Current statistics say that 10 percent of the population is gay/lesbian. 1/3 of these lesbian couples have children, and 1/5 of the gay couples have children. That is millions of people.... Then why all the opposition??
Nearly seventy percent of people in the US oppose gay marrigage, almost the same proportion as are otherwise supportive of gay rights.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Legislation on Same-Sex Marriage and Same-Sex Adoption
Legislation and Reform
The United States is divided in that there is not a blanket law that governs gay marriage as a whole. While the United States’ Federal Government has passed controversial laws regarding what constitutes a marriage, for example through its Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996, the system is such that while the Federal Government itself does not recognize gay marriage, individual states have the ability to pass legislation prohibiting, or recognizing, gay marriage for themselves. The legalization of gay marriage became a prominent political issue in the 1990s, and has remained a controversial and touchy point in political discussion today.
State Laws
In many individual states, gay marriage is on the agenda. Gay marriages were first considered legal in Massachusetts in 2003. Since then, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont have followed suit and now permit and recognize same-sex marriage. In New Hampshire, gay marriage will be fully legal on January 1, 2010—the legislation has already been passed. Maine is in an interesting situation—voters will decide whether to repeal a law that permits same-sex marriage in November. At this point, many experts are saying that it is too close to call, though some are claiming victory already. This month, in Washington DC, a bill was introduced that would legalize same-sex marriage. While most people believe that the bill will become law, DC provides a different kind of lawmaking—Congress gets the chance to override any DC laws. The city currently recognizes same-sex marriages, as does New York, Rhode Island, and California. In California, gay marriage was legal from June 16, 2008, to November 4, 2008, until constituents voted on Proposition 8, and the gay marriage laws were repealed.
An Interactive Map of State Laws
An Article on Washington, DC's Vote
An Article on Maine's Upcoming Vote
Federal Laws
In addition to the varied laws governing each state, there are also Federal Laws and guidelines that pertain to marriage between same-sex couples. The Defense of Marriage Act, passed on September 21, 1996, limits the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman, specifically. Its origin lies in fears that Hawaii would legalize same-sex marriage if a bill was not passed. The law itself has two main parts; first, that no state is required to recognize gay marriages, even if they are legal in another state; and secondly, that marriage itself is limited to a man and a woman joining together. Though the law passed with a sweeping majority, in September of this year, Congressman Jerrod Nadler, New York, proposed a Respect for Marriage Act to counteract the Defense of Marriage Act. The bill, which now sits with the House Judiciary Committee, would permit the Federal Government to grant benefits and rights to same-sex married couples. In 2006, the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would have prohibited states from recognizing same-sex marriages, was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, but was voted down in Congress.
An International List of Laws
Gay Adoption
Gay Adoption laws, similar to gay marriage laws, can vary state by state. Some states do not allow adoption by unmarried couples in general, so that may prohibit gay couples from adopting if their marriage is not recognized within the state; this is the case in Utah. Many states have laws prohibiting or at least inhibiting adoption by a same-sex couple, or even by LGBT individuals. Here are a few examples, the most notable of which is in Florida, where gay or lesbian individuals are not allowed to adopt at all. Nebraska, whose state constitution defines married couples as male and female only, does not permit adoption by gay individuals or couples. Mississippi legislation does not allow same sex couples to adopt, much like Arkansas’ laws.
A U.S. map showing gay adoption laws
Discussion Questions:
If Maine and/or Washington, DC pass laws legalizing gay marriage, do you think it may be likely that other states will follow? Why or why not?
Given the current political climate, what are some reasons for and against the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act?
