Gay Marriage in the Media

alg-gay-marriage-jpgWhile searching for a topic for this week’s civic issue post, I did my usual google search of “gay marriage” to see what the latest news about gay marriage is about. I am immediately taken to a link that is titled, and I quote, “Former Senator Blames TV Show for Gay Marriage” and obviously, I just had to go and find out whether or not this guy was in his right mind. The former United States Senator representing Pennsylvania made a statement saying that he blamed the television show Will and Grace for making gay marriage an “issue.” Apparently, if the show had not aired, gay marriage would not be considered such a hot topic……sound idea right?

will-and-grace-14For those of you who don’t know the show, Will and Grace is a show about two best friends, Will and Grace (shocker!) and their other friends, Jack and Karen and how they deal with their lives while living in the city. Both Will and Jack are gay, but no they are not a couple. Jack is your flamboyant gay, who is often found guilty of being superficial and full of himself, seeing several men over the course of the series and struggling to hold down a job. Will is a lawyer who graduated from Columbia, where he met Grace, and compared to Jack, is for more neurotic and controlling, especially when it comes to cleaning his apartment. Although there was some speculation as to whether or not Will and Grace were just best friends or if they were actually in love with another, it had been established that they are just best friends, who happen to have a friendship very much like a romantic couple. The show brought about issues of homosexuality, as it featured a scene from Will and Grace in their college days when they were dating and Will was not yet ready to admit that he was gay, to the relationships that Jack and Will both have throughout the series with other men, to the idea of gay adoption, as the series finale reveals that Will and his partner were able to adopt a son whom they named Ben. The show was received with a variety of responses, and among the negative ones, the show was deemed too stereotypical and presented a very limited view of the gay community. Nevertheless, the show brought about very non-conservative issues and ideas as it was the first prime time television to show openly homosexual characters. It sparked much controversy among the public, and according to this article, this former US Senator took the TV show a bit too seriously, at least in my opinion.

Iowa Gay MarriageIt’s amazing how the media can provoke such individuals into believing ideas that many of us would see to be exaggerated. Yes, the media does lead us into believing in certain ways and can have a major impact in our society, but in the end, we are the ones who determine how far the messages portrayed by television will lead us. I believe that even if Will and Grace had not aired, gay marriage would still be a controversial issue. It’s not as though the TV show was the first to bring out the idea of homosexuality, it just portrayed it through the media.

Gay Marriage and its Legality

supreme-courtOn December 7, 2012, the Supreme Court came into the arena of gay rights when it agreed to review two cases regarding this issue. The first case focused on the the Defense of Marriage Act, otherwise known as DOMA. This federal law prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages as an institution. The second case focused on Proposition 8, a ballot initiative approved by the voters of California that called for the state constitution to be amended to include a clause about banning gay marriage. The case focused on the appeal of this ban.

The fight toward gay’s rights has been a long winded journey filled with progress and disappointments. The idea of gay marriage being a valid institution of marriage has been met with conflict in the courthouse for over 20 years, and in the minds of Americans far before that. The issue of gay marriage has occurred all over the country is state courts, including Hawaii, California, Maryland, and New Jersey but so far, one of the most significant cases occurred in the state court of Massachusetts. In this case, the judge ruled that the constitution for the state of Massachusetts gave gays and lesbians the right to marry.

gay_rights_sign_by_The_EnablerWhile these states were able to settle their cases, the DOMA case and Proposition 8 case were taken to the federal courts where the country was brought in to decide upon this imperative issue. The purpose of having these cases over the issue of gay marriage is to settle the age-old question of: Is the Constitution accepting of gay marriage and will it be recognized to the same degree as a different sex marriage? While the first case in this article, DOMA, involved the dispute over the discrimination against of a minority, the gay and lesbian minority, the second case focuses on Proposition 8, which involves a state decision to prevent gay and lesbian couples from having to the right to marry in California. Out of the two cases, Proposition 8 may bring about more attention towards the issue of whether or not the Constitution will be amended or interpreted in a way that would allow for the legality of same sex marriage.

After trying both cases, the DOMA case has been moved for a review in March 2013 and will be decided by June 2013. One of the reasons that this review is needed is because, unlike Proposition 8, which particularly deals with California itself, DOMA deals with the entire country and therefore a proper protocol must be established so all of the states must practice this law the same way. Regardless, there have been several strides made in the area of gay rights. States like New York, Connecticut, and Vermont would not allow gay couples living together to be recognized as a married couple under the federal law. The progress with gay rights has been a dramatic one considering the fact that there was once a time where gays were not even allowed to come out of the closet without fear of being ridiculed by their peers. We should embrace this change for the chance of a more enlightened future.

