* GAY MARRIAGE - MENU + GAY MARRIAGE - HOME o Did You Know? Readers' Comments Video Gallery Gay Marriage around the World Gay Marriage Timeline State-by-State History of Banning and Legalizing Gay Marriage, 1994-2015 Gay Marriage in the US Supreme Court, o Source Biographies Footnotes & Sources Gay Marriage in the US Supreme Court, 2013 Top "Gay-Friendly" and "Gay-Unfriendly" US Companies, 2011 2012 Presidential Candidates' Positions on Gay Marriage US Gay Marriage on Gay Marriage o Gay Marriage o Born Gay? Origins of Sexual Orientation Born Gay? Origins of Sexual Orientation Gay Marriage Gay Marriage - Should Gay Marriage Be Legal? Born Gay? - Is Sexual Orientation Determined at Birth? GAY MARRIAGE [gay-marriage-wide.jpg] Should Gay Marriage Be Legal? On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage is a decision, same-sex marriage was already legal in 37 states and had shifted significantly over the years, from 27% approval of gay marriage in 1996 to 60% in 2015, the year it became legal throughout Proponents of legal gay marriage contend that gay marriage bans are Opponents contend that marriage has traditionally been defined as being between one man and one woman, and that marriage is primarily for Court Judge Sarah Zabel ruled Florida's gay marriage ban [Legalizing gay marriage] is the right thing to do and it is time." overturning same-sex marriage bans in Wisconsin and Indiana in Sep. sexual orientation, gay marriage bans discriminate based on one's sex. government does not grant equivalent benefits to gay couples in civil by the New York Times estimated that same-sex couples denied marriage The concept of "traditional marriage" has changed over time, and the definition of marriage as always being between one man and one woman is marriage was once illegal in a majority of US states, and was still between same-sex couples, indistinguishable from marriages except for Gay marriage is protected by the US Constitution's commitments to choice in matters of marriage and family life is one of the liberties wrote on Aug. 4, 2010 that Prop. 8 in California banning gay marriage Marriage is an internationally recognized human right for all people. Since 1888 the US Supreme Court has declared 14 times that marriage is a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution." [103] Amnesty International states Same-sex marriage is a civil right. The NAACP (National Association for marriage as "one of the key civil rights struggles of our time." [61] Virginia that marriage is "one of the basic civil rights of man." [60] The White House website lists same-sex marriage amongst a selection of Marriage is not only for procreation, otherwise infertile couples or for marriage. From 1970 through 2012 roughly 30% of all US households marriage license would be granted to a couple in which the man and children coming out of that marriage." [88] Gay marriages can bring financial gain to federal, state, and local marriage comes from marriage licenses, higher income taxes in some circumstances (the so-called "marriage penalty"), and decreases in Michael Bloomberg announced that gay marriage had contributed $259 after Massachusetts legalized gay marriage in 2004, same-sex wedding the Williams Institute estimated that legalizing same-sex marriage estimated in 2004 that federally-recognized gay marriage would cut the Gay couples make good parents. A June 2014 peer-reviewed University of study found that children of gay fathers were "as well-adjusted as columnist Ezra Klein wrote, "We should be begging gay couples to adopt children. We should see this as a great boon that gay marriage could Gay marriage bans cause humiliation and uncertainty for children being raised by same-sex couples. In ruling Texas' gay marriage ban Marriage provides both physical and psychological health benefits, and banning gay marriage increases rates of psychological disorders. [5] that already facilitates and strengthens heterosexual marriages, with distressed than lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons not in a legally banned gay marriage, gay, lesbian and bisexual people suffered a 37% Legalizing gay marriage will not harm the institution of marriage, and same-sex marriages may even be more stable than heterosexual marriages. that "[l]aws permitting same-sex marriage or civil unions have no adverse effect on marriage, divorce, and abortion rates, [or] the recognized same-sex couples (in marriages or civil unions, etc.) end civilization or viable social orders depend upon marriage as an Gay marriage legalization is correlated with lower divorce rates, while gay marriage bans are correlated with higher divorce rates. Massachusetts, which became the first US state to legalize gay marriage its constitution to prohibit gay marriage in 1998, saw a 17.2% increase prohibitions to gay marriage. [2] Legal marriage is a secular institution that should not be limited by religious objections to same-sex marriage. Religious institutions can decline to marry gay and lesbian couples if they wish, but they should not dictate marriage laws for society at large. As explained by People for the American Way, "As a legal matter, marriage is a civil institution... Marriage is also a