Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage or equal marriage, is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or gender identity. Legal recognition of same-sex marriage is sometimes referred to as marriage equality, particularly by supporters.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
The first laws in modern times recognizing same-sex marriage were enacted during the first decade of the 21st century. As of March 2013, eleven countries (Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Sweden), and several sub-national jurisdictions (parts ofBrazil, Mexico, and the United States), allow same-sex couples to marry. Bills allowing legal recognition of same-sex marriage have been proposed, are pending, or have passed at least one legislative house in Andorra, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Nepal, New Zealand, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay as well as in the legislatures of several sub-national jurisdictions (in Scotland as well as parts of Australia, Mexico, and the United States).
Introduction of same-sex marriage laws has varied by jurisdiction, being variously accomplished through a legislative change to marriage laws, a court ruling based on constitutional guarantees of equality, or by direct popular vote (via a ballot initiative or a referendum). The recognition of same-sex marriage is a political, social, civil rights and religious issue in many nations, and debates continue to arise over whether same-sex couples should be allowed marriage, be required to hold a different status (a civil union), or be denied recognition of such rights. Allowing same-gender couples to legally marry is considered to be one of the most important of all LGBT rights.
Same-sex marriages can be performed in a secular civil ceremony or in a religious setting. Various religious groups around the world conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies; for example: Quakers, Episcopalians, the Metropolitan Community Church, the United Church of Christ, the United Church of Canada,Reform and Conservative Jews, Wiccans, Druids, Unitarian Universalists and Native American religions with a two-spirit tradition.
Studies conducted in several countries indicate that support for the legal recognition of same-sex marriage increases with higher levels of education and that support is strong among younger people. Additionally, polls show that there is rising support for same-sex marriage globally across all races, ethnicities, ages, religions, political affiliations, socioeconomic statuses, etc.[7][8]
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Marriage is universally understood to be the legal union between a man and a woman. This acknowledgement, however, has recently generated dispute and controversy in certain individuals, primarily homosexuals and supporters of homosexual marriages. This opposition, due to this mainstream view, exists because certain states such as Minnesota deny same-sex marriages.…
- 786 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Marriage is legally defined as a union between a man and a women unified until death do them part. The bible describes marriage as a sacred bond between a man and a woman before God. Therefore, same sex marriage is not applicable legally nor religiously in the United States. It’s meaning remains clear the same in both legal and religious definitions. I do not agree with same sex marriage because it confuses children and it complicates government laws. I do agree that they have a right to live happy and together, but not legally married. The author Thomas B. Stoddard, “Gay Marriages: Make Them Legal” agrees to same sex marriage and belive that they have same legal rights as everyone else.…
- 817 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Same sex marriage didn’t come to issue all of sudden. Despite U.S. same-sex couples have the freedom to marry in 37 states yet still facing prejudiced public gaze. To follow most people’s religious beliefs or traditions, same-sex marriage is something which shouldn’t be happening or accepted however, every person have the right to love and stay with whom they love. Same-sex marriage might be an issue against to our belief but when we get rid of our prejudice it could be nothing different than heterosexual marriage.…
- 412 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
“No matter what language people speak-from Arabic to Yiddish, from Chinook to Chinese-marriage is what we use to describe a specific relationship of love and dedication to another person” (Wolfson 90). In the essay “What Is Marriage” by Evan Wolfson, he argues that marriage is a very important custom to our society from both social and spiritual aspects of life. Wolfson believes that as long as two people are in love whether if it is same-sex or opposite sex, couples have the right to be married. The government should permit and support same-sex couples to be married and become financially and socially stable. Likewise, Author Andrew Sullivan of “My Big Fat Straight Wedding” writes about his perspectives that everyone should acknowledge and treat the gay and lesbian people with respect as a human being.…
- 1257 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
There have been several questions that have caused controversial issues for the government. One of these questions is, Can the government regulate who can and cannot marry? This is an important question relating to same-sex marriages. I believe that the government cannot regulate who can and cannot marry.…
- 674 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Those are marriages are strictly between a man and a woman and marriage is a privilege, not a right. In bible it is often quotes that marriage is a union between a man and a woman. So in the case of Baker v. Nelson, the Supreme Court of Minnesota found that “the institution of marriage as a union of man and woman, uniquely involving the procreation and rearing of children within an family is as old as the book of Genesis” (Gay Marriage - ProCon.org). So two couple of the same sex getting married is contradictory to that belief. Many Christian believers believe that it is morally wrong to allow same-sex marriage. These can be attributed to religious texts. Oppose group of marriage equality believe that marriage is a privilege and not a right. The classes that are protect under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 include “(1) a history of longstanding, widespread discrimination, (2) economic disadvantage, and (3) immutable characteristics… ‘Sexual Orientation’ does not meet any of the three objective criteria shared by the historically protected civil rights categories” (Gay Mariage – ProCon.org). Same-sex marriage contradicts nature. Two people of the same sex will never be able to marry because it is biologically…
- 1400 Words
- 6 Pages
Powerful Essays -
