Same-sex marriage is not a new concept to the world, but in the United States it is still not one hundred percent accepted. Some states do allow same-sex marriage, some allow civil unions (which will be explained later), and some states still do not allow any form of same-sex unions. Of the fifty states, six allow same-sex marriage with all the benefits. These states are Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. Same sex marriage is also allowed in the District of Columbia and in two Washington state Native American tribes. Two more states, Washington and Maryland, have passed a bill allowing same-sex marriage, but they have not taken effect just yet ("Defining Marriage: Defense...”).
The state of California was once a happy place for same-sex couples to go to get married. As of June 16, 2008, California granted marriage licenses to same-sex couples, but was discontinued on November 5, 2008 because of Proposition 8 - Eliminates Rights of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. Proposition 8 was passed and made same-sex marriage illegal in California. Although Proposition 8 was deemed just due because of the California constitution stating that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California, It was ruled unconstitutional under the U.S. Constitution. The proposition was repealed and now same-sex couple will be again allowed to marry within California boundaries ("California Proposition 8...”).
There are also states that grant a marriage like union called a civil union. A civil union is basically a marriage, but some of the marriage benefits do not apply to civil union partnerships. The states that allow civil unions are Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Some other states are more lenient of same-sex couples, but do not allow civil unions or marriages. These states do, however, grant nearly all state-level spousal rights. At this moment those states are California (until its marriage ability is back into full effect), Nevada, and Oregon. There are also states that provide some spousal rights: Hawaii, Maine, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The rest of the United States do not allow any same-sex relationships: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming ("Defining Marriage: Defense...”).
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To Marry or Not to Marry: It Should Not be a Question
Non-FictionThis was my research paper for my college writing class. I had to present all the sides: con, middle, and pro.
