Same-Sex Marriage and the Changing Institution of Marriage

When thinking about same-sex marriage some of the the most common questions that appear have to do with the impact it will have. How will this effect todays society such as the impact on the future generation, the affect on the institution of marriage, and the legality of gay marriage. Most of all this paper will cover some questions that have to do about how society’s attitude toward gay marriage has changed. The most common occurrence of this topic is in current events in the United States. Same-sex marriage is the big topic of discussion now and is very relevant today with changing the institution of marriage. The long term effects of the continuing changes to the institution of marriage are the battle of equality, giving the rights for all couples to marry.
Although many changes have happened throughout the history of marriage, struggles still occur today for all types of marriages. This topic influences everyone today. People have an opinion on the situation whether good or bad. The impact of this subject is huge. Not only are the people who are fighting for equality affected but everyone else as well. Even if people turn their cheek to the issue they still play a role. Same-sex relationships will continue to evolve and it will take everyone’s involvement to make changes. For instance interracial marriage has paved the way for marriage equality and much of what interracial couple have gone through is what same-sex couples are going through today. The first question that sparks it all is, what was the first major spark in the gay right movement? On May 18th, 1970 Richard Baker and James McConnell attempted to apply for a marriage license in Minnesota. Gerald Nelson denied the application because it was two men trying to get married. Shortly after Baker and McConnell sued Nelson stating the marriage law in Minnesota made no mention of gender. It was struck down by the lower court and was then pushed to the states supreme court, where it was also struck down. This application of marriage is what started one of the most heated and controversial topics in the United States. Even though it looked like there was a glimmer of hope in marriage equality it went the exact opposite way. In 1973 Maryland was the first state to ban same-sex marriage. Many years followed and many states also followed in Maryland footsteps in banning gay marriage. Law suits from multiple partners flooded in many states but continually were struck down. Then in 1996 Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act into law that prevents same-sex couple to be recognized by the federal Government. When taking in the fact that same-sex marriage would probably never happen, Cara Segal stated, “...although we had fantasized loosely about one day having some kind of public celebration of our commitment to one another, neither of us had had a strong personal investment in legal marriage. Instead, we had always imagined that we would one day have a commitment ceremony in which our own personally meaningful rituals would affirm our commitment, regardless of the lack of legal recognition.” But to her and her partners surprise Massachusetts legalized marriage on May 17th, 2004 after legislation didn’t take action after 180 days. Later on in the article Members of the Wedding: The Psychological Impact of the Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in Massachusetts by Cara Segal she states, “Complicating matters further is the fact that for many gay and lesbian couples, making the decision to marry legally carries a symbolic meaning of recognition, but in reality can lead to further ostracization by those who feel threatened by our entrance into an institution that remains so heavily guarded. As we gain political proximity, they seem willing to seek any means to bar us from entrance, in a desperate effort to reaffirm their difference from us. It is true that for those who reify their heterosexuality and its supposed God-granted benefits, something is at stake: Any sameness that we achieve dismantles their claim on specialness, not to mention threatens their defensive stake on heterosexuality.” The above statement really connects to popular opinions that surrounded the U.S as well as what happened in California. May 15th, 2008 California legalized same-sex marriage but only six months later a referendum to ban same-sex marriage was approved overturning same-sex marriage November 4th, 2008. This was a monumental event because it was the first and only time in U.S. history where a state approved then banned same-sex marriage. Over the 38 years equality in marriage continued to fluctuate with the population and common opinions of society. Right when things seemed to be going great new challenges would arise for couples across the U.S.. By 2010 hope started to shine through once four states legalized same-sex marriage within two years. Even though marriage was starting to break down barriers, peoples opinions against gay marriage was harsh but shadowed by reality. In the book Why marriage?: the history shaping today’s debate over gay equality, George Chancey states "Although most people