Gay marriage or same sex marriage is considered the union of two people of the same gender. It is one of the most popular, political and social issues of our time. Typically, those who support gay marriages argue that two people of the same sex have the right to be married and those who oppose argue that gay marriage is immoral and unconstitutional. It has been argued repeatedly about whether or not gay marriage should be legalized and accepted amongst society. This topic is so controversial it has gone far as being considered an infringement. Since the beginning of time, the world has told us that a woman and a man are supposed to be together. We are taught that gay marriage is untraditional and unethical. Some cultures even go as far as
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The movement began with the 1971 case of Baker v Nelson. Two men applied for a marriage license, only to get denied because the two were of the same sex. Issues only became prominent as more lawsuits were filed in the U.S. over the next two decades. In 1993, a very popular lawsuit Baehr v Lewin commenced because three same sex couples filed lawsuits against the State of Hawaii because they were also denied marriage licenses. Apparently, gay marriage was so intolerable; it led to the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The DOMA was an act that defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman. This act also allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages and denied them federal benefits. Alternatively, during the early 2000s, domestic partnerships and civil unions were granted in some states. These states included the District of Columbia, California, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, Washington, New Hampshire, Oregon, Maryland and …show more content…
More came to follow eventually, but despite the growing number of states legalizing gay marriage, there were a few that did not follow. Later that year, constitutional amendments denying gay marriage were passed in 11 states. These 11 states banned same sex marriage. It seems as if every time the battle for gay marriage got one step ahead, the issue was pushed two steps back. Another lawsuit, Obergefell v. Hodges was one that typically changed the fate of gay marriage forever. It was a case that would determine whether same-sex marriage is a constitutional right. This case wasn’t just one lawsuit, but a merger of 6 other lower level court cases that involved same-sex couples, adoption agencies, children and a funeral director. This case was the end of the battle for gay marriage. On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court decided that the Fourteenth Amendment requires all states to grant same-sex marriages and recognize same-sex marriages granted in other
The movement began with the 1971 case of Baker v Nelson. Two men applied for a marriage license, only to get denied because the two were of the same sex. Issues only became prominent as more lawsuits were filed in the U.S. over the next two decades. In 1993, a very popular lawsuit Baehr v Lewin commenced because three same sex couples filed lawsuits against the State of Hawaii because they were also denied marriage licenses. Apparently, gay marriage was so intolerable; it led to the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The DOMA was an act that defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman. This act also allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages and denied them federal benefits. Alternatively, during the early 2000s, domestic partnerships and civil unions were granted in some states. These states included the District of Columbia, California, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, Washington, New Hampshire, Oregon, Maryland and …show more content…
More came to follow eventually, but despite the growing number of states legalizing gay marriage, there were a few that did not follow. Later that year, constitutional amendments denying gay marriage were passed in 11 states. These 11 states banned same sex marriage. It seems as if every time the battle for gay marriage got one step ahead, the issue was pushed two steps back. Another lawsuit, Obergefell v. Hodges was one that typically changed the fate of gay marriage forever. It was a case that would determine whether same-sex marriage is a constitutional right. This case wasn’t just one lawsuit, but a merger of 6 other lower level court cases that involved same-sex couples, adoption agencies, children and a funeral director. This case was the end of the battle for gay marriage. On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court decided that the Fourteenth Amendment requires all states to grant same-sex marriages and recognize same-sex marriages granted in other