What, in your opinion, makes the US hesitant or unwilling to pass gay marriage laws when many other developed countries, such as Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, have laws that grant rights to same-sex married couples?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
An Introduction to Gay Adoption
Many same-sex couples across America have hopes to raise a family. Unfortunately for these couples, starting a family does not come as easy as it does for straight couples. While straight couples can have a baby the "traditional" way as long as they are physically able, same-sex couples have to rely on other alternatives to start a family. Some gay men choose to have surrogate mothers, in which a woman is paid to carry and give birth to your child, some lesbians have their own children through fertility clinics and sperm banks, and some couples choose to adopt.According to the Seccombe text, Families and Their Social Worlds, only nine states allow openly homosexual adoptions. These states include: California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Washington, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. Because so few states allow for open adoption, many gay men and lesbians have had to cover up their sexual orientation in the past. However, this leads to problems for a couple since only one of the parents will have legal rights to the child. In states where openly gay adoption is not allowed, one person must adopt the child and their partner has to apply for the position of "co-parent" so they may also be considered the child's legal guardian.
The picture above is from a documentary called "Daddy & Papa" that follows a group of gay men and their children. Producer Johnny Symons and his partner William Rogers knew that they wanted children but were daunted by the process that was ahead of them. To get their son, Zachary, they had to go through the adoption process which even included CPR classes. William later comments on the fact that straight couples can simply have sex to get a child and do not need the approval of anyone while he and his partner were having to pass classes in order to start their family. On top of that, Johnny and William had to face Zachary's foster mother who was not happy about the idea of "two daddies" until she got to know them and realized how much love they would give to Zachary. (See video below. . . )
• Gay men and lesbians sexually abuse their children.
Truth: Studies on sexual abuse show that homosexuals no more likely to sexually abuse children than heterosexuals.
• If a child is raised by gay men or lesbians they also will turn out gay.
Truth: Studies on this assumption show no evidence that the sexual orientation of the parents (birth or adoptive) influences the sexual orientation of the child.
• Children raised by gay men or lesbians will face many problems from growing up in an abnormal family.
Truth: No studies show evidence that children raised by homosexuals are different from children raised by heterosexuals when it comes to their psychological and developmental health.
Source: daddyandpapa.com
Discussion Questions
• According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in April 2005 110,000 children in the U.S. were in foster care waiting to be adopted. Should these children be deprived of a loving home simply because the parents in question are homosexuals?
• Have you ever known someone with two moms or two dads? How did that make you feel? Were there more similarities or more differences in their family compared to "traditional" families?
Monday, October 19, 2009
Why is Gay Marriage Important?
Preventing people from marrying separates them from mainstream society. It gives the impression that gays and lesbians are not capable of forming regular family units. Refusing to let gay couples get married is similar to not allowing any other minority group to marry- it is withholding common rights. Marriage not only provides financial and social benefits, it is a tradition way of recognizing attachments to culture.
Gay Marriage
Same-sex marriage, or gay marriage, is defined as a social or legal marriage between two people who are the same biological sex or gender.
A civil union is similar to marriage and grants same-sex couples nearly all of the state recognized rights and privileges granted to married couples. Many Americans are opposed to civil unions, however, because they are titled differently from marriage and therefore create a separation that is inherently unequal. (Source: New University, October 13, 2008. Volume 43, Issue 3.) The federal government does not recognize civil unions, and other states are not required to recognize civil unions performed in states where it is legal.
A third term that is helpful to understand is a domestic partnership; this is a status recognized by the city, county, state, or employer that may be available to same-sex couples as well as opposite-sex couples. It is similar to marriage, but a domestic partnership does not award any of the 1,138 rights that are granted to married couples by the federal government. Domestic partnerships in the United States are determined by local jurisdiction, and there is no national consistency. (Source: Human Rights Campaign. Domestic Partner Benefit Eligibility: Defining Domestic Partners and Dependents. 2009.)
In the United States the federal government does not recognize a same-sex couple union as a marriage; gay marriage is, however, legal in four states, and New York and the District of Columbia do not grant but recognize legal out-of-state same-sex marriages. The issues that prohibit legal same-sex marriages from expanding to other states are complicated because of this country’s federal government. Usually, the federal government does not establish and impose it’s own definition of marriage; marriages recognized by a state are recognized federally. With the passage of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, where a marriage was specifically defined as a union of one woman and one man according to federal law, the federal and state government “need not recognize a marriage from another state if it is between persons of the same-sex”. (Source: http://www.domawatch.org/index.php)
A poll taken April 30th, 2009 by ABC News/Washington Post found support for same-sex couple marriages at 49%, opposition at 46%, and those with no opinion on the subject at 5%. 53% of people polled believe that gay marriages performed in other states should be legal in their states.
