Oppression of Gay Marriage Supported by the Mormon Religion

Oppression of Gay Marriage Supported by the Mormon Religion

Oppression in the United States is prevalent in all different facets of life, and victims come in all different genders, sizes, and colors. However, one kind of oppression that has become a headliner in modern politics is one’s sexual orientation and their right to marriage. In almost every election, a heated battle over legalizing same-sex marriage is waged at both state and federal level. As of right now marriage laws are defined state by state, however both those supporting and those opposing of gay marriage are trying to get federal recognition from the Supreme Court one way or another. Major players financially and vocally in the resistance have been religious leaders of from all different sectors. One heavy hitter is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, or more commonly known as Mormons. The Church has been extremely vociferous in their views on this issue, and has spent millions of dollars insuring marriage stays between a man and a woman. The first legal battle started in 1991 in Hawaii, Baehr v. Miike, when three same-sex couples filed for marriage; they met all the requirements except for their sex. After Hawaii’s Supreme Court ruled that denying them marriage was a violation of their equal rights protection under the state constitution, nationwide backlash ensued. When a couple is married in one state and they move other states are supposed to legally recognize that marriage, for that reason Hawaii’s declaration set forth a need for federal intervention. The first federal legal effort in prohibiting same-sex marriage came from the United States Congress in 1996 when they adopted the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). As defined on the DOMA watch website the act, “defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman for purposes of all federal laws, and provides that states need not recognize a marriage from another state if it is between persons of the same sex.” While approximately 39 states have formulated laws modeled after the DOMA, a handful have made efforts to accommodate the individuals who seek the benefits of marriage. One of the driving forces for the argument in support of legalizing gay marriage is the joint benefits couples receive, including but not limited to financial such as tax and inheritance, hospital visits, and even protection from domestic violence. Legally married couples are able to obtain approximately 1000 legal rights under the United States government. The first state to address this issue and find a solution was Vermont. The state created the first civil unions in year 2000. A few states have followed suit and began issuing civil unions or domestic partnerships, however, this only reaches state level and other states do not have to recognize these unions. In 2003 Massachusetts became the first state to legally recognize same-sex marriage, since then five other states have followed suit, Iowa, Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, and New Hampshire. One state that has been the center of the media, and a main battlefield has been California. For a brief moment in 2008 California issued marriage licenses to around 18,000 same-sex couples before voters stuck down the decision on Election Day when Proposition 8 took effect. Proposition 8 is very simple it states; “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” After two years in effect Judge Vaughn Walker overturned Prop 8 in early August 2010, this being a monumental event for the supporters of gay marriage.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, or Mormons have been a influential player in this war especially in the key battle of Proposition 8. To understand their unwavering view on same-sex marriage one must understand their view of homosexuality, “According to Mormon doctrine, homosexual is not a noun used to label a person, but rather an adjective to be applied to either actions or feelings. Therefore there are no homosexuals, only people with homosexual inclinations.” The Church is not directly against the gay community, they do encourage active participation within the religion and its practices. One practice includes no sexual activity until one is married, and according to their scriptures and their political figures in the church same-sex marriage is not allowed. One of the many arguments the Church builds their oppression on is the sanctity of the institution of marriage. They believe marriage under God’s intent purposes was only for a man and a woman. One scripture they call on is Genesis 2:24, “After creating Adam and Eve, the Lord God pronounced them husband and wife, of which Adam said, Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Another argument is that marriage is closely linked to the power of procreation. To the Church marriage is a privilege in which one can create a relationship and a strong environment to raise children and create a strong family institution. In 1995, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”, helped the Church make their stand on marriage clear, “We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children . . . The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.” Leaders of the Mormon Church continue to vocalize their opposition and then showed their financial strength when it came to proposition 8.
Proposition 8 has been one of the most costly races in the nation besides the presidential election, over 86 million dollars was raised from both sides of the campaign. According to an article written by Peter Quist, 45 million was in support of proposition 8, and 40.5 million of that came from the website protectmarriage.com. Many of the donations came in after the leaders from Utah sent a request out to the followers to do whatever they can to help this ban pass. Here is one statement posted from their website, the official newsroom of the Church, “At the request of the Protect Marriage Coalition, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is making arrangements for them to call friends, family and fellow citizens in California to urge support of the effort to defend traditional marriage. The coalition has asked members of the many participating churches and organizations to contribute in whatever way they can to the effort to pass Proposition 8, including by phoning.” Financial help wasn’t the only effort the Church encourage, another study shown in a Nytimes article illustrates, “Mormons made up 80 percent to 90 percent of the early volunteers who walked door-to-door in election precincts.” Once the Church made a public request to their followers one can see how diligently they worked to keep the oppressed down. For the past two decades the gay community has been fighting for equal rights, not just financial but to be seen as human beings that can love and maintain a stable home and flourishing family environment. While headway has been made in a few states much of the country continues to oppress their rights to marriage. Many religious sectors have vocalized their opposition to same-sex marriage, though the Mormons have become a key player in the public eye. Using their financial strength, the Mormons, have shown they will go to any lengths to hold continue to support laws that ban same-sex marriage.

Works Cited
"Baehr v. Miike." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. .
Belge, By Kathy. "Difference Between Civil Union and Marriage - Civil Unions vs. Gay Marriage." Lesbian Life: For Better Lesbian Sex, Relationships and Life. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. .
Bidstrup, Scott. "Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives." Veritas Et Ratio - Truth And Reason. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. .
City, Lake. "The Divine Institution of Marriage - LDS Newsroom." Newsroom - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 13 Aug. 2008. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. .
McKinley, Jesse, and Kirk Johnson. "The New York Times Log In." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 14 Nov. 2008. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. .
Quinn, By Tom. "New Statesman - Mormons and Gay Marriage." New Statesman - Britain 's Current Affairs & Politics Magazine. 25 June 2008. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. .
Quist, By Peter. "The Money Behind the 2008 Same-Sex Partnership Ballot Measures." National Institute on Money in State Politics | Follow The Money. 18 Nov. 2009. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. .
"Same Sex Marriage." NCSL Home. Apr. 2010. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. .
Vestal, Christine. "Gay Marriage Legal in Six States." Stateline.org. 08 Apr. 2009. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. .

Cited: "Baehr v. Miike." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. . Belge, By Kathy. "Difference Between Civil Union and Marriage - Civil Unions vs. Gay Marriage." Lesbian Life: For Better Lesbian Sex, Relationships and Life. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. . Bidstrup, Scott. "Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives." Veritas Et Ratio - Truth And Reason. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. . City, Lake. "The Divine Institution of Marriage - LDS Newsroom." Newsroom - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 13 Aug. 2008. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. . McKinley, Jesse, and Kirk Johnson. "The New York Times Log In." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 14 Nov. 2008. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. . Quinn, By Tom. "New Statesman - Mormons and Gay Marriage." New Statesman - Britain 's Current Affairs & Politics Magazine. 25 June 2008. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. . Quist, By Peter. "The Money Behind the 2008 Same-Sex Partnership Ballot Measures." National Institute on Money in State Politics | Follow The Money. 18 Nov. 2009. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. . "Same Sex Marriage." NCSL Home. Apr. 2010. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. . Vestal, Christine. "Gay Marriage Legal in Six States." Stateline.org. 08 Apr. 2009. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. .