3-19-12

Same-Sex Marriage 

Since I can remember, I have dreamed of being swept off my feet by the perfect mate, and one day getting married. This dream is quite common among individuals, but the ability to achieve it is limited. According to Law Info, “Marriage is defined as a civil contract between two people who meet the legal requirements for getting married established by the state, which vary from state to state (Law Info 1).” Marriage also includes many benefits, such as joint parenting, the status as “next-of-kin,” joint insurance policies, and many more (Religious Tolerance). With this said, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Iowa, Connecticut, Washington D.C., and Washington, are the only 8 states in the U.S. that allow same-sex marriage (Gay Marriage). Furthermore, the federal Defense of Marriage Act remains in effect, which-

“-denies married, civil unionized and domestic partnershipped same-sex couples approximately 1,100 federal benefits currently reserved as special privileges to opposite-sex married couples. Even though their marriage may be recognized within a couple's state, the federal government considers them to be simply roommates; their children are regarded as illegitimate (Religious Tolerance).”

The federal Defense of Marriage Act was signed by president Bill Clinton, and was passed by Congress in 1996, when there were no same-sex couples in the United States that were legally married (Watermark). Since then, however, there have been thousands of same-sex couples that have married where it remains legal (Watermark).

Most individuals would agree that one cannot help who they fall in love with. Additionally, many would agree that unfairly limiting the rights of citizens based on the individual they decided to spend the rest of their life with is unscrupulous! The LGBTQ community has made advancements since the DOMA was passed, but I fear it will be a long while before enough politicians can learn to except who people are, and how they want to live their lives.

~Cherokee Gonzalez

Works Cited

"DOMA under fire, still in effect."Watermark Online. Your LGBT Life. Daily.. N.p., 15 Apr. 2011. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. <http://www.watermarkonline.com/w-news/national/item/5938-doma-under-fire-still-in-effect>

Robinson, B.A.. "Legal and economic benefits of marriage." Religious Tolerance. N.p., 4 July 2011. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. <http://www.religioustolerance.org/mar_bene.htm>

"States That Allow Gay Marriage."States That Allow Gay Marriage. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. <http://statesthatallowgaymarriage.com/>.

"What Is The Legal Definition Of Marriage? | Marriage Legal Resources." Free Legal Forms | Free Legal Documents | Legal Resources. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. <http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/marriage/Federal/what-is-the-legal-definition-of-marriage-.html>.