Running Head: SAME SEX MARRIAGE

Steve Martin Galicia

Same Sex Marriage
The University of Texas at El Paso

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Same sex couples have been around for as long as humanity, from roman times to
modern times. This form of relationships have been present throughout history, although in
current times they have been suppressed because of religious beliefs of it being morally wrong
and many times because it offends God. Now this has surfaced as a controversial topic in
which not only the same sex couples are confronted and harassed by society. The main problem
in our society is whether or not the marriages should be allowed to under state law. Also as to
take it as far as to involve the church in the process. Another big controversy in the United States
is that whether legalization of the marriage should be a state decision or federal decision; or
should it not even be considered? This question has been answered because the U.S. has come to
the decision that the states should enact these laws. Much of the resistance of the legalization has
come from many of the churches found throughout the United States. This topic is very
controversial there is much of the topic that is being over looked by the average individual and a
closer look should be taken to evaluate it correctly. Before concluding, different points of view
must be taken into consideration before an educated statement is taken to legalize the marriages
or not. Throughout this paper I will be investigating the impacts if any that might occur with the
legalization on same sex marriage. The research will revolve around three main questions such
as: 1) What are the many different points of view on the legalization of same sex marriage
between the United States and Great Britain? 2) Are same sex couples being denied rights in the
United States? And finally 3) Will there be an impact on society with the legalization of same
sex marriage? The purpose of this rhetorical analysis is to compare and contrast the legalization
of same sex marriage and to compare the points of view of same sex marriage from other
countries with the United States. Finally to see what rights, if any, are being denied to the people

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of same sex relationships. After reading of this annotated bibliography the reader should be able
to form his or her own opinion on the subject.
What are the many different points of view on the legalization of same sex marriage
between the United States and Great Britain?
Although same sex marriage has evolved into a very controversial topic throughout the
U.S. many other countries have been exposed to the same disagreements. For example, the
Netherlands where same sex marriage is legal have been much more accepting and easy going in
the process. Another country such as Russia, has inclined to show an increase of conservatism
and shun the thought to a higher extent than that of the United States. Many of the reasons why
different countries have different points of view would come down to the conclusion of the
differences in culture found around the world. Some cultures such as the one found in Great
Britain, accepting the legalization of same sex marriage. The county would even go as far as to
involve the churches into becoming a part of the process of the same sex marriage. Although
there was also much debate and many groups of people against the implementation of same sex
marriage in the country. More than half of the country is expected to receive the newlyweds with
open arms. (Chu, 2014)
Although Great Brittan has come down as a country who is willing to accept same sex
marriage, the United States does not show the same because of many of the bills that have had to
be passed through out recent years in order to protect the same sex couples rights. Yet the society
in the United States have shown discrimination against these individuals. Many of these bills
have been passed because the rights that were being denied to them affected their individual
rights. There are also other bills that seem to focus on protecting same sex couples or individuals
from employers who are discriminating against them for their sexual preference.

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However, the differences from other countries in comparison to the United States are
very different, ranging from acceptance to not being considered the action of even making it a
public discussion. Even though there are countries that are more accepting than the United
States, the U.S. has been showing an incline in acceptance to the legalization of same sex
marriage. In the article How America has changed its mind, the percentage transitions of
acceptance is obvious and can clearly be seen in the United States throughout the last 30 years.
Are same sex couples being denied rights?
In the United States a question that comes up with much debate as to whether or not same
sex couples are being denied their rights. There are two points of view for this question, and
many times the category that is often used is the presentation of bills that have been implemented
to protect their individual rights. The question can go both ways such as same sex couples are not
being denied rights because there have been bills passed in order to protect them.
An example of how couples are being denied their rights would be Hawaii, one could
argue same sex couples are being denied the right to be able to marry because of a court case that
was bought up because Hawaii denied the couple a marriage license. This action that the state
took could be seen as affecting or intervening in their individual rights because, a marriage
license is needed in order for them to marry legally in their corresponding state. (Nelson, 2014)
Another act that can be seen as restricting same sex marriage couples validity of marriage would
be the passing of the Defense of Marriage Act. The defense of marriage act has been established
in order to reject the marriage of a same sex couple when they move to another state. This act
allows states to refuse and reject the marriage that occurred in a different state and also denies
them rights such as the social security benefits that a traditional couple enjoys are being striped
away from same sex marriage couples. (Nelson, 2014)

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The implementation of different is a way to restrict the marriage between same sex
couples, but there are also acts that have been implemented in order to protect them from
inequalities. The other side of the coin is where an individual can come down to the conclusion
that same sex couples ae not being denied rights. In Washington State there has been the
approval of same sex marriage by voter referendum in November 6, 2012. (Nelson, 2014)
Though this statement we can see that same sex couples are actually given rights rather than
restricting them. Another example would be Practically speaking, that means gay couples
legally married under state law now qualify for such federal benefits as Social Security and
veterans' benefits.(Kinkerboker, 2014) These statements have come to show when same sex
couples are legally married in states that allow them to marry they will also benefit the same
rights as a traditional couple.