 

 

The Benefits of Different Sex Marriage Compared to Same Sex Marriage

marriage-equalityWe’ve all heard the classic argument between the pros and cons of a heterosexual marriage vs. a homosexual one. From the church, we hear the classic argument based on the morality and “religiousness” of it all and how in the Bible, homosexuality is condemned and that from the very beginning, God created Adam and Eve so that MAN can be with a WOMAN. There are no other exceptions. From the conservatives, we hear the argument that marriage is solely between a man and a woman, and that a union between two males and two females is not recognized as a “legitimate” marriage. From the liberals, we hear the argument that marriage is between two people who love one another regardless of gender, and that marriage between gays and lesbians should be legalized. These countless opinions have been placed side by side and against one another, influencing our own views on the subject matter itself.

pb-110624-gay-marriage.photoblog900One argument that I find particularly interesting is the seemingly beneficial marriage of different sexes when compared to same sex. While I myself am a proponent of same sex marriage and believe that everyone should have the right to marry whomever they please, it was interesting to see that there were certain benefits that came with being in a same sex marriage that cannot be directly applied to gay marriages. It has been said that while not all marriages are the same, and that there are cases where some same sex marriages have greater success than different sex marriages, and vice versa, there are some glaring characteristics of different sex marriages that are unique to them. For one, researchers have found that one benefit of different sex marriages is that they are recognized by the law. When you get married, you sign a marriage certificate signifying that the state recognizes your union, at least, if you are performing a different sex marriage. While some states are currently approving the bill to legalize gay marriage, it is not yet nationally recognized by the law. Having your marriage recognized as being legal, gives it a sense of being real and gives the partners in the gay marriagemarriage a sense of support and stability in the feeling that this marriage may work out. Another benefit of different sex marriages is the public support that comes with it. As most of us have seen through the media, the support for gay marriage has been rising, but there is still a great deal of opponents for the union. There are many people who oppose of the union by publicly speaking their mind, making posters and signs to advertise throughout the public, and even going out of their way to target pro-gay groups and trying to disrupt pro-gay events. Public acceptance of gay marriages would help with the recognition of the union, not only to the public, but to those taking part in it. Knowing that your union is accepted by the country can help strengthen some gay unions and ensure a better marriage.

These benefits of having a different sex marriage, while they may not be evident in every marriage, bring about a point that same sex marriages are not very easy to partake in. Not only do you have to fight with the law to have your marriage recognized, but you have to fight to make sure that you and your partner recognize the marriage for yourself. The benefits of different sex marriages should, hopefully, carry over to same sex marriages and give those who want to partake in it, a worth while marriage.

Gay Marriage and the Morality of it All

gay_pride_flagOur morals are based upon our own personal beliefs and the environment and experiences which we have grown up with. Our morality can come into question with the little things, like “Is it okay for me to take the last cookie from the cookie jar after my mom said not to, and blame my little sister?” (not that I’ve actually done that……). But then there are the big questions like, “Is it moral to genetically modify human beings with the desirable traits that we believe will extend our lifespan?” or “Is it moral for doctors to allow their own personal influences and beliefs to affect the way that they treat their patients?” Every day, we are faced with different moral dilemmas, with the intensity of the dilemma varying anywhere between mild to intense.

just-married-gay-marriageThe issue of gay marriage has brought into light people’s true moral and ethical compasses. There are those who have stuck to their views, and there are those who have found themselves changing theirs based upon light that has shed on the issue. But nevertheless, the growing controversy of gay marriage has gained more attention from the media and political figures, with almost expressing their views on the subject.

120925120350-gay-marriage-flags-story-topAn article from the New York Times stated that while 56% of Americans are married in the United States, only 26% have stuck to the traditional family concept which typically consists of two parents and one or two children (maybe even more). The gay and lesbian population has found itself growing at a constant rate, with more homosexuals coming out of the closet due to the increasing acceptance of “gay culture” in society. Of course we still have our so called traditionalists who oppose anything that is not “natural” or written in the Bible or the Constitution, but one can argue that society has been much more accepting of gays in recent light when compared to the past, gay-marriage-ban_o_335538especially in the media through television. But while many have started to accept gays, many are resistant to gay marriage. Now, do ALL gay couples want to get married? Probably not, but would they like the right to? Sure, but many have called in religion to determine whether or not a gay marriage is “right” or whether it is seen as a real marriage. At Santa Clara University, Fred Parrella, associate professor of religious studies at Santa Clara University, and Gerald Coleman, S.S., President of St. Patrick’s Seminary, created a panel to address topics and issues related to gay marriage from a religious standpoint and their views changed the way I viewed religion and its perspective on gay marriage.

Fred Parella explains that he hopes that in the future, the church will be able to accept gay marriage and relieve itself of the homophobic connotation that many have associated with it. He compared the tentative definition of marriage (1) to that compared to the Catholic church’s definition (2):

Marriage (n.)- 1. Marriage is an unconditional, life-long commitment between two persons who promise to share all of life and love, home and hearth, body and soul; marriage necessarily involves both the fullest of communication, the deepest of understanding, and the strongest of personal loyalty and trust between two people. 2. A commitment between a man and a woman that is modeled on the commitment of Christ and his Church, on a commitment of unconditional love.

