In latest news, a federal judge struck down Oklahoma’s same sex marriage ban Tuesday January 14th.
This is the second time a federal judge has set aside extremely conservative state’s limits on same-sex marriage. Utah’s ban was reversed in December of 2013. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Terence Kern described Oklahoma’s ban on same-sex marriage as “an arbitrary, irrational exclusion of just one class of Oklahoma citizens from a governmental benefit.”
As a result of the ruling, there are many people in the city of Oklahoma who are outraged. In a statement from Republican Gov. Mary Fallin she said, “I support the right of Oklahoma’s voters to govern themselves on this and other policy matters. I am disappointed in the judge’s ruling and troubled that the will of the people has once again been ignored by the federal government”.
Moreover, individuals feel that same sex marriage also promotes and condones homosexual lifestyles, and same sex marriage is not supported for a variety of reasons. Many people argue that it goes against Christian and many other prominent religious values. Most of them believe that a man a woman are the only couples that should receive recognition in the courts and have the right to get married. Others feel it denies a child the right to a traditional father and mother.
According to Marriage Equality,
- Same-gender couples live in 99.3% of all US counties.
- Same-gender couples are raising children in at least 96% of all US counties.
- Nearly one quarter of all same-gender couples are raising children.
Also, in an article from CNN, it states:
- 6 U.S. states allow civil unions between same-sex couples, but not marriage: Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island. (some states recognize same sex couples but do not allow marriage)
- 12 U.S. states allow same-sex marriage, along with the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Read Full Article
Why is same sex marriage such a big deal? What matters in a family is that children have two healthy parents who are nurturing, caring, and loving. Parents should never be judged on their ability to parent based on their race, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. Love is love regardless of the sex of two people, and if they choose to get married why should they be denied that right in The United States of America especially in 2014.
