Civil Unions and Gay Marriage

1
Civil Unions and Gay Marriage

• Sydney Cantor

2
Historical Background

• 1951 The first national gay rights organization
  formed
• 1973 Homosexuality is removed off the official
  list of mental disorders
• 1978 Milk begins his term as a member of the San
  Francisco Board of Supervisors by sponsoring a
  civil rights bill that outlaws sexual orientation
  discrimination.
• 1993 The Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy is
  instituted for the U.S. military
• 2000 Vermont becomes the first state in the
  country to legally recognize civil unions
• 2008 California supreme court rules that
  same-sex couples have a constitutional right to
  marry. Six months later, voters approved a ban
  for same-sex marriages, called Proposition 8.

3
Current State

• President Obama signed a referendum in 2009
  allowing the same-sex partners of federal
  employees to receive benefits.
• "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military policy was
  officially repealed
• Six state governments have passed laws offering
  same-sex marriage New York, Massachusetts,
  Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and Hew Hampshire
• In June 2011, New York lawmakers voted to
  legalize same-sex marriage

4
Opposing Viewpoints

• For the Legalization of Same-Sex Marriages
• Denying them is a violation of religious freedom
• Marriage benefits should be available to all
  couples
• Homosexuality is an accepted lifestyle nowadays
  with most evidence strongly supporting biological
  causation
• The number of child adoptions should increase

• Against the Legalization of Same-Sex Marriages
• Most religions consider homosexuality a sin
• It would further weaken the traditional family
  values
• It could provide a slippery slope in the legality
  of marriage
• It confuses children about gender roles and
  expectations of society

5
Obama/Democratic Position

• Against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
• Gay and lesbian couples should have the same
  rights as straight couples
• Consistent advocate for equality

Obama signing the certification ending the Dont
Ask, Dont Tell policy
6
Republican Party Position

• Calls for a constitutional amendment that fully
  protects marriage as a union of a man and a woman
• Believes that a two parent family provides the
  best environment

7
Rick Perrys Position

• Signed the National Organization for Marriages
  Pledge
• In favor of federal constitutional marriage
  amendment
• Must defend the Defense of Marriage Act
• Recently met with some of the most anti-gay
  activists
• Homosexuals are inappropriate role models for
  adolescent boys

8
Mitt Romneys Position

• Pushed vote in MA against gay marriage
• Believes that marriage is a sacred institution
  between a man and a woman
• Supports a gay marriage ban

9
Michele Bachmanns Position

• Children need a mother and father
• Signed the National Organization for Marriages
  pledge
• A former patient from Bachmanns Christian
  counseling clinic was advised to pray away the
  gay