Florida and same-sex marriage Essay Example

repealing discriminatory laws in Florida by speaking out against discrimination. This movement has roots dating back to biblical times where it was considered sinful, but societal attitudes towards this lifestyle have significantly changed in recent years. While acceptance of same-sex marriage is gradually increasing, many Americans still struggle with full embrace. Although engaging in immoral sexual acts like homosexuality cannot be legally punished when consenting adults are involved, discouraging such behavior falls within the state's purview as many laws discriminate between heterosexual and homosexual conduct (Corvino, 1997). According to Britannica, homosexuality is commonly defined as sexual attraction and orientation. However, conservative individuals often struggle to accept same-sex relationships.The study of the human experience involves evaluating historical and current human activities to understand human phenomena and predict future developments. In a discussion about custody rights for a child with a lesbian biological mother, Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore ruled that homosexual behavior goes against nature and God's laws on which the state is based. Moore believes it is the state's duty to protect the concept of "family" according to his religious beliefs. Conservative society argues that homosexuality is unnatural because same-sex couples are unable to have children. Bible verses were cited in the final ruling to suggest that homosexuality is immoral. People's religious beliefs play a significant role in shaping their views on sexual morality and influencing their daily lives.

During a Supreme Court case in 2014, Justice Antonin Scalia discussed varying opinions on whether being raised in a homosexual environment has negative effects on children. Some experts argue against negative effects, while others believe studies conducted over thirty years hold more weight than those conducted over

five years. It is impossible for any single study to definitively determine the potential negative impact of children raised by same-sex parents.

In California, approximately 40,000 children are currently being raised by caring and supportive same-sex couples who provide them with emotionally, socially, and cognitively normal upbringings.During the Proposition 8 trial, testimonies revealed research indicating that children raised by same-sex couples are just as well-adjusted as those raised by heterosexual parents. However, acceptance of homosexuality and alternative family structures continues to be a controversial issue among courts, cities, individuals, and governments.

In 1996, the Clinton Administration enacted the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which was later declared unconstitutional and discriminatory due to its denial of legal protections enjoyed by heterosexual couples to same-sex couples. This resulted in more than 1,100 laws safeguarding relationships being denied to same-sex couples, including social security survivor benefits, FMLA rights, and joint tax filing ability.

Since then, various groups have advocated for equal treatment for same-sex marriages at local, state, and national levels. In 2011, President Obama opposed DOMA and expressed support for marriage equality. Gautam Raghavan stated in June 2013 that DOMA treated homosexual and lesbian couples as a separate and lesser category of individuals. It is ironic that Clinton, who once supported DOMA, is now advocating for its repeal.

Despite several Supreme Court cases declaring DOMA unconstitutional, some states still deny same-sex couples any protection or equality. Supporters of DOMA argue that the government should protect the belief that marriage should only be between one man and one woman.In 2003, civil rights lawyer Evan Wolfson launched the "Freedom to marry" campaign, which sparked a global movement against marriage discrimination. The goal of

this campaign is to achieve marriage equality for same-sex couples and ensure their rights and protections. Wolfson's concern stemmed from comments made by Justice Scalia and other justices who disregarded testimony in the initial trial of Proposition 8, California's ban on same-sex marriage.

Back in 1997, Florida passed a law that prohibited any recognition of gay marriage. Then, in 2008, the state added a ban on same-sex marriage to its constitution after receiving 60 percent approval from voters in Central Florida. The campaign for and against Amendment 2 in Florida cost a staggering $74 million dollars, making it the most expensive social-issue campaign in U.S. history (Hamburg, 2008).

The progress towards military equality for same-sex couples was seen as a significant victory for activists. According to Corvino (1997), it is commonly believed that upholding morality is secondary to the responsibilities of parents and non-political voluntary associations when it comes to the state's obligations.

Countries like Holland and Iceland have granted gay couples the right to adopt children, while several European countries have passed laws allowing civil registration of same-sex partnerships. This indicates that European governments are gradually moving towards recognizing same-sex marriage.Opposition to same-sex marriage in the United States is expected to decrease but not completely disappear. As support for same-sex marriage grows nationwide, there is a continued fight for equality by advocating for the repeal of federal anti-gay marriage legislation. In 2012, a civil rights organization collected petitions in Florida, where a record-breaking 74% of signatures supported the freedom to marry. This effort aimed to bring about change during the November 2014 elections. Prior to the ruling in United States v.Windor, various supreme courts had already declared

