Gay Marriages

1
Gay Marriages

• Casey Miller
• Edu 290
• T 4-7

2
Gay marriages Cant be Denied

• Massachusetts
• State cannot deny gay couple their
• right to marry
• Licenses are not issued to couples
• that question the law.
• 180 days until the decisions takes place
• Decision made November 18, 2003

3
Facts

• Ruling was 4-to-3
• Has become the focus of international
• attention.
• Massachusetts could be 1st state to legalize
• same-sex marriages.

4
The Ruling

• Lawsuit
• Filed by 7 Gay Couples
• E.g. - Gary Chalmers Rich Linnell
• Sued after marriages licenses were denied.
• State that
• Denying same-sex marriages Discrimination.

5
Laws

• Full Faith Credit Clause
• If gays marry in Massachusetts
• Home state have to acknowledge.
• Unless - have Defense of Marriage Act
• Marriage is between Man Woman.
• 37 States have this law

6
Court

• Three Options
• Give marriage licenses to the couples.
• Continue to deny same-sex marriages.
• Bring matter to the legislature.

7
Supreme Court

• Doesnt have a decision yet?!?!
• Hawaii, Alaska Vermont
• Banning gay marriage Unconstitutional
• However
• No American Court has legalized gay
• marriage

8
What People Think

• Pew Research Center for People Press
• 32 favor gay marriage
• 59 oppose the idea
• Grown since July
• 53 opposed gay marriage

9
President Bush

• Considering a ban on gay marriages
• Believes marriage should be between
• a man and a woman
• Constitutional Amendment is not necessary.
• Job of American people to decide
• Not the Massachusetts courts

10
Opinions

• Chief Justice Margaret Marshall
• Marriage brings stability to our society.
• Romney
• Says he would veto gay marriage.
• Bonauto
• Good day for gay lesbian families