3/17/2014 SIRS: At Issue: Same-Sex Marriage

Educators' Resources Help Exit

Quick Search Advanced Search Topic Browse Database Features Common Core Correlations
[+] My List Student Tools Blog

«Back to Search Results

Translate: Select language

Add to My List Export To EasyBib Email Print view

Listen

Go to
R e fe re n ce
Summary
Citation

Subjects

Same-sex marriage

At Issue: Same-Sex Marriage

Marriage is traditionally viewed as the legal union of
a man and woman as husband and wife. But what
happens when those two people are two men or
two women? Until recently, homosexual couples
could not legally marry in any state in the United
States. In 1996, Congress passed the Defense of
State by State: The Legal Battle Over Gay Marriage | play...
Marriage Act (DOMA) which defined marriage as a
union of one man and one woman. DOMA did not
prevent individual states from recongnizing same-sex marriage, but it did allow states to refuse to recognize
same-sex marriages that were performed in other states. In November 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme
Court ruled the state cannot deny marriage licenses to homosexual couples, and on May 17, 2004,
Massachusetts became the first state to grant legalized same sex marriages. Currently, more than 15 states
have legalized same-sex marriage. In 2013, The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Section 3 of DOMA, which
barred legally married gay couples from receiving federal marriage benefits, was unconstitutional.Supporters of
same-sex marriage say gays and lesbians have a right to marry and receive the same marriage and legal
benefits, such as medical coverage and pension rights, as heterosexual couples. Opponents of same-sex
marriage say marriage is between a man and a woman and view anything else as morally wrong. They argue
that allowing homosexual couples to marry is unconstitutional and would destroy the sanctity of marriage.

Pro/Con and Essential Question

Should same-sex marriage be allowed?

Yes. Gays and lesbians should receive the same No. Marriage should be between a man and a
marriage and legal benefits as heterosexual couples. woman.

Same-Sex Couples Challenge Florida Ban on Gay Firms Balk at Gay Weddings

http://sks.sirs.com.covers.chipublib.org/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SIL3364-0-2728&artno=0000307415&type=ART 1/3
3/17/2014 SIRS: At Issue: Same-Sex Marriage
Marriage
Marriage Rights
The Marriage Debate: Gays Deserve Equal Rights
Religious Leaders See ’Tragedy’ and Justice in
5 Myths About Gay Marriage Supreme Court Gay Marriage Decision

More Viewpoints

Perspectives
"The church says that homosexuals should be treated with love and respect, but redefining the natural and divine
institution of marriage is simply something we are not able to do."-- Father Marcos Gonzalez, St. John Chrysostom, a
Roman Catholic parish in Inglewood, California
Doctrine Disputes Grow As Gays Wed

"Those who continue to oppose same-sex marriage should consider what it would be like to cross state lines with
their spouse and no longer be recognized as a married couple or lose parental rights to your children. Or think of how
you would feel if your community went to the polls on election day to vote on whether you have the right to marry."-
Michelle Johnson, former editor for the Boston Globe
After Four Years of Marriage, Paying Taxes and Raising Children,...

Critical Thinking & Analysis Additional Resources

1. Does same-sex marriage pose a threat to society Research Guide for the Critical Thinker
or to heterosexuals?
Writing a Mini-Research Paper
2. If gay members of society aren’t allowed to
Creating a Powerpoint Presentation
marry can they be considered equal citizens with
their heterosexual counterparts? Debate Guide

3. Is there an ethical basis for opposing same-sex Academic Writing Help

marriage?
SIRS Citation Guidelines

Related Articles
Topic Overview: Family
ProQuest LLC 2014; 10K, SIRS Issues Researcher
Topic Overview: LGBT Rights
ProQuest LLC 2014; 11K, SIRS Issues Researcher

Back to top ^

Su mmar y:

This article provides an overview of Same-Sex Marriage. Perspectives and analysis questions are also provided.

Citatio n :

You can copy and paste this information into your own documents.

ProQuest Staff. "At Issue: Same-Sex Marriage." ProQuest LLC. 2014: n.pag. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 18 Mar.
2014.

http://sks.sirs.com.covers.chipublib.org/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SIL3364-0-2728&artno=0000307415&type=ART 2/3
3/17/2014 SIRS: At Issue: Same-Sex Marriage

Staff, P. (2014). At issue: Same-sex marriage ProQuest LLC. Retrieved from http://sks.sirs.com.covers.chipublib.org

Add to My List Export To EasyBib Email Print view

«Back to Search Results

Educators' Resources | Privacy | Accessibility | License | Contact

Copyright © 2014 ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved.

SIRS® Issues Researcher

http://sks.sirs.com.covers.chipublib.org/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SIL3364-0-2728&artno=0000307415&type=ART 3/3