Thesis Statment
Because this country has invoked separation of church and state, same-sex marriage should be allowed under the constitutional right to pursue happiness.
What is a family?
What is the separation of church and state (SCS)? It is a legal and political principle derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits the establishment of a national religion by the Congress or the preference of one religion over another, non-religion over religion, or religion over non-religion. Originally, the First Amendment only applied to the federal government. Subsequently, under the incorporation doctrine, certain selected provisions were applied to states. It was not, however, until the middle and later years of the twentieth century that the Supreme Court began to interpret the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses in such a manner as to restrict the promotion of religion by state governments. Now this may sound like a bunch of mumbo jumbo but in understandable English this states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” Meaning that due to this principle, religion has nothing to do with whether or not we actually allow same sex couples to engage in the act of marriage. Today’s culture is expanding in various ways. Why should anybody hide or be told they are not allowed to do any one thing?
As we all know there are a few celebrities that have no problem with letting the world know that they are homosexual. The list includes but is not limited to such people as Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O’ Donnell, Clay Aiken, Lance Bass, and Melissa Etheridge. Ellen married her life partner Portia de Rossi in the state of California, but due to the Proposition No. 8 their marriage is no longer legal. Rosie married her partner Kelli Carpenter on February 26, 2004 in San Francisco when the Mayor allowed same-sex marriage, but then later on their marriage was no longer legal when all those certificates were voided. Rosie also is a strong activist for allowing homosexual couples to adopt and has quite a few foster and adopted children herself. Clay, who also has a child, announced he was gay in September of 2008. Lance, who declared himself gay in July of 2006, was once part of the band NSYNC. Melissa announced that she was a lesbian in 1993, has had 4 children; two with ex-partner Julie Cypher and two with current wife Tammy Lynn Michaels. Because of the Proposition No. 8, their marriage is no longer legal.
In a recent article in the Advocate Magazine it states there have been a lot of comparisons between gay and African American rights. This article also demonstrated how mass confusion can occur when the information for a major proposition happens during an election. For example: California residents were confused on how to vote for Proposition 8 due to all the excitement over the election. They thought that a vote for the proposition meant that it would allow same-sex marriage and that a vote against was against same-sex marriage when the reverse is how it should have been voted. The article focused more on Proposition No. 8 because the controversy occurred during the election. However, this one little article on one issue shows how much importance homosexual marriage has. It also shows that once we allow same sex marriage then our very last civil rights battle will be over!
We have equal rights for everyone except homosexuals! Why is the issue of homosexual marriage such controversy as long as they are not forcing the issue on anyone? If this country truly believes what the constitution says that everyone has the right to the pursuit of happiness and we have invoked the separation of church and state, then religion should not be able to deny same-sex marriage.
Stef way to go the blog is awesome!
I think that you are very right and the law states that also. So to all of the bible thumpers that have a problem with it need to get over it! When two people are in love if they want to get married let them. I think that it would be interesting to see the divorce stats on gay marriage I think that the rate would be much lower than the 54% that americans are currently at. Mainly because I think that since gay couples have been denied the right that they really take marriage seriously unlike some heterosexual couples.
very good job, it really makes me think about gay rights, my brother is gay and I would love to see him settle down and have a family.
I think you did an awesome job on your blog. I think that everyone has the right to be happy and people should mind their own buisness and not worry about what other people are doing. Good Job Steph!
Only because of my religous background and how i was raised, i do not agree with the lifestyle. But i will not say what is right and wrong. I do not hold anyone of a different lifestyle lower than myself. I look at everyone the same, desregarding race, color, religion, sexual preferences, and personal problems. We are all human and god loves us all. No matter what! I do believe the choice of marriage and children should be left up to each individual.
We can't control who we love, it's an instinct that comes naturally. I don't think anyone including the government should be able to tell anyone who they should love. A house full of love is exactly what our children need, love is not blind to gender and/or race.
Great job on the blog...looks great.
I agree with you. I feel that everyone has a right to be happy. No one has the right to judge anyone else.
You have a good point and love the work photo are nice. when your a kid you do not know whats up there just looking to have a good time we need to be more like them when it come to this...
You did a great job!!! Yeah the pics were a bit of a pain, lol, but you did a great job!!! I totally agree with your thoughts. Someone else should not be able to tell you who you can and cannot marry or have children with. So what it's not "politically correct"....not many things are these days. You are entitled to love who you want reguardless of sex. There are many children is this nation that need a good home and shouldn't be denied that because two people of the same sex want to adopt him/her. I also have very strong opinions on this issue and think our government needs to get their heads out of their butts and just let people be happy and make their own decisions on children and marriage. YOU GO STEF!!!!!
I believe it is a choice and black and whites (racial marriages) never had to fight for their right to get married... white- black- gay it si a choice
I think you should do whatever you want, and no one can control who you can and can't love. It does not matter to me who anybody marries.... Great job!
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