Should all U.S. states legally recognize same-sex marriages?

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Law Debates

18 Contributors
in this discussion.

Yes
78% of users

  • I believe all U.S. States should recognize same-sex marriage, even if only for legal purposes.

    There are several situations where same-sex couples have been together their entire adult lives, but one passes away, and the other is not entitled to their death benefits. People who are savvy enough could create a will to make sure their partner gets the benefits, but their families can contest the will. Recognizing the legality of their marriage partnership would help in that situation.

    Yes ChildlikeJarvis90

  • All U.S. states should recognize same-sex marriages, because the same rights should be extended to all citizens.

    The United States was founded on the belief that all Americans have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Whether religious doctrines disagree with homosexuality or not, our country was founded on the separation of church and state. Therefore, our rights as citizens cannot be based on any religious doctrine. Lastly, same-sex marriage provides equal civil rights to all citizens. To deny a homosexual the rights afforded by marriage, it denies them the same rights as a heterosexual and, therefore, falls under inequality.

    Yes P3nrIin

  • Just because "The Bible" syas its wrong, doesnt mean its ACTUALLY wrong

    I think the argument that because the bible says so is a BS excuse as to not legalize same sex marriage. Not everyone in our country reads and believes in a christian bible, why should it be the basis for our laws? The bible also says aldultery is a sin, but were not castrating adulterers or throwing them in jail, are we? I think the bible has NO place in the making of our laws. Being a homosexual and getting married doesnt bother me in the slightest - they arent hitting on me, forcing what they believe on me, and I dont see same sex couples walking down the street fondling each other anymore than straight couples. So why are christians slamming the bible down everyones throats and that is truly their only argument as to why it shouldnt be legal? Homosexuals are now accepted in the military, but they can't get married? How ridiculous is that? They can fight and possibly die for our country now, but can't marry the one they love? They deserve the same exact rights as everyone else.

    Yes Anonymous

  • All states should recognize same-sex marriages, so that partners can have equal rights

    For a long time, the rights of same-sex partners have been an issue. Parents of children have no legal rights, if one parent were to die. Finances and insurance have been a mess. All states should recognize that it is the choice of the individual to be with a person, and should extend the same rights that a more traditional marriage has. Religiously, marriage can be questioned. But legally, and in terms of parenting and finances, same-sex marriages need to be recognized.

    Yes TedieDelight

  • Yes, same-sex marriage should be legalized everywhere in the United States, because religion should play no role in law.

    The United States is supposed to be the land of the free, with a separation of church and state. Those opposed to same sex marriage claim that it is immoral, and that it makes a mockery of traditional wedding vows. These opinions stem from a religious belief that homosexuality is an abomination. If the U.S. did, in fact, completely separate church from state, there would be no reason to ban this type of union.

    Yes TownNoam

  • There is no reason at all why they shouldn't

    It's a civil rights issue - anyone should be able to marry whomever they wish. Keeping it illegal is also an encroachment of government into church, and vice versa. Same-sex marriage will be made fully legal, it's only a matter of time. And, after it does, the world will not collapse - no one will care anymore and we'll retrospectively think of it in the same way we do the civil rights movement now, and the overall happiness of the country will improve.

    Yes Anonymous

  • Anyone should be allowed to marry who they want.

    There's no real good reason not to recognize same-sex marriages. People like to make the claim that somehow it will destroy marriage but there is no real evidence to support this. You're not going to stop two people who love each other from being together just because you say their marriage doesn't really count. This is a waste of time and effort for this to be something that is concentrated on and fought about.

    Yes FlyGiga

  • All states should recognize same-sex marriages and even allow them to be performed.

    Just because a man wants to be with a man or a woman wants to be with a woman, an individual should not be judged negatively. Certain circumstances in a person's life draw people to like and dislike others. The fact is that no two people are exactly the same and that everyone will be different. That's what makes the world go around. I believe that it is a discriminating practice for some states not to acknowledge same-sex marriages and feel that it is a disgrace.

    Yes taihenraion

  • U.S. States should legally recognize same-sex marriages.