People in support of same-sex marriages contend that it is not fair that they are denied access to the rights that are granted to heterosexual marriages. Among these rights are:
*Hospital visitation. In a married couple, when one of the two is in the hospital the other spouse has the right to visit and make medical decisions. Same-sex couples do not necessarily have this right, and can be denied visitation to see their loved one.
*Social Security benefits. Married couples receive Social Security payments upon the death of a spouse; even though they pay payroll taxes, gay and lesbian partners receive no Social Security survivor benefits. This results in an average annual income loss of $5,528 after the death of a partner.
*Immigration. Americans in relationships from two different nationalities are not permitted to petition for their same-sex partners to immigrate. As a result, they are often forced to separate or move to another country.
*Health insurance. Many public and private employers provide medical coverage to the spouses of their employees, but most employers do not provide coverage to the life partners of gay and lesbian employees.
These are just a few examples, and others include estate taxes, family leave, nursing home rights, home protection for seniors when their spouse is in the nursing home, and pensions.
(Source: Human Rights Campaign. Facts and Questions About Same-Sex Marriage. 2009.)
Here are some questions to get everyone thinking about/discussing gay marriage:
Why do you think marriage is so important to same sex couples? Is it because of the legal benefits or is it something more?
Should marriage be a way of recognizing people who love each other and want to spend their lives together? Or should the legal definition stating it is only a union between a man and a woman preside?
Do you think that prohibiting same-sex marriage is just as discriminatory as prohibiting interracial marriage, like some states used to do? If not, what is the difference?
A civil union is similar to marriage and grants same-sex couples nearly all of the state recognized rights and privileges granted to married couples. Many Americans are opposed to civil unions, however, because they are titled differently from marriage and therefore create a separation that is inherently unequal. (Source: New University, October 13, 2008. Volume 43, Issue 3.) The federal government does not recognize civil unions, and other states are not required to recognize civil unions performed in states where it is legal.
A third term that is helpful to understand is a domestic partnership; this is a status recognized by the city, county, state, or employer that may be available to same-sex couples as well as opposite-sex couples. It is similar to marriage, but a domestic partnership does not award any of the 1,138 rights that are granted to married couples by the federal government. Domestic partnerships in the United States are determined by local jurisdiction, and there is no national consistency. (Source: Human Rights Campaign. Domestic Partner Benefit Eligibility: Defining Domestic Partners and Dependents. 2009.)
In the United States the federal government does not recognize a same-sex couple union as a marriage; gay marriage is, however, legal in four states, and New York and the District of Columbia do not grant but recognize legal out-of-state same-sex marriages. The issues that prohibit legal same-sex marriages from expanding to other states are complicated because of this country’s federal government. Usually, the federal government does not establish and impose it’s own definition of marriage; marriages recognized by a state are recognized federally. With the passage of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, where a marriage was specifically defined as a union of one woman and one man according to federal law, the federal and state government “need not recognize a marriage from another state if it is between persons of the same-sex”. (Source: http://www.domawatch.org/index.php)
A poll taken April 30th, 2009 by ABC News/Washington Post found support for same-sex couple marriages at 49%, opposition at 46%, and those with no opinion on the subject at 5%. 53% of people polled believe that gay marriages performed in other states should be legal in their states.
People in support of same-sex marriages contend that it is not fair that they are denied access to the rights that are granted to heterosexual marriages. Among these rights are:
*Hospital visitation. In a married couple, when one of the two is in the hospital the other spouse has the right to visit and make medical decisions. Same-sex couples do not necessarily have this right, and can be denied visitation to see their loved one.
