Using a sociological approach to support your reasoning, should homosexual marriage be legalized in US?

Answer 1

It would be better if the gvmt wasn't involved in marriages. These are private unions established by the individuals.

It wasn't until the early 1900's that the federal gvmt started to define what a marriage was.

Answer 2

Currently, homosexual marriage is legally recognized in Belgium, The Netherlands, South Africa, Spain and Canada. The US states of Massachusetts and Iowa have also made great strides to legalize gay marriage, although their validity is questionable from a national perspective.

Several states, including Washington, California, Hawaii, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey and New Hampshire recognize homosexual couples by using the term civil union or domestic partnership. The rights granted under these titles vary by state but they share many of the same rights given to heterosexual married couples.

Should homosexual marriage be legalized in the US? Absolutely. While the separation of church and state has never been absolute, moral guidelines are ultimately idiosyncratic and should not be dictated by the government. The strongest argument against homosexual marriage is based on morality and has no legal standing.

As national and international trends have shown, the tolerance (at the very least) for homosexuality is increasing. US citizens may be politically represented by the majority, but history shows that eventually the rights of the minority are recognized. Think of how far our country has come over the past 50 years. I am not comparing homophobia to racism, but I do believe the fight to legalize homosexual marriage will eventually be won just as segregation and legal discrimination practices have been abolished in the past.

Answer 3

No. Reason: Homosexual marriage is against many religious beliefs. Not just Christian, either: Orthodox Jews, Muslims, and Buddhists have some areas that consider this a wrong/sinful/immoral practice. With that background, let's look at the legalities of the United States. The people authorized to marry individuals everywhere in the United States are (a) judges/justices of the peace and (b) RELIGIOUS MINISTERS. If, then, homosexual marriage becomes legal it is going to interfere with the first amendment's freedom of religion clause, where ministers are going to be asked/sued/forced to marry a couple in direct opposition to their religion. Currently religions DO enjoy freedom to reject marriage (for instance, priests will not marry excommunicated Catholics, certain religions will not marry "mixed marriages" where one person is one religion and the other person is another unless there is an agreement over the religion in which children will be raised), but if homosexual marriage is legalized this, too, will impose government rules and regulations where they do not belong: on religious practices. EDIT: to answer your question about why, to sue them, to put them out of business, and to silence any and all critics. "Homophobia" is a ridiculous term but ANYONE who says they think homosexuality is a sin is labeled one. And YES, if gay marriage IS legalized, people will be REQUIRED to marry them regardless of their religious beliefs because it'll be "the law."

Answer 4

If religious groups think gay marriage is wrong, then they should be able to decide for themselves. The law should not interfere with religion unless safety is at risk. Having said that, I think religion should not interfere with the law or the government. The law exists to protect us. It stops our houses being broken into or nicotine being put in our milk. It keeps us from doing the wrong thing. But why should gay marriage be against the law? What's wrong with it? It doesn't hurt anyone, it brings happiness. It's only against the law because some people think it is wrong and it goes against their morals and values. Personally, I don't think marriage is that important.

Answer 5

Gay Marriage will be legal here soon because of:
Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness.
Equal treatment under the law.
Family values. (Remember, hate is NOT a family value.)

Answer 6

I think it would be better if gay marriage was legal because thta would end a lot of feuding and debate. Eventually gay marriages would be just as normal as straight marriages.

Answer 7

Yes. All citizens deserve equal protection under the law.

Answer 8

How about this one:

According to the 2000 US Census, 99.6% of the Counties in the United States have gay/lesbian families (gay/lesbian parents with children).