National History Day 2010

Debate and Diplomacy:Successes, Failures, and

Consequences

Same Sex Marriage Debate

Legalization of same sex marriage would highly benefit the United States specifically, by allowing a more equal society.

Civil Union between two men, officiated by Stamford, Connecticut's mayor, Dan Malloy.

Definition of Marriage (Biblical)- That’s why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. The two of them will become one.

Different Definition of Marriage- Ceremony that makes the choice of living as a married couple formal.

On the last slide, the two definitions were very different. The first specified on gender, a man and woman. The second didn’t specify gender, sexual orientation, or race.

The second definition is becoming more and more accepted, rather than the first. Younger generations have begun getting used to the idea of same sex marriage. While the older ones are still shoeing it away.

The fight for equality goes back many decades. It used to be over racial marriages, where a white man couldn’t marry a colored woman, and vice versa. Now its where two men or women can’t marry.

In 1970, Roger Mills ran into some problems while applying for a marriage license. He was planning to marry a black woman. A local racist group petitioned and convinced a judge to sign a court order to make the county clerk deny the license. After two weeks of battling with the courts, the order was lifted. Roger Mills and Berta Linson were the first legally married interracial couple.

Roger Mills’ daughter, Demetria, is facing the same type of problem today. She wants to marry another woman, and as a resident in Georgia, it’s not legal. The developments in California may actually decide whether Demetria and her partner are married. Proposition 8, if completely abolished in California, could help legalization on a national level.

Proposition 8-An amendment to California’s constitution, passed in 2008, restricting same sex couples from marrying. Many debate about its validity today.

Seeing that society hasn’t changed much, and history repeats itself, isn’t it safe to say that same sex marriage will be legalized? Interracial marriage was, so who’s to say gay marriage won’t be? If there’s no pain, no gain; But hasn’t there been enough pain? Years worth of inequality between diverse beings is way past measurable.

The legalization of same sex marriage would have several benefits. Such as:

-Insurance-Increasing adoption rate-Financial benefits-Medical Decision Priority

Insurance-Marriage or Family benefits apply to house, car, and health insurance rates.

Increasing Adoption Rate-Since it is impossible for procreation with two members of the same sex, the adoption rate would go up if a couple was desiring children.

Financial Benefits-Taxes are higher while single than with a spouse, when filing jointly. Deductions can be made from taxes for house payments, or children as well.

Medical Decision Priority-When one member of the relationship is ill, the spouse is often turned to for making big medical decisions. To give them a certain surgery, etc.

Today’s Statistics-49% -against gay marriage41% -for gay marriage10% -unsure, or it depends

-Statisticians suspect that by 2012, gay marriage will be supported by a majority of Americans.

-Over the past 20 years, support has increased 1%.

Statistics--24 countries are currently allowing gay and lesbians to serve in the military.-Same sex marriage is allowed in 7 countries around the world.-In 30 states, lesbian or gays can be fired solely based on their sexual orientation, with no legal consequence.-90% of Americans think gay workers should have the same rights as their heterosexual coworkers.

Bullying-In 2007, 86% of lesbians and gays admitted to being bullied within the past year.9/10 youth reported being verbally abused at school because of their sexual orientation.22% reported being physically assaulted.31% said the school or administration did nothing in response.

-All above from GLSEN

Why should homosexuals be judged based on their sexual preference? There is no legitimate reason. Why, if they’re homosexual, what one being wants to do personally, suddenly becomes other peoples’ business? If homosexuals are judged because they are homosexual, then heterosexuals should be judged because they are heterosexual.

The debate about same sex marriage is one of many important ones at this point in time. The supporting side for same sex marriage being legalized is failing. This may change in the near future, which would help society as a whole. Preventing same sex marriage is unfair to a namely portion of Americans.

Relativity to teens-Gay and lesbians teens, who aren’t yet ready for marriage, are still denied rights. Kids are constantly bullied, based on just their sexual orientation. Many teens are afraid to go to school each day, worried something might happen to them while they’re there. They are denied the right to go to school without feeling scared or intimidated. It’s a shame that right is taken away at such a young age.

Organizations that support same sex couples--Gay Straight Alliance Network International

(GSANI)-National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)-Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and

Gays (PFLAG)-Rainbow Health Initiative (RHI)-Gay & Lesbian Alliance of Defamation (GLAAD)No matter where you may live, there is surely

an organization to help near you.

Freedom to Marry--Organization to fight for same sex marriage-Started in 2003-Started by Evan Wolfson-Used to educate those ignorant of importance of same sex couples

Same sex marriage should be legal, to promote an even more equal society today. Proposition 8 should be eliminated in California, which would boost other states to legalize as well.