Law blogits all about law

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.

Nowadays, the percentage of working women is greatly increasing, and accompanying it is an increase in the number of cases of sexual harassment especially at the workplace.
Sexual harassment is defined as intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or giving indecent proposals for sexual favors. In some circumstances, this is considered illegal. It mainly roots from different behaviors leading to abuse or assault. Most of the time, the harasser has power or authority over the victim. In other words, there is preponderance and this is what the harasser is taking advantage. He can be anyone; a client, co-worker, professor, a friend or even a stranger. Contrary to what others think, the victim does not have to be the person harassed, it can be anyone who finds the behavior offensive and is affected by it in any way. There are different types of harasser, and the most common form of it is the Power-player or legally termed as “quid pro quo”. This involves “indecent proposals” in exchange for sexual favors. Examples are getting or keeping a job, favorable grades, credentials, promotions, and more. Next is the Counselor-Helper, also known as the Mother/Father Figure, who creates a mentor-like relationship with the victim and takes advantage of it. Serial Harassers are different; they try to build up a nice image so that people around them would find it hard to believe that they could do such acts. There are also types like the groper, opportunist, bully, confidante, situational, one-of-the-gang, pest, great gallant, intellectual seducer, incompetent, stalkers, and more.
If a harasser, especially in the office, is found guilty, the penalties against him may include warning or reprimand, Transfer or demotion, Salary reduction, Suspension or termination, Training or counseling, or monitoring.  Other than these, the Civil Rights Act of 1991 expanded the rights of the complainant, which allows individuals who file actions under the law to collect up to $300,000 in compensatory and punitive damages. In the years following the passing of this law, many states tightened sexual harassment laws and added measures to protect victims from reprisal.