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The controversy of Same-sex marriage
Posted by admin | Posted in Sexual Harassment | Posted on 08-11-2009
Marriage equality, or otherwise known as gay marriage or same-sex marriage, implies the marriage between two persons of the same sex. While the federal government of the United States does not recognize this type of marriage which is also against the Defense of Marriage Act; this has been legalized in six of the 50 states namely Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont; Maine, New Hampshire, California (June 16-November 4, 2008), and New York and Washington DC. It was in early 1970’s when different movements were pursued to obtain marriage rights and benefits for same-sex couples in the United States, and it was in the 1990’s when the issue became prominent and politics have mixed up with it making New England as the center of same-sex marriage legalization.
The federal government does not recognize same-sex marriage, though they have not established their own definition of marriage, The Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman for the purpose of federal law. In this regard, the legal issues involving gay marriage has been more complicated. Barack Obama, while remaining sympathetic to gay rights, is against same-sex marriage like other democratic leaders. He opposes a federal mandate for same-sex marriage, but does not support the proposed federal ban on gay marriage, because for him, the individual states should decide.
On the other hand, same-sex marriage supporters make several arguments in support of their position. Advocates liken prohibitions on same-sex marriage to past prohibitions on interracial marriage while some supporters argue that same-sex marriage should be viewed as a civil right to a minority group.
In the present time, the issue and controversy of same sex marriage is still an unclosed case for there are many factors to be considered especially in the religious aspect. Moreover, this matter would still be a subject for discussion and controversy for a very long period, until humanity has faith in his religion.


