriage

Gay rights groups, such as Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) argue that states cannot justify excluding gay and lesbian couples from the institution of marriage and the protection it provides. They argue that only marriage provides a legal safety net protecting couples emotional bonds and economic security.

Children

Many opponents of same-sex marriage say that marriage is for the purpose of raising children and that two parents of the same sex are not adequately equipped to raise children. First of all, there is no basis in fact for this opinion. Children do well in homes where they are nutured and loved, regardless of the parents' genders.

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What is the point of all that? Is there something to be learnt or you just feel like typing something to advertise your blog?

If you finish reading the entire article you will understand better moreover I highlighted from the beginning the areas of concentration covered in the article.