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Gay Marriage - Who should determine its legal status?by Robert ParkerMassachusetts first state to recognize same-sex marriageIn response to a suit brought before it, the Supreme Court of the State of Massachusetts recently ruled that, under that state’s constitution, marriage between couples of the same sex cannot be prohibited, and is therefore legal. While this issue had been simmering for some time, this ruling put it on the national front burner. While the Massachusetts State Legislature is currently debating legislation proposed by both those in support of and those in opposition to same-sex marriages, homosexual civil unions, and various other similar descriptive terms, the government has begun officially accepting license applications for such unions.
A constitutional amendment proposalThese types of unions are still considered illegal in most states, although there is no current federal law governing the issue. However, President Bush has strongly indicated that his administration is considering sponsoring a constitutional amendment which would ban gay marriage, although information to date indicates that such an amendment might allow for homosexual unions which did not carry the status of marriage.
Deep cultural divisionsCulturally, the concept of gay marriage or same sex unions is offensive to most political and religious conservatives. They argue that it contradicts 2,000 years of tradition that considers marriage as strictly a man-woman arrangement. Conservatives also present the argument that legalizing gay marriage entitles the participants to civic and financial benefits (i.e. spousal health insurance coverage, etc) which they traditionally have not had. Those in support of same-sex unions see it as a civil rights issue, arguing that laws –both state and federal – should be applied equally to all citizens, including laws which recognize marriage.
Would you support or oppose a Constitutional amendment which would define marriage as the legal union solely between a man and a woman?
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