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Essay on The Revolution of Same Sex Marriages
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two people who are of the same sex (i.e., man & man, woman & woman). Other terms include both, inclusive "gender-neutral marriage" and "equal marriage"; and the exclusive "gay marriage", "homosexual marriage", "same-gender marriage", "lesbian marriage". Legal recognition of these relationships is vital to protecting the emotional and economic well-being of these families. Furthermore, legal recognition must be on an equal plane with heterosexual marriage--"separate but equal" is never equal. Most human beings at some point in their lives desire to share their fortunes and misfortunes with a partner with whom they have formed lasting bonds, desire to provide emotional stability and economic security for their loved ones, desire to feel secure in the knowledge that their loved ones' emotional and economic security are protected by law. Some also desire to raise a family. In this respect, as in many others, gays and lesbians are no different from heterosexuals.
No state currently recognizes same-sex marriages, despite the fact that approximately 34 percent of lesbian and 22 percent of gay male couples are raising children under the age of eighteen. And some argue that if gay couples are going to solemnize their partnerships; present themselves to the community, friends, and family as married; and raise children even without state recognition; then what is to be gained by changing the laws to allow them true marital status? The answer is that the mere appearance of marriage is only a shadow of the actual privilege.
The harm of this pantomime manifests itself in two significant areas: denying the life partner the benefits and protections afforded to a legal spouse; and interfering with the best interests of children by treating gay families differently than nongay families. (Link, David (1996) In considering how the denial of full marital status harms same-sex couples, legislators enumerated a long list of benefits and protections arising out of the marriage contract.......
