There are many communities across the nation who have legislated same-sex domestic partner ordinances. Throughout the nineties same-sex marriages were in fact being considered in many states. Gays and lesbians want more than just having their marriages accepted by the law, there are many benefits that marriage allows. If two people are legally married then they are allowed with there spouse, health insurance benefits, tax exemptions, home ownership, child custody, insurance benefits, medical decisions and much more. Vermont guarantees such rights. These are guaranteed to heterosexuals once they are legally married in a state. Since gay and lesbian marriages are not accepted by the law then there are many rights that are not given to them. Visiting a loved one in the hospital, applying for immigration, social security benefits, death benefits if a life partner dies, joint parenting, adoption, foster care, custody and child visitations are just a few of the rights that are not given to gays and lesbians. The constitution states that "All men are created equal." If this were true then this would not even be a debate, gay and lesbian marriages would be recognized by the law. And yet another stereotypical comment is that if we allow gays and lesbians to marry then this is going to bring to a downfall of all types of marriages across the nation. There are those , like stanley Kurtz (author of "Beyond Gay Marriage", against gay marriage), who feel that by allowing same-sex marriages then the government would eventually allow incest and polygamy. But how can this be true? There might be some homosexuals that want to marry more than one person, but this is a small minority, especially compared to the percentage of gay people, who just want to life in a happy 2-people-marriage. Peoples' reasoning behind these statements is the fact that they are scared of what they do not know nor completely understand. The truth is if they had more information and more knowledge on the topic then I think that they may in fact hold a different opinion.
Many peoples' viewpoints on the issue of same-sex marriages have changed over the past few years. Public attitudes about gays and lesbians are growing steadily more tolerant. The fact is that people are in favor of nondiscrimination against gays and lesbians but they are opposed to same-sex marriages. A lot of local governments and private companies have instituted domestic partner benefit programs for the same-sex couples. This is a step in the right direction, which the government is putting into effect.
In pursuit of equal liberties and rights, gays and lesbians have been trying to establish a law permitting same-sex marriages. In the state of Hawaii there was such a case. The state Commission on Sexual Orientation and the Law suggested that Hawaii change its laws about same-sex marriages. They felt that gays and lesbians should be given the right to marry. Some were against this saying that heterosexual marriages were for the sole purpose of procreation; however there are many heterosexuals who choose not to have children. Should these heterosexuals not be able to be legally married either? The court decision on the marriages of gays and lesbians has had such a significant effect for Hawaii. Hawaii adopted a body of legislation granting equal rights to same-gender couples and their families. They did not allow them all the same rights and benefits as heterosexuals, but did grant most of them. Another state which changed some of its laws surrounding same-sex marriages is Vermont. In 1999, Vermont's Supreme Court ruled that the state legislature must either equalize benefits under state programs for same-sex partners and married couples or legalize same-sex marriage. Vermont, allows the civil marriage of same-sex couples. There are some stipulations, just like Hawaii, which do surround the laws however. In the future, gays and lesbians will probably appeal and will be granted equal rights or at least more rights under the law as heterosexuals in marriage.
Gays and lesbians are human beings just like those who are heterosexual. People should not be given rights based on what there sexual orientation is; they should be given rights just for the fact that they are people. The United States is known throughout the world for being free and if this is true then everybody should have equal rights. Sometimes it seems as if we are reverting back in history when interracial marriages were the topic of discussion, people were against interracial marriages because they just didn't understand. Now, people are against same-sex marriages. The United States is denying two people who love each other the right to legally be married. There is only one bottom line for the reason gay and lesbian marriages should be recognized under the law, they are just as equal as any other person. Gays and lesbians are people who pay taxes, serve in the military and are active in the government. It is simple just allow them their rights as citizens of the United States, which they were born with.
(note to intrested homosexuals: Bhuddism sees gay sex as an higher experience and fully tolerates it. In most bhudist countries a gay couple can be married without hassle. The same in most western european countries. Germany, Denmark and the Netherland are the most respectfull and granted gays the right to marry first.)
Sources:
Scott Bidstrup: "Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives" http://www.bidstrup.com/marriage.htm
Stanley Kurtz: "Beyond Gay Marriage"
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/002/938xpsxy.asp