*Social Security benefits. Married couples receive Social Security payments upon the death of a spouse; even though they pay payroll taxes, gay and lesbian partners receive no Social Security survivor benefits. This results in an average annual income loss of $5,528 after the death of a partner.
*Immigration. Americans in relationships from two different nationalities are not permitted to petition for their same-sex partners to immigrate. As a result, they are often forced to separate or move to another country.
*Health insurance. Many public and private employers provide medical coverage to the spouses of their employees, but most employers do not provide coverage to the life partners of gay and lesbian employees.
These are just a few examples, and others include estate taxes, family leave, nursing home rights, home protection for seniors when their spouse is in the nursing home, and pensions.
(Source: Human Rights Campaign. Facts and Questions About Same-Sex Marriage. 2009.)
Here are some questions to get everyone thinking about/discussing gay marriage:
Why do you think marriage is so important to same sex couples? Is it because of the legal benefits or is it something more?
Should marriage be a way of recognizing people who love each other and want to spend their lives together? Or should the legal definition stating it is only a union between a man and a woman preside?
Do you think that prohibiting same-sex marriage is just as discriminatory as prohibiting interracial marriage, like some states used to do? If not, what is the difference?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Week 2 – Gay and Lesbian Families – Marriage and Adoption
By Lisa Vise, Emma Rhodes, Kimberly Wabik, Cassidy Freed, Jacqueline Trabish
This week our group is going to cover the topic of homosexual families and various issues that come with being part of a same-sex headed family. The “nature of the American Family” has changed dramatically over the last century and even more so in recent years. The concept of the gay family is still very controversial and in flux. Throughout the week we will discuss a variety of topics pertaining to gay families including:
Day 1- Introduction to gay marriage
Day 2 – Introduction to gay adoption
Day 3 - Legislation and reform
Day 4 – Opposition and stereotypes
Day 5 – Celebrity Stories
Day 6 – Additional Current Events
Day 7 – Recap and summary
Before reading the blog, consider your own views on gay marriage and adoption.
1. Do you know anyone who is currently part of a same-sex family?
2. If so, how did this shape your opinion?
This week our group is going to cover the topic of homosexual families and various issues that come with being part of a same-sex headed family. The “nature of the American Family” has changed dramatically over the last century and even more so in recent years. The concept of the gay family is still very controversial and in flux. Throughout the week we will discuss a variety of topics pertaining to gay families including:
Day 1- Introduction to gay marriage
Day 2 – Introduction to gay adoption
Day 3 - Legislation and reform
Day 4 – Opposition and stereotypes
Day 5 – Celebrity Stories
Day 6 – Additional Current Events
Day 7 – Recap and summary
Before reading the blog, consider your own views on gay marriage and adoption.
1. Do you know anyone who is currently part of a same-sex family?
2. If so, how did this shape your opinion?
Summimg up
Our blog was designed to provoke thought on this controversial topic. Although many think he or she is not personally affected by the issue of health care in America, in some way everyone can relate to the problems circulated within our current system.
The homeless population in America suffers on many levels, along with the minority populations in our country. Women, married or single, struggle to afford, or even struggle to qualify for some sort of health insurance related issue. With our new president, Barak Obama, we could potentially see a radical change in what health care means to many Americans. Everyone will be affected by the change. People who have health insurance will no longer worry about being “dropped” because of an illness that could be costly An “insurance exchange” will be the implemented strategy for all citizens to have health insurance. Many steps are involved, and it will be a complicated process. However, the change would be beneficial to all the topics our group talked about and many more as well.
The homeless population in America suffers on many levels, along with the minority populations in our country. Women, married or single, struggle to afford, or even struggle to qualify for some sort of health insurance related issue. With our new president, Barak Obama, we could potentially see a radical change in what health care means to many Americans. Everyone will be affected by the change. People who have health insurance will no longer worry about being “dropped” because of an illness that could be costly An “insurance exchange” will be the implemented strategy for all citizens to have health insurance. Many steps are involved, and it will be a complicated process. However, the change would be beneficial to all the topics our group talked about and many more as well.
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