The Controversy of Same-Sex Marriage
Same-sex marriage has been a controversial social issue in the U.S. for several decades, but public opinion on this topic seems to be evolving. For example, an annual poll by Gallup has been tracking the question of whether or not same-sex marriages should be legal since 1968, and the percentage of favorable responses has increased from 27 percent to 53 percent during this time frame. Although this certainly is not a huge majority, it does indicate that the support for same-sex marriage within the U.S. is likely to become increasingly widespread over the next couple of decades. However, there are still several religious and political groups who are opposed to the idea of same-sex marriage. This opposition is typically based on the belief that homosexuality is a sin, but the separation of church and state is supposed to make this viewpoint legally irrelevant.
The Current Status of Same-Sex Marriage
Same-sex marriage is legal in nine states, Washington, D.C. and two Native American tribes. There are also several other states that are considering making same-sex marriage legal, and Illinois is poised to become the next state to take this step. In addition to which, the U.S. Supreme Court is getting ready to hear arguments in a case that will determine whether or not California’s same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional. President Barack Obama declared his support of same-sex marriage in May 2012, and some people believe that this has had a measurable impact on public opinion.
The Argument Against Same-Sex Marriage
Even with all of the social and legal changes that have occurred over the past few decades, there are still millions of people in the U.S. who are fervently opposed to the idea of same-sex marriage. Several members of the Republican Party have based part of their campaign strategy around making an amendment to the