ResearchPaperWork

Topic
Same-Sex Marriage

Research Question
How have laws regarding same-sex marriage changed in recent years? What is the debate regarding the issue? Will there eventually be a Constitutional Amendment regarding marriage?

Hypothesis
There has been limited progress in which some states have passed laws supporting same sex marriage and there will eventually be a federal law allowing same sex marriage because not allowing it violates human rights.

Topic Outline Intro Paragraph
 * Hook – People not being able to accept things that are not the “norm”
 * Massachusetts = 1st state to perform same sex marriages and give the couple a license for it.
 * SSM – not accepted by society.
 * List the pros and cons of SSM
 * There will eventually be a constitutional amendment allowing SSM. -- argument.
 * Laws – DOMA & Prop 8.
 * Currently – 30 states have amendments that ban same-sex marriage.

Body Paragraph 1 – Reasons supporting SSM
 * The number of adoptions taking place will increase.
 * Fewer children left uncared for.
 * Violates the rights of people
 * Their freedom to marry whomever they want to.
 * Make their own decisions.
 * Allowing gay marriages would benefit the state/city.
 * Higher income tax
 * Would have to pay for their marriage license – more money towards the city.
 * Price of state benefit programs will decrease.
 * Ex. NYC legalizing same sex marriage = increase of $142 million to the City’s economy & $184 to the state’s economy.

Body paragraph 2 – Reasons against SSM
 * Goes against religious beliefs.
 * Believed to be a “sin”
 * It will weaken the already weakening institute of marriage.
 * Institute of marriage is already weakening with the high divorce rates – allowing same-sex marriage would only weaken it even more.
 * Children need both a mother and a father.
 * Men and women have different qualities – a child’s needs can only be satisfied by the unique combination of traits both genders.

Body Paragraph 3 – DOMA
 * Passed in 1996
 * Defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
 * States do not have to recognize Same-Sex Marriage couples that were married in another state in their state.
 * Federal government does not recognize same-sex marriage.
 * Same-Sex Marriage couples do not benefit from federal programs designed for married couples.

Body Paragraph 4 – California
 * Proposition 8
 * Allowed the performing of SSM for a few months before Prop 8
 * Recognizes SSM from other states.
 * May 15, 2008 - Same-Sex Marriage allowed in California
 * November 4, 2008 - Prop 8 is passed -- marriage is between a man and a woman.
 * August 4, 2010 - Federal judge ruled Prop 8 violates the constitution
 * Currently still does not allow for same-sex marriage.

Body Paragraph 5 – SSM & DOMA Today
 * Obama and his administration
 * No longer abiding by the terms of DOMA
 * Accepts/recognizes Same-Sex couples.
 * No longer standing behind/enforcing DOMA.
 * Claims DOMA is unconstitutional.
 * Same sex marriage is recognized in immigration cases.
 * []
 * A Venezuelan man was not deported because he was married to an American man.

Concluding Paragraph
 * SSM will soon be permitted for all the states in the U.S. -- there will be an amendment to the Constitution regarding this issue.
 * Graph -- shows that the number of people supporting SSM is increasing as the years pass.
 * U.S. is learning to accept things outside of their "comfort" zone
 * Accepting ideas that had previously been deemed morally wrong and incorrect.
 * World is changing -- modernizing