...Same-sex Marriage in Mainland China Sun Wenlin, the 26-year-old plaintiff, walked out of the court hand-in-hand with his partner, Hu Mingliang, and said he would appeal. Their case was heard at a court on April 13, 2016, in Furong district, Changsha city, Hunan province. The lawsuit was brought by the couple, who were challenging the decision of a local civil affairs bureau that had denied them the right to marry. The case was dismissed after an open hearing that lasted three hours and was held before an audience of nearly 200 people, including many journalists. It was the first case of its kind in China in which gay people had tested whether same-sex couples have the right to marry. While homosexuality is not illegal in China, same-sex marriage has not yet been explicitly legalized. Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is marriage between people of the same sex, either as a secular civil ceremony or in a religious setting. The Netherlands was the first country to legalize same-sex marriages. Since then, same-sex marriages have been performed in more than 20 countries. Nowadays, in mainland China, no same-sex marriage or civil union is recognized. The Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China explicitly defines marriage as the union between one man and one woman. No other form of civil union is recognized. As early as two decades ago, homosexuality was a taboo subject. However, with social development, Chinese people have become more open-minded about a variety...
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...Jost, Kenneth. “Gay Marriage Showdowns” CQ Researcher, 26 Sept. 2008: 769-92. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. Jost goes into great detail from every perspective on the issue of same sex marriages across the nation. Taking a look into the validation of the arguments that those for it and those against it present. Focusing mainly on the victory California Supreme Court granted by giving same-sex couples the same marriage rights of opposite sex couples. Therefore making it possible for same sex couple’s to get married within the sate of California. But after some much backlash from other states they decided to rectify their decision with the proposal of amendment one. Looking over the facts and figure Jost proved within his article I found his in formation to be extremely supportive of his work. The information provided by Jost helps to put in perspective of how equal rights aren’t equal at all. Kurdek, Lawrence A. ”Are Gay And Lesbian Cohabitating Couples Really Different from Heterosexual Married Couples?” Journal of Marriage and Family, Vol.66, No.4 (Nov., 2004), pp.880 -900 Kurdek compares the daily lives and home environments of heterosexual married couples to those of homosexual cohabitating couples to identify if there are any similarities. Once Kurdek began go in to the homes of his participating families and observe the daily lives of homosexual and heterosexual families Kurdek noticed a great deal of similarity within each household. A few of the key things...
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...ESL 1060-005 Junjie Huang (Tiya) Argument Paper 3rd Draft 11/15/2012 “Rainbow” Is Beautiful Recently, there is a popular status on Facebook and Twitter saying that a Chinese man and an English man get married and both of them are very handsome. They got a number of benedictions but some people felt it was unbelievable and disgusting. Same-sex marriage has been one of the most debated and controversial arguments in these recent years. Gay marriage is meaning that two same-sex people get married instead of a man and a woman gets married. As time goes by, more and more people are open-minded and accept gay marriage. However, there are still a number of people who cannot agree with gay marriage and even hate it. In the United States, some states have already legalized gay marriage but most states haven’t yet. Gay marriage should be legalized in the United States because homosexual love is a normal phenomenon, everyone has his own right to choose his marriage partner, and gay marriage legalization is good for the United States becoming a more democratic country. Traditional people think that a man should get married with a woman but should not get married with a man. Homosexual love is different from straight love. Because homosexual is different, people consider it a mental illness. Actually, homosexual love is a normal phenomenon. It has been proved that homosexual love is not mental illness. A gay’s gene distinguishes them from normal people’s gene and homosexual love...