After the legalizations in Massachusetts and, most recently, California, gay marriage has been a growing trend in the United States. In the 8 months since the legalization, more and more gay couples have been rushing to California to tie the knot. However, California and Massachusetts are not the first to make an effort to strengthen the bonds of homosexual couples some European countries including Denmark, Holland, some Scandinavian countries, and others have legalized same-sex marriage and have found the results positive. Gay marriage has been a contradictory issue since gay men and women began requesting marriage licenses. However, gays are denied their rights to marriage licenses, which is denying then their rights as American citizens. Gays should be treated equally to heterosexuals and granted their rights to marry the person they love, whether they are the same or opposite gender.…
- 849 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
"Marriage is a coming together for better or for worse, hopefully enduring, and intimate to the degree of being sacred. It is an association that promotes a way of life, not causes; a harmony in living, not political faiths; a bilateral loyalty, not commercial or social projects.” (U.S. Supreme Court). Marriage has been defined as a religious & legal commitment between a man and woman, as well as an expression of love. Homosexuals have not been allowed to partake in these commitments and the rising support for same sex marriage is becoming more of an issue for the government and voters. There are those that are against same sex marriage, who believe that marriage should be strictly between a man and a woman (Barber), and then there are those who believe that it is up to the individual on whom they want to marry (Quindlen). Despite the complexities surrounding the issue of gay marriage and the expansive argument on either side authors Anna Quindlen and La Shawn Barber present extremely simplistic yet opposing views on same sex marriage.…
- 1185 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
As of November 20, 2014, same –sex marriage has been legalized in 35 out of 50 U.S. states. Same-sex marriage is a hot topic which the Supreme Court is considering to legalize. Many people say a homosexual person is a sinner. The question is do homosexual people choose his or her gender? They were born that way and they are happy with their lives. Homosexual people are nothing unlike heterosexual people. They are living, they are working, and they contribute to society. Proponents state that same-sex couples should have access to the same marriage benefits and public acknowledgment enjoyed by heterosexual couples and that prohibiting gay marriage is unconstitutional discrimination. On the other side, opponents argue that altering the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman will further weaken a threatened institution and that legalizing gay marriage is a slippery downhill way that may lead to polygamous and interspecies marriages (gaymarriage.procon.org). All people in the world should understand the meaning of marriage, whether a same-sex marriage or a traditional marriage. For that reason, same-sex marriage should be considered as a legal marriage because it is an equal right for humankind and beneficial for society as well as preventing youth suicide.…
- 1599 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
Several religious institutions, most recently the Catholic Church, have formally renounced the idea of same-sex marriage, referring to religious texts that define marriage as solely the union of a man and woman.…
- 1241 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Since 2001, same sex marriages have been big issues in the US and other countries like (Argentina, Canada, Iceland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Portugal, Mexico City, Spain, South Africa, and some regions within the United States). It is always a debate in the US based on the fact if we don’t allow same sex marriage, it affect our right constitutional demand of equality established by our founding fathers.…
- 970 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Same-sex marriage is a controversial topic because lots of people argue that this is a matter of equality and everyone should have the same rights, but there are also people against homosexual marriage such as religious and political people that are fervently opposed to gay marriage, arguing that this will only cause damage. Homosexual marriage is the marriage between people of the same sex, for example a man marrying another man, or a woman marrying another woman. Even though some Americans believe allowing gay couples to marry is against religious beliefs, other people feel that marriage should be allowed to everyone because there is no reason for sex discrimination.…
- 1709 Words
- 7 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Same-sex marriage can be defined by the union of two men or two women. In most country, this type of union does not exist. Same-sex marriages are accepted in only five countries, which are Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada and South Africa. In many other countries some other type of homosexual unions are accepted but can not be defined has a marriage. In Canada, civil unions are accessible to homosexual couples since 1999. Canada have been the fourth country to legalized homosexual wedding in all of his provinces and territories in July 2005. Event if the law exist, the debate is still alive. Many religious organizations would like to change the law to redefine the wedding as a union between a man and a woman.…
- 378 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Same-sex marriage (also called gay marriage/marriage equality) is a legally or socially recognized marriage between two persons of the same biological sex. Same-sex marriage is a civil rights, political, social, moral, and religious issue in many nations. Marriage equality is important because it allows two human beings to legally be with the one person they love. There are other important aspects of marriage equality. Same-sex couples are excluded from the privileges heterosexual couples receive on a federal level, such as; they cannot use Family & Medical Leave for a same-sex partner, sponsoring a foreign spouse for citizenship, employer-sponsored health benefits for your spouse / partner is assessed federal taxes, Social Security benefits are not issued to same sex partners in case of death or disability, relationship status (married, domestic partner, civil union, etc.) are often not given recognition when you cross state lines, spouses cannot file joint taxes, claim certain tax breaks, or avoid inheritance taxes on property passed from one spouse to the next. (Why).…
- 1808 Words
- 8 Pages
Good Essays -
Gay marriage (also known as same-sex marriage) generally refer to the marriage between two people with same sex can be either both male or both female.…
- 436 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays