Why prohibit gay marriage

To LGBTQ groups, the generational gap and growing support across the board reinforced the belief that same-sex marriage rights at all levels of government were inevitable, especially as younger generations became increasingly involved in politics. And as the Supreme Court considered whether to legalize same-sex marriage across the US, the growing support showed that the country was ready for a ruling in favor of marriage equality.

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By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Ludovic Bertron. Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. Same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states In , same-sex marriage was legal in just one state.

The strongest argument for same-sex marriage: equal rights for same-sex couples Supporters of same-sex marriage argued that prohibiting gay and lesbian couples from marrying is inherently discriminatory and therefore violates the US Constitution's 14th Amendment. The strongest argument against same-sex marriage: traditional marriage is in the public interest Opponents of same-sex marriage argued that it's in the public interest for states to encourage heterosexual relationships through traditional marriage policies.

The Supreme Court previously struck down the federal ban on same-sex marriages The Supreme Court previously struck down the federal ban on same-sex marriages, deeming it unconstitutional.

The institution of marriage has changed in the past The role of marriage has widely varied from civilization to civilization and era to era throughout human history.

Marriage provides many benefits to same-sex couples Government recognition of marriage comes with many benefits, such as potentially lower taxes and the ability to make important medical decisions for a spouse. Here are nine of the many benefits to marriage: Married couples can file taxes jointly. In some cases, particularly those where only one spouse is working, this can significantly lower a couple's taxes. The Tax Policy Center provides a calculator for marriage benefits and penalties here.

If someone in the marriage dies, the remaining spouse can inherit the partner's estate — stockpiled wealth, investments, and property, as a few examples — without paying an estate or gift tax. Married partners are allowed to make important medical decisions for their spouses. So a spouse can make choices about medical treatments for an incapacitated husband or wife unable to make his or her own decisions. Employers sometimes provide family benefits exclusively to married couples. This limitation can prevent unmarried employees, even those in same-sex relationships who want to get married but legally can't, from applying for employer-provided family health plans or taking a family leave to take care of a sick spouse.

In case of death, a spouse can make burial or other final arrangements with the body. No one technically owns a body, but spouses are generally given legal first rights for deciding what happens with a corpse. The divorce process helps to ensure a fair division of assets and resolution of custody disputes when a married couple separates.

Married couples can apply for family rates for health insurance plans, both in the private individual market and on the Obamacare exchanges. On the exchanges in particular, low- to middle-income married couples can jointly apply for federal tax credits to help pay their premiums. The government can't force married spouses to disclose confidential information privately discussed during a marriage.

On one hand, gay-rights advocates are now pushing for court victories in California and Connecticut. Meanwhile, opponents are looking to the November election, seeking to have constitutional gay-marriage bans placed on the ballot in as many as 10 states, including Arizona and Indiana.

No one knows how these various efforts will ultimately end. Fresh data delivered Saturday mornings. It organizes the public into nine distinct groups, based on an analysis of their attitudes and values. Even in a polarized era, the survey reveals deep divisions in both partisan coalitions. Use this tool to compare the groups on some key topics and their demographics. Pew Research Center now uses as the last birth year for Millennials in our work.

President Michael Dimock explains why. About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions.

It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. Newsletters Donate My Account. Research Topics. Sign up for our weekly newsletter Fresh data delivered Saturday mornings.

Follow Us. Gay Marriage and the Law The constitutional dimensions of the same-sex marriage debate. A Stable Majority Americans continue to oppose gay marriage, but most support civil unions. Map: State Policies on Same-Sex Marriage Maps showing state laws on gay marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships.

Redefining Marriage Around the World The legal definition of marriage is in flux, particularly in the developed world. Portland, Oregon also begins issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. While San Francisco is told to halt same-sex unions, Oregon takes the more drastic step of halting all marriages until the state decides who can and cannot wed.

The proposed constitutional amendment with the same-sex ban dies in the U. Senate after testimony against it from conservative politicians. Missouri votes to ban same-sex marriage. Washington state says yes to same-sex marriage in a court decision while the California Supreme Court voids same-sex marriages.

Several states pass initiatives to ban same-sex marriages. California's legislature attempts to pass a law legalizing same-sex unions but it is vetoed by the governor. Connecticut becomes the second state to approve same-sex unions. This leads to California voters approving a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Florida and Arizona voters do the same. Rhode Island state Sen.

Donna Nesselbush, right, embraces a supporter after the Marriage Equality Act was signed into law at the statehouse in Providence on May 2, Jamous Lizotte, right, and Steven Jones pose for photos while waiting for a marriage license in Portland, Maine, on December 29, On March 1, , Maryland Gov.

The law was challenged, but voters approved marriage equality in a November referendum. On February 13, , Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire celebrates after signing marriage-equality legislation into law. Voters there approved same-sex marriage in November , defeating a challenge by opponents. Same-sex marriage became legal in Washington in March Olin Burkhart, left, and Carl Burkhart kiss on the steps of the New Hampshire Capitol on January 1, , after the state's law allowing same-sex marriage went into effect.

In May , Maine state Sen. Dennis Damon, left, hands Gov. John Baldacci the bill that the state Senate passed to affirm the right of same-sex couples to marry. Amy Klein-Matheny, left, and her wife, Jennifer, exchange vows in Iowa after same-sex couples were allowed to marry there with an April 3, , court ruling. The two wed in after Massachusetts approved same-sex marriage.

Massachusetts was the first state to do so. Story highlights Rulings in favor of allowing same-sex marriage are under review in eight of the 13 states The U. Supreme Court could settle the issue for good when it rules this year. But since the U. Supreme Court's ruling invalidating part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, same-sex marriage rights have surged forward nationwide.

In some cases, such as in Illinois, Hawaii, Minnesota and New York, lawmakers opened the doors voluntarily. In others -- most recently Alabama -- it's been state or federal judges forcing the toehold long sought by gay rights advocates and bitterly contested by those who argue marriage is an institution reserved solely for one man and one woman. More Videos As the dominoes fall in favor of same-sex marriages, the question now seems to be which state will be the last to allow such unions?

That's assuming, of course, that the U. Supreme Court doesn't get there first by this June, when it is expected to issue its ruling on such bans in four states this spring. Here's the situation in the 13 states that currently ban same-sex marriages, including eight in which court rulings in favor of allowing same-sex marriage are under review:. Read More. The state's constitutional ban on gay marriage, passed in , was struck down twice last year -- once by a state court judge and again by a U.

District Court judge.