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...Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 22:165–182, 2010 Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 1053-8720 print / 1540-4056 online DOI: 10.1080/10538720903332578 Advocacy Coalitions and Punctuated Equilibrium in the Same-Sex Marriage Debate: Learning from Pro-LGBT Policy Changes in Minneapolis and Minnesota LAKE DZIENGEL St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota Policy change to actualize same-sex marriage requires planning and practices that can be most effective to advance marriage equality. This case study examines how building and maintaining strong coalitions aided in attainment and preservation of civil rights and protections for same-sex couples in Minnesota. As a historical policy analysis, it dissects collaborative strategies and events that led to a municipal domestic partner ordinance and state civil rights protections for sexual minorities in Minnesota during 1983–1995. Viewed through the lens of Advocacy Coalition Framework and Punctuated Equilibrium theory, findings support and highlight the importance of strategic planning of developing capable leaders, building strong coalitions, and capitalizing on events to garner public support and advance public policy toward civil rights protections and legal recognition for same-sex couples. KEYWORDS advocacy coalitions, punctuated equilibrium, policy, lesbian, gay, domestic partner benefits INTRODUCTION The city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a large urban community, passed a Domestic Partner Ordinance...
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...Should Same-sex Marriages be Legalized? Kristina Linthicum PHI 200: Mind and Machine Instructor Michele Clearman-Warner May 5, 2011 Should Same-sex Marriages be Legalized? In recent news articles, it is being said that the legalization of same-sex marriages is imminent. But the biggest debate about the issue is should it be legalized? While there are many points that are for and against the issue, one thing remains. This is a legal issue on whether the law should be changed. When deciding whether a law should be changed, it should be viewed in a legal manner. Here is why same-sex marriages should be legalized in the United States of America. Part I: Thesis The United States of America was based on freedom. While each freedom was not spelled out in the constitution, it is something that can not be refuted. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines to marry as “to take a spouse or to unite in close and usually permanent relations” (Definition 2). While it is socially more accepted now than ever for same-sex couples to live together and even have children together, why are they being held back in receiving the freedom and benefits every opposite-sex couples receive? The right to be able to marry should be equal whether in same-sex couples or opposite-sex couples. Finkelstein (2011) points out that “marriage strengthens commitment between couples and therefore brings stability into the lives of those who enter in it”. If same-sex couples are able to cohabitate...
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...Social Issue: GAY RIGHTS Gay Rights in America Prof. Johnson March 2, 2008 “Each individual’s journey through life is unique. Some will make this journey alone, others in loving relationships – maybe in marriage or other forms of commitment. We need to ponder our own choices and try to understand the choices of others. Love has many shapes and colors and is not finite. It can not be measured or defined in terms of sexual orientation.” From the Statement of Affirmation and Reconciliation by the Quaker meeting in Aotearoa. Homosexuality - having a sexual attraction to persons of the same sex. People argue with respect to the definition of homosexuality. The (Gay & Lesbian Alliance against Defamation [GLAAD], 1994-2008) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The argument of legalizing same sex marriages has always sparked controversy among lawmakers. Being gay and loving someone is not illegal. What is illegal is the right to marriage being denied to legally consenting gay couples. As of February 2007, Massachusetts is the only state in which committed gay and lesbian couples can marry. California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, and Vermont each grant varying levels...
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...Same Sex Marriage? Ban Same Sex Marriage The Ultimate web site providing information on the issues. We should be anti-gay marriage, and should ban gay same sex marriages and such practices. Pro-Family Groups in Connecticut Rally Voters to Overturn Court's Gay 'Marriage' Ruling" Pro-family activists in Connecticut are urging the people of the state to vote yes for a constitution convention when they head for the polls on Nov. 4. Though the 4-3 split decision by the Connecticut Supreme Court on Friday effectively redefined marriage in the state, Connecticuters will have the opportunity to have the final say if enough voters rally behind a call for the state legislature to convene a state constitution convention. Every twenty years, under the state constitution, the ballot question "Shall there be a Constitutional Convention to amend or revise the Constitution of the state?" is placed on the ballot for consideration. This year marks Connecticut's 220th since its admission to the Union in 1788. The Court's willingness to undemocratically impose same-sex marriage on Connecticut has made it necessary for us to demand the right to Let the People Decide, expressed Peter Wolfgang, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut (FIC), in a press release following Friday's high court decision. And that is why thousands of us will vote 'yes' for a constitutional convention on November 4th." If enough votes are found to favor a convention, it will be incumbent...
