Stefanie Gasko
2003.3.20
5th hour - Research Writing

Imagine a scene of a loving family with two parents and three children. They eat their meals together, watch family oriented programs on television, and go to baseball games as a whole family. The parents are completely nurturing and supportive of their children. However, the family can never be financially stable and without worries about money for their future. All those problems could be solved by one thing the parents aren't legally allowed to do because they are of the same gender--get married.

There are 1,049 federal benefits offered to married couples plus many more from every state. Certain rights are provided to one's spouse regardless of the existence of a will. More benefits include disability, pension, and social security; all of which are available to the spouses of one who is injured, incapable of living in society by themselves or deceased. Moreover, married couples are entitled to joint health, home, and auto insurance policies. So, many couples who aren't allowed to be married suffer from the lack of benefits.

Financial benefits are not the only kind of benefits available to married persons. Society views marriage as a long-term commitment with love, seriousness, and intimacy. However, many view same-gendered couples as promiscuous and only in the relationship for sexual intercourse. Those who want marriage would like society to see their relationship as stronger than a domestic partnership or gain more respect for their love than a simple commitment ceremony. Therefore, those who are unable to marry do not have either financial or social stability.

America is generally seen as a happy cultural and ethnic melting pot; but for homosexuals, the country is anything but safe and free. Same-sex couples are discriminated against in each day in their workplace, to verbal abuse on the street, up to and including the right to marry even though the Constitution supposedly protects against discrimination. The United States of America will be writing discrimination into the Constitution based on sexual orientation with the proposal of a new amendment. Marriage between two men or between two women would not force anyone to approve against their will but it would be the next step toward full equality and liberty for all. If same-sex marriage is allowed, America could be a true symbol of freedom and equality for the world.

If the family's parents were allowed to marry then they could be all set with their future and their children's futures. They wouldn't have to worry about getting their house taken away because it was in the deceased spouse's name. The children could be covered for with the inheritance and money left by both parents. The parents would be seen as less immoral for engaging in a relationship with each other if they were married. Overall, if same-gendered couples were allowed to marry, many more people could live safe, secure, and happier lives.