Both definition imply the sanctity of marriage, in that it is a personal bond between two people, a bond that is not replicated with anyone else in their life, but one that they each share with each other alone. Now, they do differ in their view of who the marriage should be between, but they emphasize the bond between the couple. The morality of this issue, is dependent on the personal beliefs and views of every individual and cannot be determined within a few minutes.

Will-Smith-on-gay-marriage

 

Gay Marriage: “The New Normal”

Last semester, I focused my TED Talk and paradigm shift paper on the changes of the family dynamic, in particular, the shift from the nuclear family of the 1950s to the modern family dynamics we see today: from single parent households, to blended household, and even same sex households. While I found all of the different dynamics, same sex households particularly caught my eye. While the other two family structures veer off of the “norm” in a slight degree, same sex marriage is still a controversial topic, as it goes against the traditional interpretation of marriage between a man and a woman. There are those who are in support of same sex marriages and households, as they see it as a way to keep up with the times of change and progress, a time where open mindedness is the only way to truly progress. And then we also have our traditionalists who do not believe in going outside of the box of what is “right and wrong” as they follow a traditional, predetermined path.

Gay marriage has been on the rise for several years now and as of November 7, 2012, gay marriage was legalized in the following nine states: Massachusetts (May 17, 2004), Connecticut (Nov. 12, 2008), Iowa (Apr. 24. 2009), Vermont (Sep. 1, 2009), New Hampshire (Jan. 1, 2010), New York (June 24, 2011), Maryland (Nov. 6, 2012), Maine (Nov. 6, 2012), and Washington (Nov. 6, 2012). We also have Rhode Island underway, as the state itself has approved of the bill, and it is currently in the hands of the Senate. The progress that has come with gay marriage has been remarkable, considering that there was once a time where people were truly afraid for their lives if they revealed their true nature or “came out of the closet” as it would cause a mass riot. Nowadays, while mass riots are still in various venues, the idea of gay marriage, while still difficult, is at a much better now, then it was several years ago.

neil-patrick-harris-halloween-02

There are many pros and cons to gay marriage but I would like to focus on the following points. Two mainly argued pros for the argument are that 1) gay marriage is protected by the Constitution, as it is stated that “freedom of personal choice in matters of marriage and family life is one of the liberties protected by the Due Process Clause” which was declared during the  Cleveland Board of Education v. LaFleur case which fought against mandatory maternity leave rules for women as they were still viewed as housewives and caretakers, instead of industry working women, and 2) the opposition against gay marriage is in direct relation to the notion these couples are victims of prejudice, as they are judged for their sexual orientation rather than their character or particular skill. Two mainly argued cons against gay marriage are that 1) the definition of marriage had been defined in Baker vs. Nelson in which marriage was institutionalized as ” the union of man and woman, uniquely involving the procreation and rearing of children within a family, is as old as the book of Genesis.” and 2) gay marriage would open a Pandora’s box, with people going down a slippery slope of polygamy and other non-tradtional marriage forms.

There are many arguments being placed out there in our world. There are those who believe that they are right, or rather that someone else is wrong. I could list out all of the pros and cons for you and tell you which one I believe in, but in the end, it is up to the public to form their own opinion on the subject matter. But the one thing that we have to realize is however, that gay marriage is a part of our society, whether or not people agree or disagree with it. It is important to understand the realities and see that merely supporting or opposing gay marriage will not create change, but rather we need to make our stand known, whatever it may be.

http://gaymarriage.procon.org

Diversity on the College Campus

When I was making my college decision, I felt that an important aspect of college experience involved diversity on the campus. Fortunately for me, here at Penn State, I have a great group of friends from all different cultures, and some are even literally right off the boat, but statistically, things may seem different to the common eye. According to statistics from College Prowler, the following percentages represent the current demographic of students here at Penn State:

African American: 4%
Asian: 5%
Hispanic: 5%
International: 6%
Native American: 3%
White: 76%
As we can see, most of the Penn State campus is of Caucasian descent, even though I tend to see more diversity in both my classes, my dorm hall, and in the cafeteria, places that I go to very frequently on campus, but that it most likely due to the fact that I just may be seeing the same people over and over again. Having diversity on the college campus is highly important. For one, diversity opens the entire university to global awareness without having to travel far or wide. You are exposed to so many different cultures and different types of people all within one campus. Diversity also allows for greater incidence for creative thinking, as it allows our minds to explore various ideals and concepts, unbeknownst to people of our own culture. It allows us to think outside the box, to gain a worldly view of our surroundings, and to go beyond the borders of dear old State College, at least in our case. Diversity also allows for greater self-awareness. When people tell you about their experiences in other countries and other lands, we not only learn about these other countries, but we also have the chance to compare our own experiences to those of others and understand ourselves to a better degree. By understanding others, we have the chance to understand ourselves and make better choices, both in our academic life, as well as our personal life.