recognize that gay life was difficult before the growth of the gay movement in the 1970 's, they often have only the vague sense of why: that gay people were scorned and ridiculed, made to feel ashamed, afraid, and alone. But antigay discrimination was much more systematic and powerful than this" (5). With his strong assertions right off the bat, it shows the struggles gay people have endured. It also shows the reality of the situation was shadowed by the perception that gay people didn 't go through much. The shadow that was cast over the reality of what same-sex couples went through was a very real situation that americans often overlooked. Why? What are some struggles same-sex couples have to endure on a day to day basis? Although multiple states have legalized marriage for gay couples this does not mean that we have the same rights as many straight couples. More often than not we have to hide our identity and who we truly love. I have been ridiculed by many people for my sexuality, like many others than have had it ten times worse than me. Parents have abandoned their children because they do not think that it is right or it’s not morally accepted. Many articles have discussed how lovers are not able to see their partner in hospitals when their loved one is ill or has died. A prime example of this is the journey of Shane Crone and Tom Bridegroom. There were two men that were in a committed relationship for six years when it was suddenly cut short when Bridegroom died in 2011. In the documentary Bridegroom, Shane states, "I received a phone call from one of Tom 's relatives, and she wanted to let me know that I wasn 't welcome to attend his funeral. Because if I do show up, his uncle and his father had planned an attack." In the Documentary Shane showed the struggles he went through and how he was denied the ability to see Tom after his accident, being told only family was able to see the body. He was denied the right to plan or even attend Tom’s funeral. He was denied all rights by Tom’s family and had no say in any of the matters that involved his lover of six years. The documentary Bridegroom of what happened after the accidental death of Tom is moving, provoking and opens a door into the issue of marriage equality and human rights for all. Bridegroom is probably one of the biggest eye openers to into the inequality gay couples go through. It provokes many questions on why this is such an important topic. On June 26th, 2013 one of the biggest victories in U.S. history flooded the media. Proposition 8 was ruled unconstitutional in California and was struck down by the Supreme Court. The same day the Supreme Court also ruled Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which banned the federal Government to recognize same-sex marriage, was unconstitutional and was struck down. When the news hit Obama stated in Air Force One en route to Africa, “This ruling is a victory for couples who have long fought for equal treatment under the law; for children whose parents’ marriages will now be recognized, rightly, as legitimate; for families that, at long last, will get the respect and protection they deserve; and for friends and supporters who have wanted nothing more than to see their loved ones treated fairly and have worked hard to persuade their nation to change for the better.” Even thought this may have been a major victory for same-sex couple there will continue to be a battle for equal marriage. People will continue to have their opinions on the subject and project their belief on others and their family. Society will continue to change as children are raised in a more marriage equal environment. It will become more of the “norm” for people in the U.S. Even with these changes new topics have already evolved such same-sex couple adopting children. The struggles will continue to swamp marriage equality and will continue to fluctuate with society’s opinions but we will continue to fight for marriage equality. “It’s not a gay thing. It’s not a straight thing. It’s a human thing. Because... we believe in love. we believe in equality. we believe in changing hearts and minds.” (Bridegroom).

Works Cited Page:

Chauncey, George. Why marriage?: the history shaping today 's debate over gay equality. New York: Basic Books, 2004. Ebook.
Bridegroom. Dir. Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. Virgil Films. 2012. Film.
Segal, Cara. Members of the Wedding: The Psychological Impact of the Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in Massachusetts. Taylor & Francis Ltd. 2008. Article: English.
Barnes, Robert. At Supreme Court, victories for gay marriage. Washington Post 26 Jun. 2013. Print.

Cited: Page: Chauncey, George. Why marriage?: the history shaping today 's debate over gay equality. New York: Basic Books, 2004. Ebook. Bridegroom. Dir. Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. Virgil Films. 2012. Film. Segal, Cara. Members of the Wedding: The Psychological Impact of the Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in Massachusetts. Taylor & Francis Ltd. 2008. Article: English. Barnes, Robert. At Supreme Court, victories for gay marriage. Washington Post 26 Jun. 2013. Print.