religious institution, defined both religious and civil marriage in a single ceremony. Religious Right same-sex couples equal access to civil marriage would somehow also redefine the religious institution of marriage... this is grounded in and regulating marriage." [41] Many religious leaders and churches support gay marriage and say it is consistent with scripture. Gene Robinson, openly gay former Bishop of marriage at all, nor does it make reference to sexual orientation as it the American Jewish population, endorses same-sex marriage, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis has supported gay marriage since that prohibits same-sex civil marriage or civil unions." The in July 2005 to affirm "equal marriage rights for couples regardless of marriage between members of the same sex." [119] [141][142] [143] The institution of marriage has traditionally been defined as being between a man and a woman. In upholding gay marriage bans in Kentucky, Appeals Judge Jeffrey S. Sutton wrote that "marriage has long been a Minnesota found that "the institution of marriage as a union of man and "Throughout the history of the human race the institution of marriage Marriage is for procreation and should not be extended to same-sex couples because they cannot produce children together. Allowing gay marriage would only further shift the purpose of marriage from defending Arizona's gay marriage ban stated that "the State regulates marriage for the primary purpose of channeling potentially procreative biological father." Contrary to the pro gay marriage argument that some Doug Mainwaring, the openly gay co-founder of National Capital Tea Legalizing gay marriage could lead down a "slippery slope," giving de-institutionalizing marriage." [11] In Apr. 2013 Slate writer Jillian Keenan wrote: "Just like heterosexual marriage is no better or worse than homosexual marriage, marriage between two consenting adults is not inherently more or less 'correct' than marriage among three (or four, marriage will enable "group marriage," "marriage between daddies and little girls," and "marriage between a man and his donkey." [136] Allowing gay couples to wed could further weaken the institution of marriage. Traditional marriage is already threatened with high divorce presidential candidate Rick Santorum stated that "Legalization of gay marriage would further undermine an institution that is essential to Society at The Heritage Foundation, said "In recent decades, marriage desires than children’s needs... Redefining marriage to include would leave emotional intensity as the only thing that sets marriage Homosexuality is immoral and unnatural. J. Matt Barber, Associate Dean "Every individual engaged in the homosexual lifestyle, who has adopted a homosexual identity, they know, intuitively, that what they're doing stated: "There are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual plan for marriage and family... Marriage is holy, while homosexual acts that gay marriage is "inconsistent with nature and nature’s law." [148] Gay marriage is contrary to the word of God and is incompatible with with womankind: it is abomination," thus condemning homosexual attributed to the Prophet Muhammad) condemn gay and lesbian American Baptist Churches USA all oppose same-sex marriage. [119] Two Orthodox Union, also oppose gay marriage, as does mainstream Islam. marriage "was established by the Creator with its own nature, essential certainty that marriage exists solely between a man and a woman…" [54] Pope Benedict stated in Jan. 2012 that gay marriage threatened "the Legalizing gay marriage often leads to an end to domestic partnership benefits for gay and straight couples, which disadvantages couples who new domestic partnerships after same-sex marriage became legal in the converted domestic partnerships to marriages when they legalized gay marriage in 2012, providing no option to retain domestic partnerships Supreme Court declared part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Gay marriage will accelerate the assimilation of gays into mainstream heterosexual culture to the detriment of the homosexual community. The gay community has created its own vibrant culture. By reducing the differences in opportunities and experiences between gay and Amherst, stated that for many gay activists "marriage means adopting heterosexual forms of family and giving up distinctively gay family forms and perhaps even gay and lesbian culture." [14] Paula Ettelbrick, JD, Professor of Law and Women's Studies, wrote in 1989, "Marriage runs contrary to two of the primary goals of the lesbian and gay movement: the affirmation of gay identity and culture and the validation of many Marriage is an outmoded, oppressive institution that should be weakened, not expanded. LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) activist collective Against Equality states that "Gay marriage apes health care and economic rights." [84] The leaders of the Gay institution of marriage as one of the most insidious and basic 2013 that the campaign for gay marriage "intentionally and maliciously people in non-traditional families... marriage thinks non-married Studies at the Family Research Council, said that if gay marriage