Everyone has the right to marry whoever they choose. They should have the same rights that heterosexual couples are afforded once married. It should be about equalizing relationships, rather than granting rights. The American Heritage Dictionary defines Marriage as “the union between two persons.” Evidence shows, same sex marriages were practiced from as early as the 8th – 18th century. Places where this existed were Ancient Greece, Rome and Fujian Province China. Plato’s Symposium also described instances of homosexual attraction and Same Sex Relationships. Denying gay marriages are a violation of religious freedom and a form of discrimination. The First Amendment of the Constitution states, a person’s religious views must be protected and Government cannot make laws because a religion says they should, Bill of Rights - James Madison, this came into effect on August 21st 1789. Liberal Groups e.g. Unitarian Universalist Association, American Atheist, United Church of Christ and American Humanist Association all promote equal rights for persons of all sexual orientations. There are Six States legalizing SSM they are Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Washington DC and worldwide 10 out of 194 countries support this. These countries include Canada (legalized in 2005), Iceland (2010), Belgium (2003), Portugal (2010), Spain (2005), Norway (2009), Netherlands (2000), South Africa (2006), Argentina (2010) and Mexico City. Statistics show within the first six months of legalizing SSM 2300 gay couples were married which amounted to 7% of marriages in New York. California - 11,000 gay marriages took place, Massachusetts – 10,385 and San Francisco – 2,708.
However, further research shows the Legal System in the United States evolved from laws in the Bible and most religions consider SSM a sin and unacceptable Genesis 1:28 “and God blessed them and said unto them, be fruitful and multiply” King James Version.
References: Bible - King James Version American Heritage Dictionary United States Supreme Court United States Constitution – Bill of Rights introduced by James Madison (21/08/1789) Florida Domestic Partnership – Gay Adoption Statistics New York Times (2012) U.S Census Bureau