Same-Sex "Marriage"

Argumentative Essay # 4954

English > Argument
Gender and Sexuality > Homosexuality
Hot Topics > Same-Sex Marriage

Same-Sex "Marriage"

This paper is an explanation of a decision of a classroom debate that decided on the legality of gay marriage.

2,700 words () | 18 sources | APA | 2001 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper presents a historical review of the efforts to legalize same-sex marriages. The paper connects the issue to other cases involving marital rights, cases involving discrimination, the connection of marriage to procreation and the legal recognition of same-sex partnerships. The paper analyzes the constitutional standing in the issue of marriage and concludes that there is no reason why gay marriages should be illegal.

From the Paper:

"While most marriage statutes use gender-neutral language, the institution of marriage in modern Western society is generally regarded as extending only to male-female relationships. Same sex relationships, regardless of their duration, are not legally recognized in most countries and, as a result, homosexual partners are denied many of the legal and economic privileges automatically bestowed by marital status. These include employment benefits, the ability to file joint tax returns and -- perhaps most importantly since the advent of AIDS --health benefits and rights arising on the death of a partner, including interstate inheritance."