were subsidize homosexual relationships... One of the key arguments often heard in support of homosexual civil marriage revolves around all the government 'benefits' that homosexuals claim they are denied. Many of these 'benefits' involve one thing–taxpayer money that homosexuals are eager to get their hands on." [146] Gay marriage would entitle gay couples to typical marriage benefits including claiming a tax exemption Marriage is a privilege, not a right. The US Constitution contains no traditional definition of marriage, and stated that the Convention for traditional concept of marriage as being between a man and a woman." Legalizing gay marriage advances the "homosexual agenda" and unfairly if gay marriage is legalized, "Children will be taught that homosexuality is morally equivalent to heterosexuality... that children marriage' was equivalent to opposition to the legalization of interracial marriage. They will be taught that opposition to both was the "homosexual agenda," writing that "[o]ur little children are being targeted by the homosexuals and liberals... To be brainwashed to think that homosexuality is the moral equivalent of heterosexuality. We can't benefits gay couples need without changing the definition of marriage. as an equivalent to marriage for same-sex couples: "Benefits are being bestowed to gay couples [in civil unions]... I believe we need to respect those who believe that the word marriage has a spiritual do so... I strongly believe that marriage ought to be defined as ruled Florida's gay marriage ban unconstitutional and stated that the disabilities, immigrants... [Legalizing gay marriage] is the right Judge Richard Posner, in overturning same-sex marriage bans in well as discrimination based on sexual orientation, gay marriage bans benefits to gay couples in civil unions or domestic partnerships. [153] same-sex couples denied marriage benefits will incur an additional The concept of "traditional marriage" has changed over time, and the definition of marriage as always being between one man and one woman is The concept of "traditional marriage" has changed over time, and the definition of marriage as always being between one man and one woman is McDermott, PhD. [110] [106] Interracial marriage was once illegal in a indistinguishable from marriages except for gender, are believed by Gay marriage is protected by the US Constitution's commitments to Gay marriage is protected by the US Constitution's commitments to liberty and marriage and family life is one of the liberties protected by the Due that Prop. 8 in California banning gay marriage was "unconstitutional Marriage is an internationally recognized human right for all people. Since 1888 the US Supreme Court has declared 14 times that marriage is Marriage is an internationally recognized human right for all people. Since 1888 the US Supreme Court has declared 14 times that marriage is a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution." [103] Amnesty International states Same-sex marriage is a civil right. The NAACP (National Association for marriage... Read More Same-sex marriage is a civil right. on May 21, 2012, named same-sex marriage as "one of the key civil unanimously confirmed in Loving v. Virginia that marriage is "one of same-sex marriage amongst a selection of civil rights, along with Marriage is not only for procreation, otherwise infertile couples or Marriage is not only for procreation, otherwise infertile couples or couples for marriage. From 1970 through 2012 roughly 30% of all US households marriage license would be granted to a couple in which the man and children coming out of that marriage." [88] Gay marriages can bring financial gain to federal, state, and local marriage... Read More Gay marriages can bring financial gain to federal, state, and local Government revenue from marriage comes from marriage licenses, higher income taxes in some circumstances (the so-called "marriage penalty"), York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that gay marriage had first five years after Massachusetts legalized gay marriage in 2004, same-sex marriage would boost the economies of the 11 US states studied Budget Office estimated in 2004 that federally-recognized gay marriage Gay couples make good parents. A June 2014 peer-reviewed University of Gay couples make good parents. social problems. [45] A July 2010 study found that children of gay "We should be begging gay couples to adopt children. We should see this as a great boon that gay marriage could bring to kids who need nothing Gay marriage bans cause humiliation and uncertainty for children being raised by same-sex couples. In ruling Texas' gay marriage ban Gay marriage bans cause humiliation and uncertainty for children being raised In ruling Texas' gay marriage ban unconstitutional, San Antonio-based Marriage provides both physical and psychological health benefits, and banning gay marriage increases rates of psychological disorders. The… Marriage provides both physical and psychological health benefits, and banning gay marriage increases rates of psychological disorders. that already facilitates and strengthens heterosexual marriages, with distressed than lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons