Gay marriage: Time for 'marriage equality' in America?
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was the leading voice behind passage of same-sex marriage legislation on Sunday.
Photo courtesy of WikiMedia Commons
At noon yesterday, the NYC Pride march stepped off at the intersection of 36th Street and 5th Avenue, ending up at Christopher and Greenwich Streets. This annual event had special meaning this time because it celebrated the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law last Friday.
At the parade, Cuomo stated, “It is time for marriage equality.” In a speech last week, he said that New York is now “a beacon for social justice.”
The law includes provisions to protect religious organizations that do not want to participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies: “A religious corporation incorporated under the education law or the religious corporations laws shall be deemed to be in its nature distinctly private and therefore, shall not be required to provide accommodations, advantages, facilities or privileges related to the solemnization or celebration of a marriage.”
Refusal to participate does not create a civil claim or a cause of action. The state or any local government cannot “penalize, withhold benefits, or discriminate against” a religious organization or an organization controlled by a religious corporation that refuses to participate.
The provisions to protect religious organizations were key to getting Republican support for the bill. That phrase, “Republican support for the bill,” may sound odd — but it’s true in this case.
As reported in the New York Times on Sunday, Cuomo privately sought help from several top Republican political donors — each with a personal interest in what they saw as protecting the legal freedoms of gay Americans. Winning over those donors was key to swaying other Republican politicians.
Politicians aside, however, how do American citizens feel about the decision?
You might have heard the lengthy National Public Radio call-in show on Monday about New York’s legalization of gay marriage. Most callers seemed to be cheering — but most callers that NPR put on the air were either gay themselves or they were young.
How about you? Do you support the legalization of same-sex marriage? Why or why not?
A POLITICAL LANDMARK: GALLUP POLL SHIFTS ON GAY MARRIAGE
One of the strongest arguments that a tide is turning in American culture is this news item: Last month, for the first time ever, more than half of Americans (53 percent) said they support gay marriage, according to a Gallup poll. The venerable survey outfit has been tracking attitudes about this issue since 1996.
BUT LOOK CLOSER: WHO’S NOT CHEERING?
Attitudes are changing, but not among all political groups. Gallup finds that the shift to majority support comes exclusively from Democrats and independents. Over two-thirds of Democrats (69 percent) and six of ten independents (59 percent) now support the legalization of gay marriage. Republicans, however, have not changed their attitudes on the issue. Only 28 percent of those affiliated with the GOP favor gay-marriage legalization.
It’s also true, Gallup reports, that support for gay marriage varies by age. Younger Americans overwhelmingly support it, while Americans 55 and older tend to oppose it. Given that values change by what is euphemistically called “intergenerational replacement,” it seems like the tide will continue to turn.
How do you feel about the New York law legalizing gay marriage?
Do you see a tide turning?
If your state doesn’t have a similar law, do you want one?
Is it time for marriage equality in America?
Dr. Wayne E. Baker is a sociologist on the faculty of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Baker blogs daily at Our Values and can be reached at ourvaluesproject@gmail.com or on Facebook.
Comments
Black Coffee :)
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 7:51 p.m.
As long as you are for the homosexual agenda your comments will be left on this thread but no other comments or thoughts will be tolerated
John B.
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 10:05 p.m.
That's funny!
BhavanaJagat
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 3:17 p.m.
We need to understand the reality about the nature of man's physical existence in the world. This reality cannot be changed by man and the government that represents the man. We speak about equality while in the real world man does not exist as an equal. The basic essence of the man is his individuality. Man is an individual as he is a moral, and spiritual being. Man seeks social relations with other members of his community while keeping his individuality. No social relationship, both gay/lesbian, and heterosexual relationships would survive if man has no individuality. All relationships, of all kinds of sexual orientations require that man must be treated with respect, dignity, and the integrity of individuality must be maintained. A State Law may sanction a social relationship but it cannot maintain relationships.
dogpaddle
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 3 p.m.
To the Designated Conservative? Really? We should decide another person's rights that don't affect you by vote? Whew! Good thing we didn't put interracial marriages to a vote. Oh, wait, that was ruled unconstitutional a mere 40+ years ago. And I'm with Macabre Sunset. Let gays have a crack at not making the same mockery out a marriage that heterosexuals have had since time began. Brittney Spears and her 55 minute marriage (when she was drunk)? And I'm not judging The Terminator, The Edwards, Clintons, Weiners, former Gov. Sanford from SC who found his soul mate in Argentina or which of Gingrich's three marriages would you like to claim "family values" on? Or is that why people are against same gender marriage? Are you afraid that some other group will do a better job of it?
Dog Guy
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:11 p.m.
Next week New York will cut the force of gravity by 50% (but only within the state).
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 4:55 a.m.
Gay people cannot possibly make more of a mockery of the institution of marriage than we straight people. Have at it. Maybe you can even restore some semblance of honor to the institution.
Designated Conservative
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 3:48 a.m.
No, it is not time to consider gay marriage in Michigan. This is settled law in our state, thanks to the voters.
KarenH
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 3:58 p.m.
Fortunately, laws change all the time and we don't have to live forever under majority rule. That "settled law" here in Michigan was the result of an outsider spreading lies and fear about what giving us equal rights would do. It won't matter some day soon when it becomes federal law to not discriminate against us any longer. Then people who think it's ok to treat other people as less-than them, won't be heard or tolerated.
Cash
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 11:21 p.m.
Heardoc, Aye yi yi. Sometimes this is a very scary place. I say let gays marry over and over again, divorce over and over, have kids with different fathers/mothers and have affairs over and over....just like heterosexuals. Looks like the idea of heterosexual marriage is pretty ridiculous too. And that very small group you speak of? Did you read the article? The majority of Americans are in favor of it.
mohomed
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 2:40 a.m.
Just a couple years ago the PEOPLE of Michigan shot gay marriage down pretty overwhelmgly. Anyway majority opinion doesn't make right or wrong (just ask former Black Slaves if there were any left). Absolute Truth decides right and wrong.
KarenH
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
Now Michigan needs to follow suit. Unfortunately, that won't happen until it's made law at the federal level.
Bogie
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 9:10 p.m.
I want all people to have the same rights. My God says, that homosexuality is a sin. My God also says, not to judge. Final verdict. I don't like it, but I will let God do the judging.
Rork Kuick
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 2:38 p.m.
cgerben: I'm not a Christian, but I think Leviticus18:22 is a fairly famous example of homosexual behavior being forbidden. Oh, in 20:13 it says death is the proper penalty. Ditto for cursing your parents. Perhaps some Christians do not feel bound by old testament law though - they eat clams and touch footballs and aren't stoning people to death for adultery much lately. I'm no expert.
Buster W.
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 12:16 a.m.
I didn't see anything about Adam and Adam or Eve and Eve in the Bible???
KarenH
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 11 p.m.
If your God says that homosexuality is a sin (which is not true, but that's beside the point) then simply being alive is by itself a sin (given that we do actually exist). Therefore, final verdict, we are all equal and should be treated equally, whether your prersonal religion deems all human beings sinners or not.
cgerben
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 10:03 p.m.
I invite you--or any other Christian reading this--to please provide the Bible verse where homosexuality is deemed a "sin." If religion is the frame that you want to view legal matters, then let's at least provide accurate research.
Cash
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 8:59 p.m.
Leave religion out of goverment! (Hear me US Bishops of the Catholic Church??) No one is telling a particular church thhey need to perform the ceremony. Get over it. Of course they should have the same rights as all other Americans.
Top Cat
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 8:26 p.m.
It looks like the political and religious right is fighting a losing battle on this issue.