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...was involved was that women were always seen to have certain responsibility. Men believed that caring for the children was to be their only role that was considered appropriate for females. The women was seen as a substandard when they contributed to legislations but, males were always seen to be the strong ones and their thinking’s that without man we would not be anywhere. Suffrage is known as, the right or opportunity of electing and is often combined among the rights of residency. Nevertheless, not all individuals in the United States are automatically allowed the privilege of citizenship, not all citizens are evenly capable with the right to vote. Throughout U.S. history, many individuals were refused suffrage established upon race, sex, age, and salary. The nonexistence of widespread suffrage traditionally stemmed in a landslide of debates, disputes and encouragement for political improvement. However, in the widest sense, suffrage movement signifies the struggle by all individuals to gain voting rights. “The period is perceived to be identical with the woman's suffrage movement, which came from the fight for women's rights (Weatherford 1998)”. This maybe due to the fact that woman's suffrage movement was more than a 72 year long fight that remained established in the abolishment of slavery...
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...Gay marriage has become one of the hottest issues in politics. Supporters of gay marriage have compared their struggle for equality to an era when African- Americans were denied their right to vote, some have even argued that to be denied of your right to marry is also a direct violation of your civil rights. Non supporters of gay marriage beliefs are based more from a religious stand point as well personal values. With homosexuality being seen by a vast majority as being immoral and sinful, the biggest argument to date is that many people feel by allowing gay marriage to take place that this will weaken the institution of marriage and family values. On September 21, 1996 both houses of Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA a federal law which defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman. This law, signed by then President Bill Clinton denies the rights of same-sex couples to marry. Not only does this law prevent same-sex couples to marry, it also denies these men and women certain monetary benefits such as public employee benefits, social security survivors, government employee benefits. “Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsburg recently suggested at a University of Colorado interview that the Supreme Court could likely decide soon whether the law that bars federal recognition of same –sex marriage is constitutional” (Voorhees, 2012). Today a hotly debated question rages on in the United States, should the institution of marriage be...
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...[pic] A prime illustration of how stereotypes promote ignorance. In my generation (Generation X), a bi-racial marriage is normal to me and I don’t think less of anyone in a bi-racial relationship. Which is why in reading the first box only, I could easily find myself wondering, “Whom in the world is he taking about?” By the second box I could be extremely curious and by the third I’m thinking this is ridiculous. Then by the time the punch line is delivered in the fourth box, I understand. Not only do I understand the joke and realize it’s a pun for gay marriage, but I also realize just how similar these thoughts ran through the minds of generations before me when those of the opposite race became involved in a relationship. There are similarities in the prejudice that exists nowadays in those who oppose gay marriage, or even civil unions and those compared to those who opposed miscegenation prior to the civil war. [pic] 2007 Movie, “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” Brooklyn firefighters Larry Valentine (Kevin James) and Chuck Levine (Adam Sandler) have watched each other's back since they met in the Academy even though they are different as can be. Playboy Chuck can't get enough of the ladies and they can't get enough of him. Larry, meanwhile, is a widower raising two young children and still grieving the death of his wife. When Larry saves Chuck's life on a call, he comes up with a unique way for his buddy to repay him: having missed the...
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......................................................................................................................3 - 4 C. Issues..................................................................................................................................4 - 8 i. LGBT parenting..........................................................................4 ii. Adoption.....................................................................................4 - 5 iii. Surrogacy and fertility treatment................................................5 iv. Organizations..............................................................................5 - 8 v. Health..........................................................................................8 - 9 D. History..............................................................................................................................9 - 11 i. Ancient........................................................................................9 - 11 ii. Modern........................................................................................11 E. 10 Reasons Why Homosexual “Marriage” is Harmful and Must be Opposed.................11 - 17 F. Reasons to Legalize Same Sex Marriage..........................................................................17 - 18 G. Same Sex Marriage in the...
