Gay+Marriage

** What is the controversy surrounding the issue? **
 * Gay Marriage **

Do homosexuals have the same rights as heterosexuals? Obviously not. Considering that those in love with the same sex are not allowed to be married, homosexuals are forced to live a life where they must either hide their true self or fight against the beliefs of the majority. In many major religions such as Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism, homosexual actions or marriage are completely prohibited. In today’s society, many will follow the norm and tend to resist deviant behavior, but those who openly share their homosexual views believe that they are doing what is expected of them, not acting deviant. The media often portrays gay marriage to be a deviant act through cartoons and movies, but there are also sitcoms that support gay marriage and fight the majority opinion in society. Why do people reject gay marriage? It is not an easy question to answer since there are numerous amount of different views and beliefs in our society, but one will come across the reason being that reproduction is not possible with gay marriage. It is important that one focuses on not only the society’s opinion, but also to politics. America grants equal rights and opportunities to all citizens, but not allowing gays to marry is going against the nation’s proud promise.

** Who does the issue affect? ** Gay marriage discrimination affects people who are interested in the same sex and seek to marry those of the same sex as well. Though homosexuals face the toughest criticism and inequality, those also who support gay marriage rights face hate crimes or discrimination. Supporters of gay marriage rights are often viewed as deviant, but there are also many that are viewed as role models for the courage and actions they take to help gain equality for the homosexuals living in the same nation that promises equal rights and opportunities for all. Those who don’t support gay marriage may also be affected because they are bothered by people pushing for gay marriage to be legal across the nation. Many religious people find it disturbing to watch a gay couple together because it is against their religion and find it sinful to commit such actions that homosexuals do.

** When did the issue become part of national dialogue? **

The issue of gay marriage became part of national dialogue beginning in the 1970s after the APA voted in conference that homosexuality was a sexual orientation rather than a mental illness. In 2000, Pedophilia was also named a sexual orient in the exact manner. In 1924, the Society for Human Rights in Chicago became the country’s earliest “gay rights organization” where parades and speeches spread across the city and into the suburbs.

Within the United States, the gay population is rising exponentially. The U.S. city with the highest gay population is New York with an estimated 272,493 gay residents. Los Angeles follows with 154,270 and Chicago with 114,449. But the highest percentage of gays lies within San Francisco with 15.4%, followed by 12.9% in Seattle, and 12.8% in Atlanta. This means that one has a higher chance of encountering a homosexual in these cities if they are traveled to. Since these cities have the most amounts of gay people in them, they are the cities that encounter the most conflict with gay marriage because there are so many of them in one area, but they cannot marry each other because the law prohibits it from happening || The issue of gay marriage has united people by gathering together many gays to support theirissue of gay marriage. This has occurred through gay pride days and parades which require gathering of homosexuals. At these events, gays meet new people and socialize while having fun and supporting a cause. Many gays make friends at conventions or parades, and many even start relationships which encourages them to fight for their rights yet even more. Though there are many gays uniting, there are also cases of discrimination that cause gays to be distinct from society. Situations at churches where they will not allow gays to be a member of the church or even attend the church. Also, the U.S. Army discourages gays from uniting and expressing themselves with the “Don’t ask don’t tell” rule. Because of society viewing gay marriage as a deviant act, gays are separated from the rest of society and seen to be different than others simply because of their preferred sexual orientation. ||
 * [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/World_homosexuality_laws.svg/800px-World_homosexuality_laws.svg.png width="480" height="242" align="left" caption="File:World homosexuality laws.svg" link="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/World_homosexuality_laws.svg"]] || ** In what geographic area are people most affected? **
 * [[image:untitled.JPG width="453" height="242" align="left"]] || ** How has the issue united or divided people? **

** How does the issue connect to the constitution? **

In November 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that banning gay couples from civil marriage was unconstitutional. The Civil Union plan included all the same benefits, protections, rights, and responsibilities under law from a proposed law thought of by an advisory opinion of the court. Also, in April 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled banning same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, in result; Iowa started performing same-sex marriages in June 2009. Going back in time, the Brown v. Board of Education case states that separate is not equal, but same sex marriage is a contradiction because it is segregated depending on sex. In 1986, Bowers v. Hardwick ruled that sodomy in fact should be upheld and oral and anal sex is a crime applying to homosexuals. It is clear that in the past and present, there are two sides to the issue of gay marriage and a clear solution cannot be decided. If the Supreme Court rules gay marriage to be legal in all states, there will be many angry citizens that may rebel and cause violent acts. To this day, a clear answer cannot be found because there is too much in stake. Gays want to be equal, while heterosexuals want it to be prohibited, to both sides, there is no “solution”, rather, and there is only one decision that can be made, legalize it in all states or make it completely illegal.