not in a legally banned gay marriage, gay, lesbian and bisexual people suffered a 37% Legalizing gay marriage will not harm the institution of marriage, and same-sex marriages may even be more stable than heterosexual marriages. Legalizing gay marriage will not harm the institution of marriage, and same-sex marriages may even be more stable than heterosexual marriages. that "[l]aws permitting same-sex marriage or civil unions have no adverse effect on marriage, divorce, and abortion rates, [or] the recognized same-sex couples (in marriages or civil unions, etc.) end civilization or viable social orders depend upon marriage as an Gay marriage legalization is correlated with lower divorce rates, while gay marriage bans are correlated with higher divorce rates. Gay marriage legalization is correlated with lower divorce rates, while gay marriage bans are correlated with higher divorce rates. Massachusetts, which became the first US state to legalize gay marriage its constitution to prohibit gay marriage in 1998, saw a 17.2% increase prohibitions to gay marriage. [2] Legal marriage is a secular institution that should not be limited by religious objections to same-sex marriage. Religious institutions can Legal marriage is a secular institution that should not be limited by religious objections to same-sex marriage. Religious institutions can decline to marry gay and lesbian couples if they wish, but they should not dictate marriage laws for society at marriage is a civil institution... Marriage is also a religious to carry out both religious and civil marriage in a single ceremony. granting same-sex couples equal access to civil marriage would somehow also redefine the religious institution of marriage... this is grounded and regulating marriage." [41] Many religious leaders and churches support gay marriage and say it is consistent with scripture. Gene Robinson, openly gay former Bishop of Many religious leaders and churches support gay marriage and say it is Gene Robinson, openly gay former Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New makes no mention of same-sex marriage at all, nor does it make endorses same-sex marriage, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis has supported gay marriage since 1996. [130] The Episcopal marriage or civil unions." The Presbyterian Church (USA) voted in June of Christ General Synod voted in July 2005 to affirm "equal marriage of legal recognition for marriage between members of the same sex." The institution of marriage has traditionally been defined as being between a man and a woman. In upholding gay marriage bans in Kentucky, The institution of marriage has traditionally been defined as being between a In upholding gay marriage bans in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Jeffrey S. Sutton wrote that "marriage has long been a social Minnesota found that "the institution of marriage as a union of man and "Throughout the history of the human race the institution of marriage Marriage is for procreation and should not be extended to same-sex couples because they cannot produce children together. Allowing gay marriage would... Read More Marriage is for procreation and should not be extended to same-sex couples Allowing gay marriage would only further shift the purpose of marriage defending Arizona's gay marriage ban stated that "the State regulates marriage for the primary purpose of channeling potentially procreative biological father." Contrary to the pro gay marriage argument that some famil[ies]." [133] Doug Mainwaring, the openly gay co-founder of Legalizing gay marriage could lead down a "slippery slope," giving Legalizing gay marriage could lead down a "slippery slope," giving people in couples as a springboard for further de-institutionalizing marriage." heterosexual marriage is no better or worse than homosexual marriage, marriage between two consenting adults is not inherently more or less 'correct' than marriage among three (or four, or six) consenting Family, predicted in 2005 that legalizing same-sex marriage will enable "group marriage," "marriage between daddies and little girls," and "marriage between a man and his donkey." [136] Allowing gay couples to wed could further weaken the institution of marriage. Traditional marriage is already threatened with high divorce Allowing gay couples to wed could further weaken the institution of marriage. Traditional marriage is already threatened with high divorce rates presidential candidate Rick Santorum stated that "Legalization of gay marriage would further undermine an institution that is essential to Society at The Heritage Foundation, said "In recent decades, marriage desires than children’s needs... Redefining marriage to include would leave emotional intensity as the only thing that sets marriage Homosexuality is immoral and unnatural. J. Matt Barber, Associate Dean Homosexuality is immoral and unnatural. homosexual lifestyle, who has adopted a homosexual identity, they know, grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God's plan for marriage and family... Marriage is holy, while homosexual acts go against the natural moral candidate Mike Huckabee stated in Oct. 2014 that gay marriage