Zane Billings and Hannah Haymaker

March 19, 2014

2
nd
Period

Topic: Same-sex couples should be extended the benefit of marriage
Pros:
1) The natural and expressed rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of
Happiness are enforced and are not taken away from a group of people
(usually called unconstitutional by the United States)
2) The Human Rights Campaign (henceforth referred to as the HRC) has
published a list of over 1000 benefits of marriage. These benefits will be
extended to all couples.
3) Separation of church and state will be enforced. The constitution maintains
that the United States government will make no law respecting an
establishment of religion. The majority of arguments against same-sex
marriage is based on a religious standpoint. The federal government is not
allowed to use religion as a basis for government.
4) Increase in adoption rates
5) Financial increases, due to the financial benefits of marriage
Cons:
1) The governments banning (or allowing states to ban) of same-sex marriages
implies that discrimination against same-sex couples is okay.
2) Break in the traditional definition of marriage, even though said definition
is inaccurate. It is what our society defines marriage as, and allowing same-
sex marriage will break this image.
3) Religious majorities in the United States believe in typical gender roles
which may or may not apply to same-sex couples.
4) Homosexuality is consider a sin in most major religions prominent in the
United States (particularly within major sects of Christianity).
5) The definition of marriage may change, as marriage is a religious (Jewish
and Christian) term. The expansion of the definition of marriage is offensive
to these religious groups (although the term marriage is only used by the
government to describe a civil union and may or may not be religious).
Sources:
1) https://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/an-overview-of-federal-rights-and-
protections-granted-to-married-couples
2) http://gaymarriage.procon.org/#pro_con
3) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/pros-and-cons-of-same-sex-marriages
4) http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/same-sex-marriage-pros-cons-
30219.html
Zane Billings and Hannah Haymaker
March 19, 2014
2
nd
Period

5) http://www.balancedpolitics.org/same_sex_marriages.htm