List Of States Where Gay Marriage Is Legal! Here Are Benefits Of Gay Marriage That You Must Know
The LGBT(Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) community has had much progress towards equal rights and non-discriminatory laws, especially since the last few decades. What was once considered taboo and punishable by death is now being accepted as the world changes towards a more liberal point of view.
Through scientific reconciliation and a shift in thinking, those who identify themselves as homosexuals are coming to the forefront of society. Today, many countries and states throughout the world have made same-sex marriages legal or at least allowed for civil unions.
Netherlands was the first country to recognize same-sex marriages in 2001. This was followed by Belgium (2003), Spain (2005), Canada (2005), South Africa (2006), Norway (2009), Sweden (2009), Portugal (2010), Iceland (2010) as well as Argentina (2010).
And the list goes on with Denmark (2012), Brazil (2013), France (2013) and Uruguay (2013). Following the trend of same-sex marriages were the countries New Zealand (2013), the UK (2014), Luxembourg (2015), the USA (2015), Ireland (2015), Colombia (2016) and Finland (2017). A majority of the states in Mexico allow same-sex marriages, while in Nepal, it has been mandated by the law.
In the United States, the supreme court declared the ban on same-sex marriages to be unconstitutional in the Obergefell vs. Hodges case back in 2015. However, many states still disprove of same-sex marriages as of 2016. Statistics suggest that as of 2016, 42% of the American population supports same-sex marriages while 37% are in the opposition.
Opponents argue that there are many disadvantages and negative impacts of such marriages, especially the effects on the traditional institution of marriage. However, there are many advantages of same-sex marriages. Some of them are as follows:
1. Legal Right to Adopt:
Gay marriages make it easier to adopt.
Photo credit: www.raut.ru
Many states favor married couples to unmarried couples while considering adoption. If the couple is married, then each partner has equal responsibility towards taking care of the child and upon the death of one of the partners, the other becomes the legal parent. Thus, compared to the unmarried couple, a married couple has a higher chance of adopting a child.
2. Legal Benefits:
"Gay Marriage= Economic Equality"
Photo credit: www.gobankingrates.com
Legalizing gay marriages will allow the partners to have equal rights to the property and assets that each one owns. One partner can formally gain citizenship into the country of his/her partner if the partner belongs to the country where they can be legally safe. Besides, under marriage protection, one partner can take refuge in the country or state of his/her partner, if s/he faces persecution.
3. Improving the Quality of Life:
Live and Let Live
Photo credit: gazettereview.com
There are many incidences of gender-based violence and hatred towards the gay community throughout the world. Legalizing gay marriages is a strong stance against such violence and in turn protects those who are most vulnerable.
As such, all closeted gay and other homosexual men and women can feel at ease to express their true identity without shame or guilt. It is a substantial step towards improving their quality of lives.
4. Recognition of Human Rights:
Marriage is a basic human right
Photo credit: www.humanrightsfirst.org
It has been stated in the Bill of rights, the American Constitution and the UN Charter, that all people are born equal. As such, each irrespective of his age, sex, gender or sexual orientation should have equal access to all rights granted as human rights.
The concept of marriage as a social construct has changed over time, and, it remains a fundamental human right to choose to spend their lives with people they love. So legalizing gay marriages is a recognition of this basic human right.
5. A sense of Equality:
"All men are born equal."
Photo credit: kenan.ethics.duke.edu
Same-sex marriages allow for gay couples to have the same rights and freedoms as heterosexual couples, without predisposition to persecution based on gender-based discrimination. Consequently, gay couples get a sense of equality.
6. Definition of Marriage:
Definitions change with time
Photo credit: www.russellmoore.com
The definition of marriage as an institution and as a bond between a man and a woman has undergone major changes in the past few decades. Earlier, the sole purpose of marriage was thought of to be procreation.
However, this definition excluded even the heterosexual couples, who are infertile or unable to bear children. Thus, it is a dire need to re-evaluate this definition of marriage.
7. Better parentage:
Homosexuals make better parents!
Photo credit: www.parents.com
Many research shows that homosexual couples, in fact, make better parents than heterosexual parents when it comes to the health and well-being of the child. In fact, it was found that children raised by lesbian mothers are more competent academically and socially compared to those raised by heterosexual parents.
All in all, marriage should be between the people that love each other and plan on spending the rest of their lives together. A wave of change has been observed in the number of countries that have legalized gay marriages. And with all its benefits, such a bond could be the key to a healthy future for the entire human race.
