More than just a marriage

Stephanie Reynolds

 Even as they celebrate epic victories in the push for marriage equality, gay-rights activists acknowledge that other difficult issues remain that are infringements of human rights. The struggles to expand transgender rights, and the striking fact that even in some states allowing same-sex marriage, people can lose their job for being gay. As stated in the New York post.

For many activists, the top priority after marriage is federal legislation that would outlaw a broad range of discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people. There’s no such federal law now, and more than half the states do not ban discrimination by employers or public accommodations based on sexual orientation. So even though they have the legal right to marry the laws don’t affect their employers or other public places of business.  That means I could be fired from work if my employers found out I was married to the same sex.  Or if my same sex wife and I want to have a romantic dinner at a restaurant they have the right to turn us away. Letting these laws stay in place makes the fight for legal marriage seem without cause , if they still will be discriminated against in their day to day lives.    

“There’s absolutely no good reason — if you can get married — why you should be denied a hotel room or a job,” said Fred Sainz, a vice president of the Human Rights Campaign. “There will be a fair number of states where you can get married and be fired the same day for having gotten married.”

 The number of gay-marriage states – previously 19 – is expected to nearly double soon, and continue growing toward what many Americans now assume is inevitable expansion to all 50 states. With this expansion federal courts should also make a blanket law prohibiting any company, or establishment from discriminating against same sex couples.

Crary,David, Associated Press, National Post, Same-sex marriage only one battle: Gay-rights activists prep for the next issues on their agenda, web. 11, October 2014

Split decision

Stephanie Reynolds

The Republicans have split into three camps, according to Fox News Latino.  When most if not all Republicans didn't back gay marriage in the beginning.  What's a Republican to do? 

To start off some have chosen to endorse same sex marriage, I believe solely for selfish purposes. Recently some member's of congress that are openly gay have pushed for the change in hopes that they can benefit from getting rid of the bans on same sex marriage so they can to be married in the state of their choice.  In Massachusetts Republican  Richard Tiesi has even gone so far as to run ads featuring himself and his husband as did Carl Demaio of California. This is something that in the past Republicans wouldn't let by.

On the other hand you still have those who want the bans to stay in place.  Even though it is a violation of human rights to marry.  They are seeking to protects state laws on banning same sex marriage. Which in the past few weeks seems to be worthless, because of the three new states that have just been struck down, making these adhere to the constitutional right to marry.

Then there's the fence riders. They truly don't approve of same sex marriage but are more concerned with their political careers than what's right.  With a good amount of Republicans in congress under 30 they don't won't to rock the boat, because some are up for re-election and a possible run for president in the future weighs heavily on their opinions about same sex marriage.

This coming Monday may be the day to put the baby to bed.  The supreme court is set to rule that gays and lesbians in all 50 states have a constitutional right to marry. I believe should never  have had to be an issue, if we were upholding the constitution in the first place.




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"Right to Marry." NYTimes.com Video Collection 2013. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.

Fox ten news Latino, "Ted Cruz GOP politicians splintered into three camps over gay marriage debate", web. 5 October 2014.

Will Arizona be next

Stephanie Reynolds

Arizona may be next to abolish the ban on same sex marriage.  It was the talk all weekend after Nevada and Idaho was ordered by higher courts to lift their bans.  As you know Arizona is a strong Republican state who stands firm on their ban on same sex marriage.  There has been talks that the higher courts are not even willing to hear anymore cases from the states.  It's becoming more and more clear that pretty soon the entire United States of America will be free from all bans on same sex marriage.
Some say the supreme court should stay out of state business as quoted to CNN "Today's decision by the Supreme Court leaves in force five favorable marriage rulings reached in three federal appellate courts, ensuring the freedom to marry for millions more Americans around the country," said Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry."But we are one country, with one Constitution, and the court's delay in affirming the freedom to marry nationwide prolongs the patchwork of state-to-state discrimination and the harms and indignity that the denial of marriage still inflicts on too many couples in too many places." 
With that being said when we drag our feet on this issue in particular we're only violating their human rights to marry.  I can't say this enough we have to keep personal non- constitutional ways of thinking out of this matter.  Making the remaining states wait and go through higher courts is just wrong.  It's being established over and over that whether heterosexual or same sex we should be afforded the same rights to marriage.  You can't make a choice for someone on who they love and want to spend the rest of their lives with, it's right and against the law in several states. 
In the past week we started with just eighteen states with legalized marriages for all, and three more have been added, as reported by the Washington post. This is a lot of progress in the steps to finally lift the ban on same sex marriages country wide. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL3IIkPJfg8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff3CyRos8-A

Fantz ,Ashley and Mears, Bill CNN, high court refuses to rule ad gives tatic victory on same sex marriage, web. 6 October 2014.
Barnes, Robert, Washington Post, Opposing Viewpoints in context SMCC, supreme court gives the go ahead to same sex marriages  in Idaho, web. 10 October 2014.