is Gay marriage is contrary to the word of God and is incompatible with Gay marriage is contrary to the word of God and is incompatible with the homosexual relationships. [120] In Islamic tradition, several hadiths (passages attributed to the Prophet Muhammad) condemn gay and lesbian American Baptist Churches USA all oppose same-sex marriage. [119] Two Orthodox Union, also oppose gay marriage, as does mainstream Islam. marriage "was established by the Creator with its own nature, essential certainty that marriage exists solely between a man and a woman…" [54] Pope Benedict stated in Jan. 2012 that gay marriage threatened "the Legalizing gay marriage often leads to an end to domestic partnership benefits for gay and straight couples, which disadvantages couples who Legalizing gay marriage often leads to an end to domestic partnership benefits for gay and straight couples, which disadvantages couples who choose after same-sex marriage became legal in the state in 2013. [124] [135] to marriages when they legalized gay marriage in 2012, providing no declared part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional in Gay marriage will accelerate the assimilation of gays into mainstream heterosexual culture to the detriment of the homosexual community. The gay... Read More Gay marriage will accelerate the assimilation of gays into mainstream heterosexual culture to the detriment of the homosexual community. The gay community has created its own vibrant culture. By reducing the differences in opportunities and experiences between gay and Amherst, stated that for many gay activists "marriage means adopting heterosexual forms of family and giving up distinctively gay family forms and perhaps even gay and lesbian culture." [14] Paula Ettelbrick, JD, Professor of Law and Women's Studies, wrote in 1989, "Marriage runs contrary to two of the primary goals of the lesbian and gay movement: the affirmation of gay identity and culture and the validation of many Marriage is an outmoded, oppressive institution that should be weakened, not expanded. LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) Marriage is an outmoded, oppressive institution that should be weakened, not LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) activist collective Against Equality states that "Gay marriage apes hetero privilege... economic rights." [84] The leaders of the Gay Liberation Front in New York said in July 1969, "We expose the institution of marriage as one Zanichkowsky stated in June 2013 that the campaign for gay marriage queer people, and queer people in non-traditional families... marriage Research Council, said that if gay marriage were legalized, homosexual relationships... One of the key arguments often heard in support of homosexual civil marriage revolves around all the government 'benefits' that homosexuals claim they are denied. Many of these 'benefits' involve one thing–taxpayer money that homosexuals are eager to get their hands on." [146] Gay marriage would entitle gay couples to typical marriage benefits including claiming a tax exemption for a Marriage is a privilege, not a right. The US Constitution contains no Marriage is a privilege, not a right. marriage, and stated that the Convention for the Protection of Human marriage as being between a man and a woman." [101] [102] Society can Legalizing gay marriage advances the "homosexual agenda" and unfairly if gay… Read More Legalizing gay marriage advances the "homosexual agenda" and unfairly paints The Illinois Family Institute states that if gay marriage is legalized, "Children will be taught that homosexuality is morally equivalent to the legalization of 'same-sex marriage' was equivalent to opposition to the legalization of interracial marriage. They will be taught that influence on children of the "homosexual agenda," writing that "[o]ur little children are being targeted by the homosexuals and liberals... To be brainwashed to think that homosexuality is the moral equivalent benefits gay couples need without changing the definition of marriage… benefits gay couples need without changing the definition of marriage. as an equivalent to marriage for same-sex couples: "Benefits are being bestowed to gay couples [in civil unions]... I believe we need to respect those who believe that the word marriage has a spiritual do so... I strongly believe that marriage ought to be defined as 1. On May 17, 2004, the first legal gay marriage in the United States 2. The world's first legal gay marriage ceremony took place in the same-sex couples denied marriage benefits will incur an additional oppose same-sex marriage. [119] 1. Gay Marriage in the US Supreme Court, 2015 2. Are people born gay? Pros and cons in debate over origin of sexual 3. History of the Same-Sex Marriage Debate, 1970 - present Gay Marriage Homepage Gay Marriage around the World Gay Marriage Timeline State-by-State History of Banning and Legalizing Gay Marriage, Gay Marriage in the US Supreme Court, 2015 Gay Marriage in the US Supreme Court, 2013 Top "Gay-Friendly" and "Gay-Unfriendly" US Companies, 2011 2012 Presidential Candidates' Positions on Gay Marriage US Gay Marriage Polls, 1988-2010 2016 Presidential Candidates' Positions on Gay Marriage