Same Sex Marriage, Essay Example

Barro, J. (2013, March 26). What Is the Fiscal Impact of Gay Marriage? Retrieved September 6, 2013, from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-26/what-is-the-fiscal-impact-of-gay-marriage-.html

In this article on Bloomberg online portal, author Josh Barro discusses the findings of a study by Congressional Budget Office from 2004 which looked at the financial impact of gay marriage at both macroeconomic and microeconomic levels. Barro reports that the financial impact of gay marriage at macroeconomic level is slightly positive though quite small. The author provides some details from the study as to how gay marriage may reduce federal expenditure such as lower Medicaid and Supplementary Security Income payments. Similarly, married couples usually pay more taxes than they would if they file their taxes individually. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that recognizing same-sex marriage will reduce budget deficit by about $450 million. The author concludes that even though the fiscal impact is not relevant to the issue, it does lend support to the proponents of gay marriage.

Davis, J. (2013, July 29). Day of Equality. Retrieved September 6, 2013, from http://qvegas.com/august-2013-the-relationship-issue/qmmunity-ties/day-of-equality

In this online article, author Jim Davis proposes June 26, 2013 to be remembered as the Day of Equality because on this date, two Supreme Court decisions lent support to marriage equality, one upheld two lower court decisions recognizing marriage equality under the Fourteenth Amendment and the other ruled Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional under the Fifth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. The author educates the readers on both Amendments as well as the specifics of the two Supreme Court cases and later discusses the potential impact of these decisions on the state of Nevada. Jim Davis, a practicing lawyer himself, also educates the readers on the rights currently available to same-sex couples in Nevada.

FindLaw. (n.d.). Same-Sex Marriage Legal Pros and Cons. Retrieved September 6, 2013, from http://family.findlaw.com/marriage/same-sex-marriage-pros-and-cons.html

This online article is primarily informational in nature, intended to educate readers on the pros and cons of marriage equality laws. The article looks at both the economic and social consequences of legalizing same-sex marriage. The author reminds us that the benefits which have been traditionally limited to heterosexual married couples such as Social Security benefits, healthcare benefits, nursing home benefits, and unpaid leave from work for the purpose of taking couple of family members, will also become available to same-sex couples if they are given marriage right. The author cautions that different states offer different set of rights and protection to same-sex couples. Thus, some pros and cons may not apply to particular states though most of the issues will emerge sooner or later, no matter which state the same-sex couples may be in. The website hosting the article offers basic legal guidance to readers, thus, the information should be taken as a basic introduction rather than a reliable professional advice.

Pew Research Center. (2013, March 20). Growing Support for Gay Marriage: Changed Minds and Changing Demographics. Retrieved September 6, 2013, from http://www.people-press.org/2013/03/20/growing-support-for-gay-marriage-changed-minds-and-changing-demographics/

In this article, Pew Research Center reports the findings of its latest survey aimed at finding the general attitudes of Americans towards same-sex marriage and gay rights. In addition to reporting the statistical data reported to the latest survey, Pew also provides the data from past surveys for comparative purpose. According to the article, only 33 percent of Americans supported same-sex marriage in 2003 but the percentage had jumped to 49 percent by March 2013. In contrast, only 44 percent voiced their opposition to same-sex marriage in the latest Pew survey. The article implies that the percentage of Americans supporting same-sex marriage will only increase over time because 70 percent of Americans born since 1980 support same-sex marriage. This article is quite informative in nature because it also provides visual data such as charts and graphs to make it easier for the reader to understand the information and quickly grasp the core message. Pew also provides demographic data of the survey respondents so that the readers understand how the attitudes vary across different population groups such as age groups, political denominations, and education.

Pollon, Z. (2013, August 26). New Mexico’s largest county to allow gay marriage after court ruling. Retrieved September 6, 2013, from http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/27/us-usa-marriage-newmexico-idUSBRE97Q03E20130827

In this online news article, Zelie Pollon reports that gay marriage is now legal in Santa Fe, the largest county in the state of New Mexico as well as the city of Albuquerque. The author adds that the court decision in the Santa Fe County has influenced other counties to voluntary adopt the ruling as well and if the current trend is any indication, the impact will spread to the entire state. The ruling came on the case filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The author also mentions that thirteen states and the District of Columbia already offer gay marriage rights to their respective residents. Even though New Mexico is on the brink of joining few other states in guaranteeing equal marriage rights to its citizens, it may face political opposition from some Republican elements. State Senator Bill Sharer has already indicated his desire to oppose the court decision.

Works Cited

Barro, J. (2013, March 26). What Is the Fiscal Impact of Gay Marriage? Retrieved September 6, 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 6, 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 6, 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 6, 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 6, 2013, from http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/27/us-usa-marriage-newmexico-idUSBRE97Q03E20130827