“[Same-sex couples’] hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right." These empowering words were stated by Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy on June 26, 2015, a day in which the verdict of the Obergefell v Hodges United States Supreme Court case came to a close. In a 5-4 majority opinion, Obergefell ruled absolute authorization for all fifty states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, a right which is protected by the United States Constitution. Granted high levels of euphoria and merriment disseminating nationwide with the legalization of gay marriage, amidst our country, profound
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In today’s generation, homosexuality is progressively being accepted along with the social and financial benefits that come with legalizing same-sex marriage. For instance, although gay couples cannot reproduce, there are millions of children around the world who are orphans. In a 2011 study by UNICEF, “there are 17,900,000 orphans who have lost both parents…and lack the care and attention required for healthy development. These children are at risk for disease, malnutrition, and death” (“Facts and Statistics”). This is noteworthy because millions of children would have the chance to be adopted and live a life that is secure and comfortable with a same-sex couple. Additionally, in the article “Are Gay Parents Good Parents?”, a recent study “[has] shown that children of same-sex couples are, in fact, often happier and healthier than their peers, and not having opposite gendered parents does not directly impact their wellbeing” (Craig). The claim, “marriage is only for procreation”, is contradicting because infertile heterosexual couples would also be restricted from marriage due to their inability to procreate. Next, same-sex marriage will not harm the institution of marriage as opponents fear. In a study conducted by The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy, data that was found was that “on average, same-sex couples divorced at an average rate of 1.1 percent annually…compared with 2 percent annually between heterosexual pairs” (Ellis). This argues that with lower divorce rates for same-sex marriages, it strengthens and creates an immense assortment of family types that can contribute to stable and humane societies; granted, it would create a sturdier institution of marriage that can benefit the welfare of children and society, and help
In today’s generation, homosexuality is progressively being accepted along with the social and financial benefits that come with legalizing same-sex marriage. For instance, although gay couples cannot reproduce, there are millions of children around the world who are orphans. In a 2011 study by UNICEF, “there are 17,900,000 orphans who have lost both parents…and lack the care and attention required for healthy development. These children are at risk for disease, malnutrition, and death” (“Facts and Statistics”). This is noteworthy because millions of children would have the chance to be adopted and live a life that is secure and comfortable with a same-sex couple. Additionally, in the article “Are Gay Parents Good Parents?”, a recent study “[has] shown that children of same-sex couples are, in fact, often happier and healthier than their peers, and not having opposite gendered parents does not directly impact their wellbeing” (Craig). The claim, “marriage is only for procreation”, is contradicting because infertile heterosexual couples would also be restricted from marriage due to their inability to procreate. Next, same-sex marriage will not harm the institution of marriage as opponents fear. In a study conducted by The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy, data that was found was that “on average, same-sex couples divorced at an average rate of 1.1 percent annually…compared with 2 percent annually between heterosexual pairs” (Ellis). This argues that with lower divorce rates for same-sex marriages, it strengthens and creates an immense assortment of family types that can contribute to stable and humane societies; granted, it would create a sturdier institution of marriage that can benefit the welfare of children and society, and help