Do you think the question of whether gay marriage . . .?

Question

. . . should be legal is something that should be decided at the national level, or is it something that each state should decide for itself?

Answer 1

Speaking as a Canadian, I could offer that perspective. Homosexuality was legalized in 1969 (which led to former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau to utter the famous words "The state does not belong in the bedrooms of the nation."). In 2003, the Ontario Supreme Court decided that not allowing gays and lesbians to marry was unconstitutional. BC and Quebec followed soon after. Eventually the Supreme Courts of the other provinces and terrotories, with the exception of Alberta, Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, followed suit.Those court rulings shook the federal government out of its complacency and finally declared same-sex marriage legal on July 20, 2005. This made same-sex marriage legal in the provinces and territories that hadn't already done so.

However, do I believe that same-sex marriage will become legal in the United States in the same way? No, I do not. Too many states have gone in the opposite direction by enacting Defence of Marriage Acts. So I think it's up to someone to do so on the national level. So what needs to be done in '08 is vote for a President who beleives that gays and lesbians should have the same rights as everyone else and be treated as they would like to be treated themselves. And get out and vote! Because the more people who go out and vote, the better the chance of electing someone that will make same-sex marriage legal across the country, which will nullify the Defence of Marriage Acts in the individual states. (This happened when it was legalized in Canada which made Alberta's Defence of Marriage Act invalid). Power to the people!

Answer 2

There is a benefit to it being decided by each state. Not every state in this union is into denying the right of marriage to its gay citizens. If it were up for a national vote in Congress, the Christian Coalition (and groups like it) might lobby to get it voted down.

The problem with the state-by-state passage is: a marriage performed in one state must be recognized in all. Some states have "defense of marriage" laws. Do they recognize the gay marriages performed in those other states? I don't know. That's ultimately the reason gay marriage should be decided at the national level. The final analysis: the Supreme Court will have to decide on this. With the conservatives in place I don't know how it will play out. I hope for the best.

Answer 3

It has to be legalized on a national level.

Here is a scenario. A same-sex couple gets married in Massachusettes. They live happily there enjoying their marital rights until they have to move to another state, let's say Georgia. Georgia does not recognize gay marriages and once they become citizens of the state, they are not married in the eyes of that state.

You cannot have state decisions and have any success.

Answer 4

This is a very good question!

If it was to be decided on a national level, then that probably means the president would have to be involved. If that is the case, then any future presidents would say "I'm for gay marriage" and use that toward getting himself elected. (Vice Versa)

If it is left solely up to individual states, then alot of people will probably be moving around.

However, if it is put on a national ballot and left up to the people on the next election, then basically all 'political problems' are dealt with.

Answer 5

Is should be at national level,simple as pie.
Why are the GLBT rights still somewhere in the air.
The whole section pays the same taxes ,have the same obligations as the rest of the USA,so why not have the same rights?
And not at states level:it should count as legal throughout the whole country.even in the outback states where the bigotry is the biggest:laws like that will never pass there.
Again,poor sods that live there.
No,it must be at national level
Every one should be treated equally:no exceptions at all.
Greetings:Robxxx

Answer 6

I think this country should get over it's religious routes and make laws accordingly. Religion aside, I see no ethical reason that gay marriage should be prohibited...no one is getting hurt in any way...noone is being taken advantage of..........
P.S. I am a happily married heterosexual and have no personal biases to inflict on others, it's just a matter of what I believe is right and wrong and while homosexuality is not my choice, it doesn't mean that it's wrong.
And to answer your specific question, it should be decided on a national level because the circumstances do not change from state to state....it's noone elses right to tell you who you can love no matter where you live.

Answer 7

At the National level.

Answer 8

Personally I think it should fall under federal juristiction. That way a govener or senator from one particular state that agrees with it can not make the decission, it should be done on a national level so the voters can vote for the candidate that is either pro or con on the issue making a larger variety of opinions before the law is passed or veto'ed.

Answer 9

According to 'Law and Civil Rights' the 48% of the interviewed answered National, the 46% Each State, and the 6% are unsure.

I think I'll stick with the 46%.

Answer 10

Because state and church are legally separated, I do not see any reason what so ever why the government should interfere with peoples private life. Marriage is between to private persons, nobody should have a say in gay or straight peoples marriages.