Same-sex Marriages
Some marriages involve homosexuals rather than heterosexuals. A same-sex marriage is a marriage between two people who identify as the same gender or sex. Views on same-sex marriages in the U.S. have begun to substantially change only in the past few decades. The majority of people have defined marriage as specifically between a man and a woman, but society has become more tolerant of same-sex couples. People who have supported same-sex marriage have stated that a person’s sexual orientation should have nothing to do with whether or not they get certain rights. They have argued that letting same-sex couples marry will make the individuals healthier overall. Those who have opposed same-sex marriage have said that it threatens religion and ruins the traditional view of marriage that, for the most part, worldwide society has historically embraced.
Thirty-one states have passed constitutional amendments restricting marriage to being between one man and one woman. Voters in Arizona (2006) and Minnesota (2012) voted on such amendments but rejected them. Meanwhile, twelve states have passed marriage equality (equal right to marriage for homosexual and heterosexual people), with Minnesota's Governor Mark Dayton signing equal marriage into law on May 14, 2013.
Read more about this topic: Marriage In The United States, Same-sex Marriage
Famous quotes containing the word marriages:
“The happiest two-job marriages I saw during my research were ones in which men and women shared the housework and parenting. What couples called good communication often meant that they were good at saying thanks to one another for small aspects of taking care of the family. Making it to the school play, helping a child read, cooking dinner in good spirit, remembering the grocery list,... these were silver and gold of the marital exchange.”
—Arlie Hochschild (20th century)