DOMA unconstitutional. The ruling provided further momentum for PACs in Florida. Justice Kennedy's decision found that DOMA violated the Fifth Amendment and led to six recent federal court rulings invalidating state laws that prohibited same-sex marriage. Discriminatory state laws not only impact gender identity for homosexuals and lesbians but also subject them to subjugation. If the U.S government genuinely values gender equality, it should afford equal protection, benefits, and respect to same-sex couples as it does for opposite-sex couples. Legalizing same-sex marriage is necessary for realizing all the rights outlined in the U.S Constitution. The 14th Amendment ensures equal protection without discrimination based on sexual preference—an issue that has long been controversial and now occupies center stage.Some employers, like Miami Dade County, provide benefits to domestic partners while excluding same-sex marriages. This has led to comparisons with the concept of "separate but equal" in racial segregation, as described by James Anderson. Opponents of legalizing same-sex marriage express concerns about its potential impact on the institution of marriage, similar to the concerns raised during debates about interracial marriage. However, progress in states like Florida requires recognizing that the government and church are separate entities. In Florida, individuals involved in same-sex relationships do not have legal recognition or associated rights and responsibilities. MsBrito, a legal rights advocate, is frustrated by this lack of recognition for people like her. It's disheartening that someone who has been in a committed relationship for 15 years may not be allowed to visit their sick partner in the hospital. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was enacted to uphold the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman. However,

this policy failed to consider its unconstitutional and discriminatory consequences. Although there are arguments supporting DOMA centered around procreation being crucial within marriage, advocates argue that marriage is also intended for raising children regardless of sexual orientation. Additionally, same-sex couples can raise children from previous heterosexual relationships or through alternative methods such as artificial insemination or adoption.
Under current laws, non-biological parents would direct benefits towards children they did not officially adopt. If a child whose non-biological parent did not legally adopt them were to experience something unfortunate, neither the child nor their spouse would have any survivor benefit rights. Children from same-sex marriages do not possess the same rights as those from heterosexual unions. Non-biological parents without a biological parent present are prohibited from entering a doctor's office. Ms.Brito aims to collect signatures for an amendment on same-sex marriage that will be added to the November 2014 ballot. Equality Florida is taking steps to challenge laws against same-sex marriage and believes that passing constitutional amendments is challenging. Instead, their goal is to challenge discriminatory laws based on gender and sexual orientation by arguing that these laws violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Discrimination based on gender does not allow for challenges against polygamy bans. Banning same-sex marriage is considered discriminatory based on sexual orientation, which is also protected under the Equal Protection Clause. The Windsor case ruling established that discrimination against same-sex marriage stems from sexual orientation.Some argue that laws prohibiting same-sex marriage are not unconstitutional because they believe Florida Impact Amendment 2 has had no significant impact.There is an increasing belief that rejecting same-sex love goes against nature, but society undergoes

constant changes without harming the country, such as technological advancements and new products. This raises questions about why the issue of same-sex marriage persists when it has no negative effects on traditional marriages' foundation.

In 1967, Loving vs. Virginia set a precedent when a bi-racial couple's marriage resulted in their expulsion from Virginia for two decades, despite being legally recognized in Washington D.C. However, since then, times have changed significantly and interracial couples are now common and lead happy lives without compromising traditional marriages.

The United States values freedom of choice and believes that the government should not interfere with religious beliefs or decisions regarding marriage. It is recommended that equal rights be granted to same-sex couples who often face discrimination despite being law-abiding citizens. This discrimination puts them at a continuous disadvantage, especially regarding marriage.

Same-sex couples deserve the same affordable rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples as they contribute to taxes just like any other group. Unfortunately, survivor benefits are only available to heterosexual couples even though same-sex couples also contribute taxes towards infrastructure and education.Therefore, it is important for the US government to respect personal beliefs and freedom of religion while ensuring that all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, are entitled to equal rights under the law. Some politicians oppose same-sex marriage based on religious beliefs rather than animosity towards homosexuals, but recognition of same-sex marriage remains contentious within church teachings. It is crucial to consider legal matters impartially and without bias, despite the influence of religion on policies and attitudes towards homosexuality. Legal analysts have suggested that spiritual groups opposing homosexual rights could potentially lose their tax privileges due to their unpopular political views (Hamburg,

2008). Discrimination in any form is unacceptable, and all citizens should have equal rights regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. Denying rights such as hospital trials must be stopped by law. While many places are attempting to change the law regarding same-sex marriage, predicting the outcome of these changes is impossible. The repeal of the DOMA policy is essential as it distinguishes between discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender.Therefore, it is important to pursue marriage equality just as there was public support for racial integration in the past (Corvino, 1997). Information about Alabama's head justice's views on this matter can be found at http://blog.al.com/wire/2014/02/alabama_chief_justice_roy_moor_1.html. For more information on same-sex marriage, visit http://www.freedomtomarry.org/ (Freedom To Marry). On February 12, 2014, there was a telephone interview about the Freedom Act Same Sex Marriage. Vanessa Brito, CEO of Equal Marriage Florida, was featured in an article titled "Frequently Asked Questions: Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)" on GLAAD's website. This article was published by Myami Marketing in June 2009. In November 2008, J. Hamburg wrote an article called "Florida bans cheery matrimony" in Orlando, FL. The book "Ethical motives In practice," edited by H. LaFollette and authored by M. Levin discusses the topic of homosexuality being unnatural without providing specific publication details.Chris Gacek's webpage titled "The Defense of Marriage Act: What It Does and Why It Is Critical for Traditional Marriage in America" offers information about the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).In 2013, Gautam Raghavan shared the Obama Administration's response to the Supreme Court's DOMA ruling on The White House's website. Additionally, D.G.Savage wrote an article titled "Cheery Marriage: Justices' concern surprises experts" in The Charleston

Gazette.