Then came Nevada and Idaho

Stephanie Reynolds

As of today October, 2014  Idaho and Nevada ban on same sex marriage has been shot down by Federal  court.  They have cited that banning these marriages are violating their human rights. How many more wasted hours and money will these states that have yet to lift the ban on same sex marriages? It's becoming quite clear that it's a no win situation for these hold out states.
We as Americans need to realize there are some battles not worth fighting.  When we see state after state losing the fight, we must take a step back and let the law of the land do it's job. We are putting caring loving people through so much emotional and financial distress just to be recognized, and afforded the same rights as heterosexual couples.  Having to move to a state that recognizes your union can be a heavy burden, just to have your rights as a human being upheld.  Many cannot afford such drastic changes and therefore continue to live an incomplete life without having the joy of marriage.  I may self foresee within the near future more states not waiting for the Federal courts to have to tell them to lift the bans, but they will follow the law and give everyone their equal rights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib3cyrbyI7w

It's official

Stephanie Reynolds

Yes it's official in Minnesota.  During the wee hours of morning on August 1, 2013, more than one hundred same sex couples were happily married.  This was all due to a shortfall of 75,000  that would halt  same sex marriage.  The couples were issued marriage license a few months prior, making an historical event.

Same-sex couples can now marry in 13 states and in Washington, D.C. The national gay rights group Freedom to Marry estimates 30 percent of the U.S. population now lives in places where gay marriage is legal.  Many of the couples that day were delighted as they should be by being some of the first couples married that day .  An official marriage means the world to so may who are still being discriminated against in other states.

This historic event also lets other states who don't allow same sex marriage a glimpse of whats to come.  With major cities embracing same sex marriage, and giving all the legal rights as heterosexual couples  were coming that much closer to a gender neutral country.  This would certainly show equal rights for all in regards to same sex marriage.http://www.twincities.com/life/ci_23773382/gay-marriages-underway-minnesota 

Belden, Doug, Corona, Marecella, Pioneer Press, Gay Marriage: more than 100 weddings held Thursday in Minnesota, TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press, web. 31, July 2013.

The Feds are coming

Stephanie Reynolds

I feel a change coming, and whether you like it or not same sex marriage is happening as we speak.  In recent months several states have been shot down by the federal government in regards to same sex marriage.  Over and over again the courts are telling us that it is infringing on the rights of same sex couples.  This is causing strife between state and federal courts.  All unnecessary, due to the fact that a higher court has gave the go ahead to issue license, and grant the marriage as legal and binding.  Judge Paul Kelley wrote "We should resist the temptation to become philosopher-kings, imposing our views under the guise of the 14th Amendment."  We as Americans continue to express our views and religious opinions without taking in to account the law.  In essence the state is breaking the law by not allowing same sex couples their legal right to marry.  As stated several times in the Huffington Post.

Even now with more exposer and understanding another change that is happening is the church acknowledging same sex couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, based in Salt Lake City, said it maintains marriage should be between a man and a woman, but believes "all people should be treated with respect." This is coming from a very religious state who has banned same sex marriage, but agrees there is a violation in rights when it comes to same sex marriage.

 

Riccardi, Nicholas, and McCombs, Brady, Huffington Post,” Federal court rules that gay couples have the constitutional right to marry “,Huffingtonpost.com,web. 25 June 2014.

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/25/gay-marriage-ruling_n_5531670.html

Divorce and the same sex couple

Stephanie Reynolds

Divorce and the unhappily married same sex couple.  They’ve tried everything to try and make it work.  Counseling, advice from friends and family but now they just want out.

In an article from the Christian Science Monitor, same sex couples not only have to fight for the right to marry but in some states that don’t recognize same sex marriages they have to fight for the right to divorce.  Apparently if you and your same sex spouse are married in a state that doesn’t recognize your marriage, and you chose to move to a state that does not, you may not be granted a divorce.  This problem can become very bothersome, time consuming and very expensive.
  

As noted in this article the couple in question has moved to Mississippi a state which doesn’t recognize same sex marriage and has a ban on same sex marriage.  They were married in California and now wish to divorce.  The couple has incurred a lot of expenses trying to get divorced, which most heterosexual couples do not.  Because the state won’t grant the divorce the have to travel to the state where the marriage took place.  Only to be informed that they have to be legal residents to have the divorce granted.  I don’t know about you but I just can’t pick up and move leave my job and everything I own just to get a divorce.  Czekala-Chatham states “why should I be treated differently, when there’s a courthouse right up the street.  I should be able to go there and get a divorce.”  I believe if your marriage is legal in one state, and you choose to divorce and have moved to another state, the same rights you had there should be upheld where ever you choose to live.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2014/0904/Gay-marriage-bans-in-Wisconsin-Indiana-struck-down-as-unconstitutional-video

                                                                     Work cited

Crary, David, Associated press, Mohr, Holbrook, Associated press, “Same sex couples fight for right to divorce”, www.csmonitor.com, web.1 December 2013.