Will there be an impact with the legalization of same sex marriage?

It is very important to consider this question because it is the root of most debates that
come when discussing the legalization of same sex marriage. There are two sides to the argument
of the legalization of same sex marriage. The majority of the time individuals who are against the
legalization of same sex marriage come from individuals who are in a way associated with the
church. These individuals make claims that the legalization of same sex marriage is seen as
immoral. Whenever one violates the natural moral order established by God, one sins and
offends God. Same-sex marriage does just this. (TFP Student Action, N/A) The individuals
against the legalization of same sex marriage tend to make claims like the one stated above. They
neglect the idea because it is seen as morally wrong and should not be considered because it
brakes the laws of nature. There are other individuals who deny the legalization of same sex

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marriage through different means. Same-sex marriage destroys the integrity of true marriage
by turning traditional marriage into a species within the marriage genus. (TFP Student action,
2009) Statements like these are not against the marriages because it is against God and morality,
but because it changes traditions that have been around for many years.
There are also individuals who say that legalization should be implemented because the
same sex individuals have the right to marry. These individuals tend to be mostly made up of
same sex couples and individuals who see the rejection of same sex couples to marry as
unconstitutional. These individuals have fought for the legalization of same sex marriage and
have been quite successful through the last couple of years. President Obama has also been a
candidate who was unveiling to sign on to the same sex marriage primarily because of my
understandings of the traditional definitions of marriage." (Knikerboker, 2014) Although this
was his point of view, his mind set changed, and has supported the addition of six more states
who have been granting same sex couples with benefits. This shows us both sides to the
argument that is found with the legalization of same sex marriage.
In conclusion, the big question still remains, should same sex marriage be legalized? This
question might not have an answer but after reading the annotated bibliography an individual
should be able to clearly see the differences, both positive and negative, in why or why not same
sex marriage should be legalized. Ultimately the reader can now come down to an educated
conclusion and can make and take his or her position whit the new accumulated knowledge
found in this reading. Though this information the reader becomes educated to a higher level of
the topic in comparison to an average reader, and can also partake in the changes that are being
made in the United States today.

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Abstract
This literature review is intended for the purpose to educate a reader in the topic of same
sex marriage and whether or not it should be legalized in the United States. Through this the
reader will be able to see different points of view on how individuals who are part of the same
sex community are being treated. Also the work revolves around three many questions that drove
the research and the reader should keep these questions in mind throughout the process of
reading. An individual will become familiar with content that isnt normally disclosed in
everyday life and will educate the reader and in the end the reader will be able to come down to
his or her own point of view. After reading this the reader might change his or her way of
thinking on the subject or this reading will reinforce their position.

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References

Chu, H. (2014, March 28) British same-sex marriages to begin Saturday. Los Angeles times.
Retrieved from: http://articles.latimes.com/2014/mar/28/world/la-fg-wn-british-same-sexmarriage-2014032
Kinckerbocker, B. (October 25, 2014). Same-sex marriage gets another big boost from the
Obama administration. The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved from:
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2014/1025/Same-sex-marriage-gets-another-bigboost-from-the-Obama-administration-video
Nelson, L. (2014). Recognition of Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships as Marriages in
Same-Sex Marriage States. Vol. 98 Issue 3, p1171-1209.
TFP Student Action (2014). 10 Reasons Why Homosexual Marriage is Harmful and Must be
Opposed. TFP Student Action. Retrieved from: http://www.tfpstudentaction.org/politicallyincorrect/homosexuality/10-reasons-why-homosexual-marriage-is-harmful-and-must-beopposed.html
TFP Student Action. ( June 01, 2009). Why Gay Marriage is Wrong. TFP Student Action.
Retrieved from : http://www.tfpstudentaction.org/politically-incorrect/homosexuality/answeringtop-10-arguments-used-to-push-homosexuality.htmlStudent