when states define marriage as between a man and a woman, what does that mean (legal ramifications)?

Question

I noticed states have added this to their constitution but I don't understand the intent.

based on the answers (some just weird), I'd like to add some detail.
The laws seem to restrict the "definition" of marriage. I assume this mean that states will not recognize a same sex marriage. But are churches restricted from performing them? Civil unions are not being outlawed. Gays are not being outlawed. The laws don't ban companies from giving benefits to same sex partners.
So, what is the intent of the law?

Answer 1

It just means that the state will not recognize marriages between same gender couples. It is a polite way of telling gay people that their relationships aren't equal to straight people's.

It's only intent is to clarify that even if other states with more liberal views do recognize gay marriages as equal to straight people's marriages, that particular state will not do so.

It is more simply put by saying it is the only way religious people could find to get religious discrimination legislated. I'm pretty sure someday all of that will be declared unconstitutional. Either that, or the government will not recognize ANY marriage at all... and will ONLY recognize domestic unions. I prefer the latter.

Answer 2

when the law defines marriage as being the union between a man and a women (notice i said when) this will effectively ban gay marriage without having to create a literal ban.

Answer 3

The intent is to prevent homosexuals from having the same rights as others in the state -- preserving a social status and creating a legal status as "second-class citizens." In effect, it creates institutionalized discrimination into the state Constitutions.

Marriage is a civil contract, meaning that to be liegal, the parties must be willing to contract, able to contract, and have actually contracted. States are saying that the "ability to contract" can only exist between a man and a woman -- dismissing all other contracts before they exist.

According to the United States' Government Accountability Office, there are1138 federal laws that treat married people differently from single people. If marriage is defined solely as between a man and a woman in a state, these exclude both homosexual and heterosexual unions that are not formalized by marriage.

These include legal and economic benefits only available to married couples including:

--joint tax returns and marriage benefits;
--sponsoring immigration of spouse;
--domestic violence intervention;
--Social Security and veteran's pensions;
--survivor benefits, including continuation of employer helath benefits;
--renewal rights to copyrights on death of the spouse;
--making, revoking, and objecting to post-mortem anatomical gifts; parenting and custocial rights;
--joint bankruptcy;
--next-of-kin status for mergency medical care;
--threats against spouses of various federal employees is a federal crime;
--right to community property;
--inheritance tax exemptions (such as in Oregon);
--rights in a wrongful death suit and rights for loss of consortium;
--"testimony privilege" regarding the legality of one spouse called to testify against another;
--right to enter into a prenuptial agreement.

The wording of individual states' definitions has already created other ramifications for both unmarried hetero- and homosexual couples. For instance, the wording of some amendments would invalidate domestic partnership benefits offered by private companies, property rights, power of attorney, hospital visitation, and inheritance.

Answer 4

45 states have either a state constitutional amendment or a state statute that defines marriage as a union of one man and one woman.

What it means: these amendments and statutes reflect the opinion of a solid majority of Americans, who feel that the idea of two men or two women marrying each other is, in a nutshell, too strange to be considered.

Answer 5

The intent is to exclude, by law, any homosexual couple from entering into the traditional and legal institution of marriage.

In other words...the conservatives got their way.

For now.

Answer 6

Cor 6: 9-10

What! Do YOU not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men, 10 nor thieves, nor greedy persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit God’s kingdom. 11 And yet that is what some of YOU were. But YOU have been washed clean, but YOU have been sanctified, but YOU have been declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.

so if you want to burn in hell...yes...keep looking for your sites...
men who lay with men, are unnatural, and will not enter Gods kingdom.
wow. very plain, very truthful. hummmm
you are confused, and without order in your life.
you need to talk to Jehovah and call on Him to lead you to where He wants you to go...

Answer 7

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image,in the image og God created he him;male (man) female (woman) created he ( God) them.The intent is to block gay marriage!

Answer 8

IT MEANS "NO ******* ALLOWED"