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...Table of Contents · Introduction · Homosexual Marriages Should Have the Same Rights as Heterosexual Marriages. · Comparisons to Other Countries · Europe · Africa · Background · First Argument with Gay Marriage · Changes in the Ability to Get Married · Hate Crimes · Identification of Policy Alternatives · Legalizing Gay Marriage Amongst All States · Legalizing Gay Marriage Amongst All States, but Naming it “Civil Unions” · Legalizing Gay Marriage/Civil Unions Against Some States, Recognizing it in All · Recommendation · References INTRODUCTION: Same Sex Marriages Having Same Rights as Heterosexual Marriages Gay marriage has been an active debate amongst politicians, religious figures, and the public. The debate has spanned over a decade with little change for either side. The issue of gay marriage is not just about the name of what the union is called, but the right to be able to legally join as homosexual couples with the same rights as heterosexual couples. Reasons for someone to be in favor of this topic are that there should be a separation of religion and politics, it deprives homosexuals of their natural rights, and this issue has escalated to violent hate crimes towards homosexuals. As it stands, currently 9 million adults are homosexuals, representing 4 percent of the 18 and over population in the United States with no signs of diminishing. Public administrators have done little...
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...religious beliefs that may or may not be factual and were written approximately 2,500 years ago, an uprising would surely come about. If nine million people here in our very own country were told that they were not worthy of being wed today because of the verbiage within a document that was written by wealthy white men in the late 18th Century, what would we do? In the United States alone, it is estimated that nearly nine million people consider themselves gay or lesbian--equivalent to the populations in the above mentioned scenarios (Gates, 2011). So why is it that nearly fifty years after the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, the gay and lesbian community is bearing the brunt of such inequality? In the 1930’s, approximately the same number of Jews in Europe were targeted as an inferior class and we are all well-aware of the atrocities that resulted shortly thereafter (Jewish Virtual Library, 1997). While comparing the Holocaust to the rights of the gay and lesbian community in America is undoubtedly a stretch, it should at least open one’s eyes to the wide-spread nature of the injustice that is occurring in our very own country as we speak. All of us here in the United States have grown up believing that we live in a “free” country--one where democracy reigns and justice prevails. We have been taught this since our earliest days in the classroom. But what if we step outside the box for a moment? The founders of our fledgling nation had these thoughts in mind as...
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...Same-sex marriage: The many sides of legalization SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: THE MANY SIDES OF LEGALIZATION There is no doubt that the family is a vital social unit and that it is impressed with great social interest. For these two reasons alone, it is only justified that the preservation of families should be of paramount importance to the government. The government, therefore, must create laws and institute policies that will promote the welfare of families. It should see to it that families are kept away from all social evils that tend to destroy their foundation. At the heart of families, it is said, is the concept of marriage. If families are to be protected, it stands to reason that marriage should likewise be safeguarded. This begs the question: what should marriage be shielded from? One concern is the prospect of legalizing same-sex marriage. If same-sex marriage is finally legalized, it is said that it will initiate the decline of families. For one, it is said to gravely distort prevailing notions about parenthood. For another, it is against religious teachings. However, proponents of same-sex marriage counter the point by saying that same-sex marriage is beneficial to the concept of family since marriage will no longer be confined within repressive gender constructs. Same-sex couples will now be given the chance to raise their own family, adopting their own children or finding surrogate mothers or sperm donors if they choose to have their own kids. In the end, same-sex...
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...Gay Marriage Nearly seventy percent of people in the U.S. oppose gay marriage, almost the same proportion as are otherwise supportive of gay rights. This means that many of the same people who are even passionately in favor of gay rights oppose gays on this one issue. Because there is a lot of misunderstanding about what homosexuality really is, as well as the erroneous assumption that gay people enjoy the same civil rights protections as everyone else. There are also a lot of stereotypes about gay relationships, and even a great deal of misunderstanding of what marriage itself is all about. The purpose of this essay is to clear up a few of these misunderstandings and discuss some of facts surrounding gay relationships and marriage, gay and straight. Stereotype has it that gays are promiscuous, unable to form lasting relationships, and the relationships that do form are shallow and uncommitted. As gays age and mature, just like their straight men, they begin to appreciate and find their way into long-term committed relationships. The values that gay couples show in their daily lives are sometimes even better from their straight neighbors. They're loyal to their mates, and are devoted partners. They value and participate in family life, are committed to making their neighborhoods and communities safer and better places to live. A benefit of gay marriage is the fact that the commitment of marriage means the partners are less likely to have casual...
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