argument paper that i think should be public.
Gay Marriage: A Matter of Human Rights
At present, the Connecticut General Assembly is debating the issue of gay marriage. After being rejected in the previous legislative session, talk about same-sex civil-unions is gaining momentum. Civil unions, however, are not enough. Connecticut needs to take the next step in creating “a more perfect union.” Connecticut needs to legalize gay marriage.
The problem with the current legislation is that those who live alternate lifestyles are treated as another class of people. United States citizens are usually defined as “equal,” but denying to extend the right to marriage to same-sex couples is going against that definition. Same-sex couples are citizens of the United States as much as heterosexual couples, so denying them the right to marry is unconstitutional. Couples marry for love, to be a recognized couple. Love is no different between two men or two women or a man and a woman. A nation that is touted for having declared “All men are created equal,” at its core is divided and segregated.
There are many laws in Connecticut that use martial status as a definition, laws and rights that should be granted to homosexual and heterosexual couples equally. As reported by Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) in a report issued about Connecticut laws that use martial status as a factor, same-sex couples are denied rights in estate and inheritance. Same-sex couples are denied the right to make a wrongful death or loss of consortium claim if their partners die due to wrongdoing. They are denied inheritance rights without the presence of a will, while the law protects spouses that die without a will. In health care, a homosexual cannot see their loved one in the hospitals because they are not considered “immediate family.” Since they cannot marry and therefore cannot be counted as a “family,” same-sex couples - and any children they adopt -are ineligible for family medical plans by employers. Even in old age, two same-sex lovers do not have the right to share a room, while married couples do.
Some opponents to legalizing gay marriage will settle for civil unions. Some believe this is enough, but civil unions do not provide the full benefits that married couples obtain, and therefore, are just as unequal. Civil unions create a “second-class” of citizen, restricting marriage to heterosexuals and allocating civil unions to the “different class,” homosexuals. There are over 1,000 governmental protections and rights allowed to married couples that civil unions cannot obtain, as the GLAD report states.
There is enough strife already in this nation. Every day, in common talk, Americans say “gay,” “homo,” and “queer” as derogatory terms, hatefully towards other people. Conservatives and the religious right condemn homosexuals, creating black sheep in their communities. Homosexuals coming out with their sexuality create rifts in their families because of unacceptance. This nation cannot suffer this social stratification. Gay marriage needs to be legalized to truly live the promise that “All men are created equal.”
by Red W. please quote me if you use quotes. it's just common courtesy.
At present, the Connecticut General Assembly is debating the issue of gay marriage. After being rejected in the previous legislative session, talk about same-sex civil-unions is gaining momentum. Civil unions, however, are not enough. Connecticut needs to take the next step in creating “a more perfect union.” Connecticut needs to legalize gay marriage.
The problem with the current legislation is that those who live alternate lifestyles are treated as another class of people. United States citizens are usually defined as “equal,” but denying to extend the right to marriage to same-sex couples is going against that definition. Same-sex couples are citizens of the United States as much as heterosexual couples, so denying them the right to marry is unconstitutional. Couples marry for love, to be a recognized couple. Love is no different between two men or two women or a man and a woman. A nation that is touted for having declared “All men are created equal,” at its core is divided and segregated.
There are many laws in Connecticut that use martial status as a definition, laws and rights that should be granted to homosexual and heterosexual couples equally. As reported by Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) in a report issued about Connecticut laws that use martial status as a factor, same-sex couples are denied rights in estate and inheritance. Same-sex couples are denied the right to make a wrongful death or loss of consortium claim if their partners die due to wrongdoing. They are denied inheritance rights without the presence of a will, while the law protects spouses that die without a will. In health care, a homosexual cannot see their loved one in the hospitals because they are not considered “immediate family.” Since they cannot marry and therefore cannot be counted as a “family,” same-sex couples - and any children they adopt -are ineligible for family medical plans by employers. Even in old age, two same-sex lovers do not have the right to share a room, while married couples do.
Some opponents to legalizing gay marriage will settle for civil unions. Some believe this is enough, but civil unions do not provide the full benefits that married couples obtain, and therefore, are just as unequal. Civil unions create a “second-class” of citizen, restricting marriage to heterosexuals and allocating civil unions to the “different class,” homosexuals. There are over 1,000 governmental protections and rights allowed to married couples that civil unions cannot obtain, as the GLAD report states.
There is enough strife already in this nation. Every day, in common talk, Americans say “gay,” “homo,” and “queer” as derogatory terms, hatefully towards other people. Conservatives and the religious right condemn homosexuals, creating black sheep in their communities. Homosexuals coming out with their sexuality create rifts in their families because of unacceptance. This nation cannot suffer this social stratification. Gay marriage needs to be legalized to truly live the promise that “All men are created equal.”
by Red W. please quote me if you use quotes. it's just common courtesy.