Imagine you’ve met the love of your life, but he’s slowly dying from a terminal illness. He doesn’t have medical insurance and can’t afford the operation that will help him recover. If he dies, all his belongings would go to his brother and sister. You can’t even visit him in the hospital because you aren’t married. But the thing is, you can’t get married because both of you are of the same sex, and the state you live in does not allow same-sex marriage. This is one of the many hardships that same-sex couples face every single day. This is why I believe that same-sex marriage should be legalized in all 50 United States. The first reason same-sex marriage should be allowed is because if same-sex couples aren’t allowed to get married, it would go against the 14th amendment. “Freedom of personal choice in matters of marriage and family life is one of the liberties protected by the due process clause.” Banning gay marriage also goes against the equal protection clause, which says that “states must apply the law equally and cannot discriminate against people or groups of people arbitrarily” (Americapedia. Par 1). Proposition 8 in California, which was passed in 2008, stated that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."(Proposition. Par 1). But Judge Vaughn Walker wrote that Prop 8 was “unconstitutional under both the due process and equal protection clauses”(Freedom. Par 3). Secondly, If same-sex couples are allowed to get married, they will receive the basic rights of all married couples. They will get to visit each other if one of them has an illness. They would get tax and inheritance rights. They would get access to family health coverage. And lastly, they would get protection if the ever broke up (Perrin. Pg 4). These are all things every married couple gets. Why should it be any different for same-sex couples? Third, gay marriages can actually benefit the state and local governments. Money from gay marriages come from the marriage licenses, decreased costs for state benefit programs, and from higher income taxes. In New York, the Comptroller discovered if he legalized gay marriage, the economic impact would add about $184 million, on a net basis, in spending to the State’s economy during the three years following legislative approval. On the other hand, some people say that same-sex marriage would result in more divorces. But on the contrary, legalizing same-sex marriage would actually lower the divorce rate. Take, for example, Massachusetts. It was the first state to legalize gay marriage, and it had the lowest divorce rate in the country in 2008. Massachusetts legalized gay marriage in 2004, and its divorce rate dropped 21% from 2004-2008. Alaska prohibited gay marriage and its divorce rate increased 17% from 2004-2008. In conclusion, gay marriage should be legalized because it is protected under the 14th amendment, it gives them the same rights as heterosexual couples, and it would actually raise the economy of the state that legalizes it. As you can see from all these points, gay marriage should be allowed without question.
Bibliography:
Perrin, Ellen C. "The Effects of Marriage, Civil Union, and Domestic Partnership Laws on the Health and Well-being of Children." The Effects of Marriage, Civil Union, and Domestic Partnership Laws on the Health and Well-being of Children. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 June 2013.
“Freedom to Marry.” 10 Reasons Why Same-sex Couples Should Have the Freedom to Marry. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2013
Americapedia. “Bill of Rights Institute Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection 1868 Bill of Rights Institute Comments.” N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2013.
Proposition 8 Arguments - Voter Information Guide 2008." Proposition 8 Arguments - Voter Information Guide 2008.” N.p., n.d. Web. 8 June 2013.
Bibliography: Perrin, Ellen C. "The Effects of Marriage, Civil Union, and Domestic Partnership Laws on the Health and Well-being of Children." The Effects of Marriage, Civil Union, and Domestic Partnership Laws on the Health and Well-being of Children. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 June 2013. “Freedom to Marry.” 10 Reasons Why Same-sex Couples Should Have the Freedom to Marry. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2013 Americapedia. “Bill of Rights Institute Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection 1868 Bill of Rights Institute Comments.” N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2013. Proposition 8 Arguments - Voter Information Guide 2008." Proposition 8 Arguments - Voter Information Guide 2008.” N.p., n.d. Web. 8 June 2013.
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