    U.S. States should legally recognize same-sex marriages. Preventing same-sex marriages not only violates the rights of same-sex couples, it prevents them from accessing a myriad of benefits including tax breaks, joint health coverage and in some cases, making their life partner the beneficiary of their financial assets upon death. It is long overdue that the United States recognize the rights of same-sex couples.

    Yes NatBIab

  • I support same-sex marriage legalization to promote true equality in the nation.

    Keeping same-sex marriage illegal or unrecognized in the States causes these couples to be treated as second class citizens. When this is the case, Americans are not truly created equal. It has been proven that 'civil unions' are not enough and do not provide the same rights as marriages do. There are over 100 vital rights which marriages provide & civil unions do not. True equality will only happen through the legalization of gay marriage, and nothing less. If same-sex marriages were legalized across the nation, this may also help promote tolerance & understanding of GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgendered) people. This could bring about a lowering in the number of hate crimes committed.

    Yes MitP4rty

  • I agree with same sex marriage because everyone is human and wants love.

    I think it is unfair that same sex people can't get married in certain places. They are both human but just find love in a different way then what's customary. Gays and Lesbians have feelings too and who cares if they're in love with someone their own sex? I think it is very unfair to them that they can't get married just like everyone else.

    Yes balletpics

  • I think this is a Constitutional right so State laws should not supersede this.

    I think this is a Constitutional right since to forbid same-sex marriage is a form of discrimination, so no State should be able to enact any law superseding this right. Science has already shown that 'gayness' is mostly a matter of genes so we can't turn a blind eye to the fact that it is natural, not unnatural or immoral.

    Yes Th4Fire

  • There is no reason for why they shouldn't.

    The only argument that people use to argue against same sex marriage is that it will destroy the sanctity of marriage. Pray tell, how will that happen? Because the bible defines it so? Well guess what, not everyone reads the bible, not everyone is a Christian, and not everyone is religious in any way. It is wrong to bar two people who love each other from getting married because of a ridiculous believe, and at the same time allow people to get hitched for 3 hours in Vegas because they were drunk.

    Yes 4uncLife

  • Yes, I agree that all U.S. states should legally recognize same-sex marriages.

    All states should follow the trend of forward thinking, progressive countries across the world, and legalize same-sex marriage. Same-sex couples should have the same rights and be protected under the law just like heterosexual couples. There is no reason why they should not be recognized - it only helps people in same-sex couples, and it does not harm those in heterosexual marriages. It also protects any children that have same-sex parents. If they are not able to marry, then they are not considered next of kin, which could lead to many awful and heartbreaking situations, and that is completely unfair.

    Yes Lopez111
Voice Your Opinion
No
22% of users

  • States should not have to recognize same-sex marriage, because the Tenth Amendment reserves the states all powers that are not expressly given to the federal government in the Constitution.

    States have the authority to recognize marriages. Because marriage is not specifically mentioned in the U.S. Constitution, the power to oversee and regulate it resides with the state governments. If individual state governments wish to legalize same sex marriage, that is perfectly legal. However, no state should be compelled to do so by another state, or by the federal government. States have a long history regulating marriage. Utah had to abolish plural marriage to join the union. Most states have age requirements and prohibitions against marrying cousins or siblings, and they all have different licensing procedures. Clearly, regulating marriage, especially who can legally enter into it, is solidly within the purview of the individual, sovereign states.

    No MeatyClarence70

  • Each state should decide on its own, through the voices of their people, whether or not to accept same-sex marriage.

    There is no reason why same-sex marriage should be legally mandated in all states. Our nation was founded as a nation of states together to form a whole, with the states still given the authority to make their own laws. If same-sex marriage is simply mandated for all the states, then one of the fundamental purposes of our democratic government will be simply overridden by the will of a minority of people. This is the beginning of the end for a democratic government.

    No MariaR

  • A sin

    Why should all states condone sin, when many states have biblically based laws. The US is already morally corrupt without having any more problems. The Jews want to destroy christianity, so they target christian values. Orthodox Jews hate christianity. They control the media, and use it to destroy western culture.

    No Anonymous

  • Same-sex marriage is morally wrong.

    As stated in the bible it is an abomination for a man to lie with another man as he lies with a woman. Meaning it is defined in the bible that same-sex relationships are wrong. This means that we should not be opening the door for homosexuals to marry.

    No Anonymous
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