Wednesday, June 27, 2012
President Obama on Same-Sex Marriage
President
Obama believes in equal rights for same-sex couples. He called for the repeal
of the Defense of Marriage Act, calling it unconstitutional (“The President’s
Record on Equal Rights”). The Defense of Marriage Act was passed in 1996 and
said that if same-sex marriage is legal in one state other states do not have
to recognize the marriage. The act also defines a marriage as “the legal union
between one man and one woman” (Savage). President Obama called the Defense of
Marriage Act unconstitutional because same-sex couples were being denied
federal benefits equal to those of heterosexual couples (Savage). President Obama and his administration were also
“the first to provide hospital visitation and medical decision-making rights to
same-sex couples” (“The President’s Record on Equal Rights”). In May of 2012,
President Obama confirmed in an interview with ABC News, “…for me personally it
is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should
be able to get married” (Klein).
Video retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vTRrDLJXu8&feature=player_embedded
Video retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qecdYEAby5I
Works
Cited
Klein, Rick. “President Obama Affirms His Support for Same Sex Marriage.” Yahoo.com. ABC News, 9 May 2012. Web. 27 Jun. 2012. < http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/president-obama-affirms-his-support-for-same-sex-marriage.html>
Savage, David G. “Federal appeals court rules Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.” LATimes.com. Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2012. Web. 27 Jun. 2012. < http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/31/news/la-pn-doma-appeals-court-20120531>
“The President’s Record on Equal Rights.” BarackObama.com. Obama for America, n.d. Web. 27 Jun. 2012. < http://www.barackobama.com/record/equal-rights?source=primary-nav>
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Where is same-sex marriage legal in the United States?
As
of today, same-sex marriage is legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa,
Vermont, New Hampshire, Washington D.C., and New York. Legislation has been
passed that legalizes gay marriage in Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington, but
it has not yet come into effect (“States”).
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| Photo retrieved from: http://www.freedomtomarry.org/states |
Works
Cited
“States.” Freedomtomarry.org. Freedom To Marry, 9
May 2012. Web. 25 Jun. 2012.
< http://www.freedomtomarry.org/states>
Monday, June 25, 2012
Goodridge v. Department of Public Health
Same-sex
marriage was first legalized in Massachusetts. This ruling was the result of
the court case Goodridge et. al. v. Dept. Public Health. Seven same-sex couples
in Massachusetts were not granted marriage licenses and these couples became the
plaintiffs in the historic case (“Goodridge v. Department of Public Health
Background Information”). Among the plaintiffs were Julie and Hillary
Goodridge. Julie and Hillary experienced firsthand the unequal treatment of
same-sex couples. When their daughter Anna was born in 1995, Hillary was not
allowed to go to the Intensive Care Unit to visit her after Julie’s difficult
delivery (Schindehette). This was one of the reasons that motivated them to
pursue the fight for equal rights for same-sex couples.
The
Goodridge’s and the other plaintiffs were represented by GLAD, Gay &
Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (“Goodridge v. Department of Public Health
Background Information.”). GLAD argued that the Constitution guarantees all
citizens the right to be treated equally. Denying same-sex couples the right to
marry denies them their equal rights to the protections guaranteed to couples
and families by marriage (“Goodridge v. Department of Public Health Background
Information.”). The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decided on November
18, 2003 that same-sex couples have the right to marry. The court, which
reached the decision 4-3 (“Goodridge et al. v. Dept. Public Health”), stated, “[E]xtending
civil marriage to same-sex couples reinforces the importance of marriage to
individuals and communities. That same-sex couples are willing to embrace
marriage’s solemn obligations of exclusivity, mutual support, and commitment to
one another is a testament to the enduring place of marriage in our laws and in
the human spirit” (“Goodridge v. Department of Public Health Background
Information”).
After 17 years together, Julie and Hillary
Goodridge legally married on May 17, 2004. Their wedding was one of the first
and many same-sex marriages that took place following the decision made by the
court (Schindehette).
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| Photo retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/03/julie-hillary-goodridge-t_n_163721.html |
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| Photo retrieved from: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/THE-BATTLE-OVER-SAME-SEX-MARRIAGE-Divorcing-gay-2469202.php |
Works
Cited
“Goodridge et al. v.
Dept. Public Health.” Glad.org. Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, n.d.
Web. 25 Jun. 2012. < http://www.glad.org/work/cases/goodridge-et-al-v-dept-public- health/>
“Goodridge v.
Department of Public Health Background Information.” Glad.org. Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, n.d. Web. 25 Jun. 2012. <http://www.glad.org/work/cases/goodridge-faq/>
Schindehette,
Susan. “Here Come the Brides.” People.com.
People, 31 May 2004. Web 25 Jun. 2012. <http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20150204,00.html>
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