The Fight For Gay Rights and Gay Marriage

By: Matthew Rauco

Unconstitutional!
The United States was founded on the idea of separating church and state. Our founding fathers made sure that America would not have a specified religion. But yet the strongest opposes of the bill being passed are different clergyman from many religions. Just like how Seth Foreman claims in his article for the New York times that Devout Catholics, Orthodox Jews and, ironically, the 70% of African-Americans who oppose gay marriage have become the new Ku Klux Klan. Religions should not have an affect on law making in the government that is what our founding fathers wanted to stay away from!

Right to the pursuit of happiness?

That is what America claims to have but yet not even half of the states have legalized gay marriage. According to Drew Desilver for the Pew Research Center Our best estimate: At least 71,165, but almost certainly more. Which is more people then Santa Fe and that is just couples that have been married before 2012. With so many Americans deprived of their dream of just getting married it seems simple not to pass the bill.

Lack of marriage benefits.

What some people dont realize is besides the emotional and moral benefits one gets from getting married one also gets financial and legal benefits. There is about 1,138 benefits that are offered for couples who decide to tie the knot. Some of the benefits include saving money on car insurance and it will also raise your credit score. Not to mention it will also allow for joint accounts that the spouses can share the finances and increase their financial stability. Not allowing same sex marriage is preventing plenty of Americans from taking advantages of these benefits.

Same Sex marriage with adoption

Everyday the worlds population grows more and more. Unfortunately along with the population growth there is also increases in adoption. However with same sex marriages being made legal there is a chance that most of these kids will get adopted and have two parents and a home. But most gay couples struggle with adoption because of them not being married. No matter what the sexes of the parents are whether same sex or opposite these kids needs home. So with the legalization of gay marriage in America the amount of parentless kids might go down as well.

Discrimination
We have seen decimation and abuse in the past but it has always been overcome with woman's suffrage and the civil rights movements. Unfortunately discrimination is still alive and well in todays time. But now the target is Gays and lesbians. Everyday many teen commit suicide because they get picked on for liking their same sex. Even at the legislative level they are being discriminative against. 34 states have made same sex marriage illegal. It is unjust and unfair treatment and something needs to be done. This discrimination is slowly on its way out the door just like all of the other forms of discrimination before it. But it has to start at the legislative level and work its way down. So help save a teens life by supporting gay rights and marriage and end discrimination of all kinds!!!

What if it was yours???

Facts about Gay marriage

Here are some facts from CNN writers Caitlin Stark and Amy Roberts 115,064 -- Number of same-sex couple households in the United States with children, according to the Census Bureau. 80.4% -- The percentage growth of same-sex couple households in the U.S. between 2000 and 2010, according to the Census Bureau. 27% -- The percentage of Americans who thought same-sex marriage should be legal in 1996, according to a MayGallup Poll. 53% -- The percentage of Americans who think it should be legal in 2013, according to the same poll.

Facts continued
14 -- The number of countries worldwide where same-sex marriage is legal in the entire country. They are: Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and Uruguay. In July 2009, the Senate approved the Matthew Shepard Act, which outlaws hate crimes based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. In one study, 26 percent of gay teens who came out to their parents or guardians were told they must leave home. The federal government accords 1,138 benefits and responsibilities based on marital status, not on civil union status. A few of those benefits are unpaid leave to care for an ill spouse, social security survivor benefits and spousal benefits, and the right not to testify against ones spouse, among others.

 There is no doubt that eventually Gay marriage will become legal in every state. Year by Year, the popularity for same sex rights is growing. Also year by year more people are voting for it. slowly but surely, states are changing their policies and declaring same sex marriage legal. Reports are saying that Hawaii is likely the next state to allow for it to be legal. So thankfully America is coming to its senses and allowing the rights that people are deserved. Discrimination of gays is slowing losing ground. The future of equal rights for all is slowly looking brighter.

The future

References
Desilver, Drew. "How Many Same-sex Marriages in the U.S.? At Least 71,165, Probably More." Pew Research Center RSS. Facttank, 26 June 2013. Web. 03 Dec. 2013. Forman, Seth. "Five Arguments against Gay Marriage: Society Must Brace for Corrosive Change." NY Daily News. N.p., 23 June 2011. Web. 02 Dec. 2013. Roberts, Amy and Stark, Caitlin. "By the Numbers: Same-sex Marriage." CNN. Cable News Network, 29 Aug. 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.