Gay Marriage: the Recognition of Equal Human Rights

Gay Marriage: The Recognition of Equal Human Rights

In America, people hold on to the Declaration of Independence as an implementation of their rights. Part of the Declaration of Independence clearly states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Jefferson 80). Gays are human beings too, and they should equally be able to enjoy the human rights. If we believe that human rights are equal regardless of their sexual orientation; then why do gays have to struggle for equal positions in the church, law, and psychological equality? Gay people, their families, and their friends are fighting for these rights. They want equality for gays including legal marriage, and marriage benefits that the regular man-woman marriages enjoy.

Gay marriage becomes an option because many gay couples want the equality of human rights. Gays realize their rights are being abolished by the fact that they are not allowed to legally marry and enjoy the privileges as married couples. Only twelve states in America and District of Columbia legally allow gay marriage. The twelve states are: Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington (Millstone). Massachusetts is the first state that legalized gay marriage on May 2004 (Tying the Knot). Although gays can legally marry in these states, the couples have limited rights. DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) restricts federal marriage benefits; therefore, it prevents gays from receiving the insurance benefits for government employees, Social Security benefits, immigration, and the filing of joint tax returns (Burns). The documentary, Tying the Knot shows that many gay couples stay together for a long period of time, whether they are married or not. They share their lives: mentally, physically, and

Bibliography: Ben Newman [pseudonym]. "Homosexuality Can Be 'Cured '." Homosexuality. Ed. Cynthia A. Bily. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Rpt. from "Ben Newman [pseudonym],Change of Heart: My Two Years in Reparative Therapy." NARTH. 2004. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 18 Jun. 2013. This book will help me explain the anticipate causes and counter-argue for the cure. Specifically, this book will explain that there is a treatment to cure gay people, and show that being gay is an option. Boston, Rob. “Church, State And Marriage Equality.” Church & State 66.4: 7. Master File Premier, 2013. Web. 12 Jun. 2013. This magazine article will help me explain the anticipate causes and counter-argue for gay marriage objections. Specifically, this article will explain how if a church approves a same-sex marriage might affect the government; and also explain the fear of this equality might cause people manipulate the government’s benefits. Burns, Kate. Gay Marriage. MI: Thomson Gale, 2005. Print. This book will help me present the subject. Specifically, this book lists the fights that already happened, the situations, the positions with government and laws, the positions between church and state, and also how it will affect children and society. Clinton, Hillary Rodham. "The United States Is a Leader in the Promotion of LGBT Human Rights." Human Rights. Ed. David M. Haugen and Susan Musser. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. Rpt. from "Remarks in Recognition of International Human Rights Day, Geneva Switzerland." www.state.gov. 2011. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 11 Jun. 2013. This book will help me provide a logical sequence of causes and provide convincing supports. Specifically, this book states gay rights are human rights and how United States describes main steps that needed to do to provide the equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT). Eden, Dan. "Homosexuals Are Born Gay." Homosexuality. Ed. David Haugen and Susan Musser. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. Rpt. from "Homosexuality Is Not a Choice." Viewzone.com. 2011. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 11 Jun. 2013. This book will help me provide a logical sequence of clauses. Specifically, this book provides a scientific point of view that homosexuals are born that way; hormones also affect sexuality, beside chromosomes. Homosexual is not a lifestyle. Jefferson, Thomas. “The Declaration of Independence.” A World of Ideas. Ed. Lee A. Jacobus. Boston/New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010. 76-83. Print. This book will help me present the inalienable human rights in United States. Specifically, I will use the Declaration of Independence that states the rights of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”, shall mean to have an equal rights and freedom to love, to choose their partner and to get marry for every individual despite their sex’s orientation. “If You Think Being Gay is a Choice, When Did You Decide to Be Straight?.” NationalMemo. The National Memo, 10 May. 2013. Web. 18 Jun. 2013. This article from political newspaper will help me present whether being gay is a choice. Specifically, their interviews make people think “When you decided to be a gay or a straight person?” Millstone, Ken. “Where Gay Marriage Stands in All 50 States.” MSNNews. MSN, 28 May. 2013. Web. 18 Jun. 2013. This article from online news will help me examine what kind of “approval” from each state towards gay marriage. Specifically, I use the list of the states that legalize gay marriage. Tying the Knot. Dir. Seve De Jim, Pelletier Stephen, and Tjong Kian. Roadside Attractions. 1,049 Films, 2004. DVD. This documentary film will help me explain the sort of objections and reality that happens. Specifically, I plan to use the stories in the movie as a sad reality to this current unfairness toward gay couples. There are many gay couples are being together for a long period of time, whether they are married or not. They share their lives: mentally, physically, and economically. But when a spouse dies, the other spouse does not get his/her rights as a normal opposite-sex spouse would get, which includes pension benefits and/or the house (belongings). Wight, Richard G., Allen J. LeBlanc, and M. V. Lee Badgett. "Same-Sex Legal Marriage And Psychological Well-Being: Findings From The California Health Interview Survey." American Journal Of Public Health 103.2 (2013): 339-346. Business Source Elite. Web. 12 Jun. 2013. This scholarly journal will help me provide a logical sequence and surveys’ results. Specifically, this journal explains a research of physical distress from legal same-sex marriage and how they legally recognized will affect their mental heath and society.