FREE ESSAY ON SAME COUPLE MARRIAGE

SAME COUPLE MARRIAGE

The institution of marriage has been around for many years. Times have changed and society
has grown as a whole. The United States has laws that prohibit same-sex marriages or do
not grant them the same privileges as "traditional" marriages. You will see how behind
this great nation has remained. As many countries around the world explore less
traditional ways of life, the United States has been left in the dust. 
In the United States of America laws require that we be treated as equals. Unfortunately,
this does not apply to the laws of same-sex marriages. How can a country that praises
itself on freedom, equal rights, and the pursuits of happiness not allow someone to marry
someone of his or her own choice? This country obviously does not grant equal rights to
its citizens.
We were the first to land on the moon, the first to creat an atomic bomb, and are leaders
in the advancement of technology. How can we be the first in so many fields, but are in
the stoneage on such important issues? 
In 1996 the "Defense of Marriage Act" was signed that prohibits same-sex marriages. How
can a government prohibit a union that two individuals care to join? Many of these laws
relate to the Catholic religion.
We affirm with Pope John Paul II that marriage the institution of the family, is
constituted by the covenant whereby a man and a woman establish between themselves a
partnership of their whole life, and which of its very nature, is ordered to the
well-being of the spouses and to the procreation and upbringing of children. Only such a
union can be recognized and ratified as a marriage in society. Other interpersonal unions
which do not fulfill the above conditions cannot be recognized, despite certain growing
trends which represent the serious threat to the future of the family and of society
itself. (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1601)
Not everyone in America follows the catholic religion. This shows that we need to make
changes. We have the freedom to practice our own religion, but whey should that govern
us?
In Canada the majority of Canadian adults favor gay and lesbian marriages. In British
Columbia where the polygamous marriages of members of a small Mormon splinter group are
known to the government and allowed to exist. Even though, this is a small step, and with
the majority support of many Canadians, Canada's future of giving equal rights to
individuals wanting to participate in same-sex marriages looks bright. Even though, the
federal Canadian government has no plans to either widen the definition of marriage to
include homosexuals, or to create a civil union state with new legislation. Many court
challenges are in progress. 
The Danish government made changes to previous laws covering inheritance and tax laws to
give same-sex couples equality with married couples. This law allows rights that were
granted to married couples such as; inheritance, insurance, pension, social security,
income tax increases or deductions, and unemployment benefits.
In France a same-sex married couple can participate in a national health insurance plan,
the same tax breaks, and the same legal benefits. The government in France has even made
it easier for homosexual couples to adopt children. France has really made an effort to
support same-sex couples by granting them joint tax forms, simultaneous vacations, lower
inheritance taxes, and are even responsible for each other's debt. 
The German government has passed a law, which would allow gay and lesbian couples to
exchange vows at a local government office. They would need to apply to a court for a
divorce. They would receive some of the benefits that are automatically given to
heterosexual married couples -- e.g. inheritance rights and health insurance coverage.
However they are not granted the right to adopt and will not receive the same tax
benefits as heterosexual married couples. 
In Greenland, they have adapted the similar law and open-mindedness as Denmark. The
people in Greenland the law allows rights that were granted to married couples such as;
inheritance, insurance, pension, social security, income tax increases or deductions, and
unemployment benefits to all married couples.
Even in Hungary registered gay and lesbian partnerships now have all of the privileges of
common-law marriages, except for the right to adopt. Even though, they cannot adopt
children, this is great progress and shows the advancement that they have over the United
States.
In Iceland same-sex couples have the right to participate in a civil ceremony which is
recognized by the state. Shared custody of children is permitted if one of the spouses
has a child when they are married. Again, the law does not allow them to adopt children
or practice artificial insemination. This is still a positive stance and will hopefully
evolve to adoption rights. They also do not have the right to a church wedding. Then
again, we do not all get married in a church.
In the Netherlands gay and lesbian couples, who are either citizens of the Netherlands or
who have residency permits, are able to marry and adopt children. This is another example
how how the United States has not evolved in the social issue of same-sex marriages
In Norway, Spain, and Sweden the laws have been identical to those in Denmark and
Greenland. The United States should follow the countries just as many others have.
Bibliography
Areen, Judith. Family Law. Cases and Materials. 4th ed.
New York, New York: Foundation Press. 1999.
"The Loving Decision - (June 12, 1967)" 
Association of Multi Ethnic Americans, Inc. 1992 
http://ameasite.org/loving.asp