Gay Marriage in America, Essay Example

If history of civil rights in this country is any indication, our generation is about to become part of an important historical milestone towards a greater America. The social stigma towards equal rights for same-sex couples may have been declining for a while but the issue of same-sex marriage continues to attract significant controversy because it goes against the traditional and religious values that have dominated American society for so long. Even though the issue of same-sex marriage is usually presented as that of a principle, it does have economic and social implications. The supporters of same-sex marriage claim the social and economic stakes are huge but the opponents of same-sex marriage accuse supporters of exaggerating the potential consequences. Fortunately, studies have been conducted to measure the economic impact as well as social attitudes towards same-sex marriage. While different studies may have reached different conclusions, they do seem to agree that same-sex marriage does carry social and economic consequences.

Pew Research Center (Pew Research Center, 2013) conducted a national survey which revealed 49 percent of Americans support same-sex marriage while 44 percent oppose. This is a significant change from just a decade ago in 2003 when Pew survey found support among only 33 percent while 58 percent opposed same-sex marriage. The survey reveals that the Millennial generation has been particularly instrumental in bringing about change in national attitudes towards same-sex marriage as support for same-sex marriage among Millennials stands at 70 percent. Support among older population has also grown, with 31 percent voicing their support for same-sex marriage as opposed to 17 percent in 2003. Pew Research Center also attempted to investigate why some oppose same-sex majors and the two leading factors turned out to be religious beliefs and concern for traditional American family structure. The survey demonstrates that there have been significant shifts in public attitudes towards same-sex marriage.

Supporters of same-sex marriage claim denying marriage right to same-sex couples results in economic burden. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) (Barro, 2013) investigated the economic impact of allowing same-sex marriage and concluded that the overall impact is positive, albeit negligible. CBO estimated the budget deficit would be reduced by about $450 million or just 0.01 percent of total federal spending. The report stated that allowing same-sex marriage will reduce government spending on welfare programs such as Medicaid and Supplementary Social Income rolls. The government may also benefit from higher tax revenues because married couples tend to be charged at higher tax rate.

FindLaw (FindLaw), a public education website owned by Thomson Reuters, analyses the potential social and economic benefits and costs of same-sex marriage. First of all, married couples have greater custody and guardianship rights. Similarly, the surviving spouse also inherits the estate of a deceased spouse while unmarried surviving partners don’t. Married couples also benefit from lower estate taxes as well as qualify for government benefits which non-married couples don’t. At the same time, marriage can also impose huge economic costs in case of a divorce.

The judicial system has also paved the way for same-sex marriage. Jim Davis (Davis, 2013) argues June 26, 2013 should be remembered as a Day of Equality because the date witnessed two Supreme Court decisions that lent support to marriage equality. In the United States v. Windsor (DOMA), the court ruled that Section 3 in DOMA violates Fifth Amendment’s Equal Protection Claude. Similarly, in Hollingsworth v. Perry (Prop 8), the court ruled supporters of Prop 8 didn’t have the legal standing to appeal a federal court’s case which ruled ban on marriage equality as unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. Jim Davis (Davis, 2013), a practicing lawyer in Las Vegas, informs Nevadans same-sex couples do not qualify for numerous federal government benefits destined for married couples. Jim does believe that marriage equality is on the horizon because a statewide referendum could take place as early as 2016 and lawsuits seeking equal rights for same-sex couples are being filed in the state courts.

Progress towards marriage equality has also been underway in other states. According to Zelie Pollon (Pollon, 2013), New Mexico’s largest county has legalized same-sex marriage due to a court decision by Santa Fe county judge. The decision has set the precedent for other counties in the state as well some of whom such as Dona Ana County have voluntarily started issuing marriage licenses. Total thirteen U.S. states as well as District of Columbia now officially acknowledge same-sex marriage.

Pew Research Center surveyed 1,501 adults, 18 years and older from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Roughly half were surveyed through landline phones and half through cell phones. In landline phone sample, responses came from the youngest male or female individual at home which may have skewed the survey towards opinion of young people. As a result, the survey may not be a reliable portrayal of national attitudes because U.S. population is aging and older people still tend to oppose same-sex marriage as a group. Similarly, the Congressional Budget Office used several assumptions to arrive at estimations and, thus, the reliability of estimations depends upon the accuracy of the assumptions that may turn out to be false.

Literature review demonstrates public attitudes towards marriage equality have been changing and young people are particularly supportive of same-sex marriage. Courts have also struck down anti marriage equality laws on the ground they violate constitutional rights of same-sex couples. Many federal government programs favor married couples and do not recognize civil unions. The theme shared by all the sources is that marriage equality is now just a matter of time.

Works Cited

Barro, J. (2013, March 26). What Is the Fiscal Impact of Gay Marriage? Retrieved September 25, 2013, from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-26/what-is-the-fiscal-impact-of-gay-marriage-.html

Davis, J. (2013, July 29). Day of Equality. Retrieved September 25, 2013, from http://qvegas.com/august-2013-the-relationship-issue/qmmunity-ties/day-of-equality

FindLaw. (n.d.). Same-Sex Marriage Legal Pros and Cons. Retrieved September 25, 2013, from http://family.findlaw.com/marriage/same-sex-marriage-pros-and-cons.html

Pew Research Center. (2013, March 20). Growing Support for Gay Marriage: Changed Minds and Changing Demographics. Retrieved September 25, 2013, from http://www.people-press.org/2013/03/20/growing-support-for-gay-marriage-changed-minds-and-changing-demographics/

Pollon, Z. (2013, August 26). New Mexico’s largest county to allow gay marriage after court ruling. Retrieved September 25, 2013, from http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/27/us-usa-marriage-newmexico-idUSBRE97Q03E20130827