Should gay couples be allowed to recieve the same benefits as straight married couples in the Peace Corps?

Question

Straight married couples are allowed to be stationed together in other countries in the Peace Corps. Gay unmarried couples are seen as couples because they aren't married. Although people are working to strengthen the gay rights movement here in America, other countries don't want to be like us(Islamic countries for example).

Answer 1

Of course! They should have every right that straight people have!

Answer 2

There are a few difficulties with the scenario of this, and actually it has more to do with the country of service than with the American society.

The only "benefit" that a married couple receives is that they will most likely be stationed in the same location, or close enough to spend weekends together in some cases. Otherwise, they receive living allowances as if they are two separate volunteers, as well as all the other medical attention and life insurance, etc.

That said, the Peace Corps does not discriminate against any race, religion, sexual preference, or anything else they can think of to list. One of the questions involved in my own interview was how I would deal with a fellow volunteer who was gay or bisexual. It caused no problems for me.

It is part of the role of the volunteer to form a support group and protection of other volunteers. This includes protection of such a secret as sexual preference or background. Unfortunately, in many countries a volunteer could be harassed, jailed, or even killed outright (by law) if that "secret" were discovered -- as you noted, especially among Islamic peoples.

The Peace Corps was willing to work with all of our volunteers present, and that included couples who became engaged or wanted to be nearer in location. We had 5 or 6 volunteers whose site location was changed at their own request, due to housing problems, problems at the site, or their wish to be near friends or signifiicant others. While this took some convincing with the staff, it has been done many times.

I hope that this enlightens you about the issues; feel free to ask about it more if you need to!

Answer 3

Of course they should. Jesus who Christians are supposed to be following said that some people were not made to be married, so they must remain outsiders and not be able to decide if a loved one lives on life support or dies? Common Law people do not get that right,but we have a lot of straight people who fit into the same quagmire because nobody wants to say a legal contract between two people is marrige. Why, it might revolutionize marriage and where would divorce Lawyers get their money from then?

Answer 4

As long as they are not going to a country where homosexuality is illegal. The problem lies in thefact that many countries would be insulted and apalled to be accepting aid from what they consider an "abomination". Acceptance of homosexuality hinges on people accepting that women are more than wombs and men are more than just sperm donors. When the world can understand that adult relationships are more than just a reason to overpopulate an overpopulated world, then a more liberal approach can be expected from the peace corps.

Answer 5

I am understanding of both sides of the coin of yea vs. neigh.

On one side you have to respect the original intention of marriage which is defined and established in biblical terms, so it seems fit that those that are elders in the religion that established monogamous marriage be the ones to dictate its definition and who may enter. And since God in the Holy Bible has condemned the act of homosexuality, orgy and other abomination, you cannot fault those that do not feel or believe it to be right for them to enter into "marriage." So under the basis of "marriage" it does not make sense for one to enter into a defined union they are not defined to be part of.

Then there is the tail side of the coin... I have homosexual friends, many of them that I am close to and adore. I do not fault them as human beings and reserve my judgment, but I don't have to agree with what they do, just as I can love a friend that abuses their body with drugs, yet not agree with the act. People behave in ways we don't agree with. But yes, they deserve freedoms and equality in society. The moment "marriage" is introduced automatic backlash should have been accepted. So instead why not just call it a legal union. Make laws that recognize the common law factor of a couple living together in the same home for seven years are classified as a union. Grant insurance coverage, medical privacy and rights clauses to the sig. other. All the benefits a man/woman union allow. But don't label it the same- that's what this is all about- labels

Answer 6

As long as the USA has laws based on a Constitution that states that all men are created equal, then yes everyone should have the same rights. Whether we agree with "Gay Rights", or not, as long as gays are citizens of the USA, gays deserve equal rights...

Answer 7

Everybody should have equal rights. Gay people should be able to get legally married if they so wish, and they should be afforded all of the pros and cons of heteros. So should blacks, and so should women, and all Unites States Citizens. It is a God given right to be treated equally. Sexually, anything should be legal as long it is between consenting, rational adults.

Answer 8

I think if the couple has gone through a committment ceremony, they should be allowed the same rights as straight married couples. It's basic human rights!

Answer 9

I don't care about benefits some people just wanna get because they love each other not because of the benefits at least i don't care about benefits and yes i am gay oh just in case i think everyone should be treated as equals but still i don't care about benefits i just wanna be happy that's it

Answer 10

of course they should, but I doubt that will happen with the right-wingers in office.
and I think khapera should be exspelled from this country for being hateful and ignorant of the fact that AIDS is NOT a gay disease!

Answer 11

Yes because people should have the freedom to love whomever they wish. Isn't America supposed to be a "free" country? It sure doesn't seem like it.