Gay Marriage And Religious Freedom - 869 Words

In a hypothetical scenario in which same-sex marriage and religious freedom are brought to a legal confrontation, the constitutional rights of both plaintiffs and defendants bring forth a nationwide debate on civil liberties and rights—yet it is easy to mistake one for the other. In this scenario, after lesbian couples Donna and Theodora married in the state of Massachusetts instead of North Carolina (Theodora’s home state), both decided to move to North Carolina in the city of Clinton where they found jobs to financially support one another. However, when both couples contacted a local bakery shop for a wedding cake, they were denied by the shop’s owner who cited North Carolina’s recently enacted law that allows businesses to refuse the patronage of homosexuals when the business owners themselves have a religious objection to homosexuality and same-sex marriage. When Donna and Theodora tried to hire a photographer for when they planned to recite their wed ding vows, the photographer refused—with the issue of religious freedom again been cited in her arguments. Although this initially didn’t come as a surprise to Donna and Theodora, Donna was more concerned about the maid of honor, Bernice, a transgender person being able to use the women’s restroom. Because Bernice was born male, under the rules of House Bill 2—more formally addressed as the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act (aka â€Å"the bathroom bill†)—that would exclude Bernice from using the bathroom of her choiceShow MoreRelatedGay Marriage Should Not Be Denied Service1457 Words   |  6 Pagesand refuse to cater to gay marriages. They do this based on their belief that gay marriage is wrong, and against their faith, and because of this they can’t provide their services or they would be supporting it. In Indiana, a small town pizzeria was asked what their position was on the Religious Restoration Freedom act, and stated that they were a Christian establishment and could not cater to gay marriages. However they would serve gay people and couples in their store. The gay community and supportersRead MoreLocal Religious Freedom Restoration Act905 Words   |  4 PagesLocal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) are controversial in nature, because while they pretend to use the excuse to protect the free exercise of religion, intrinsically it is an avenue to attack same sex marriages which have been ruled constitutional by most circuit appellate courts in the United States. Currently the Supreme Court is hearing the cases that might ultimately decide the faith of marriage equality. United States v. Windsor opened the door for most federal appellate jurisdictionsRead MoreGay Marriage1280 Words   |  6 Pagesburrows, but flamboyantly celebrate their identities. The gays are now a people willing and ready to be heard. It has come to all of our attentions that in the light of marriage they have been d epraved and deceived. Homosexuals cannot allow this persecution to continue, as they are constantly forfeited equal rights. The arguments are of lifestyle differences and the legalized discrimination of these people. It encompasses same-sex marriage as a cause worth fighting and defending so that we all mayRead MoreSame-Sex Marriage Essay1536 Words   |  7 PagesPeople can define marriage in numerous ways. By definition, to marry means to join together. So, a marriage would constitute as a joining together of two individuals into a legal union, which means being joined as one. Some of the many purposes of marriage would include: family, companionship, financial benefits, commitment, and love. Starting a family is an important part of getting married, as well as the commitment to love just the one person for the rest of their lives. Financially, married couplesRead MoreGay marriage persuasive essay1663 Words   |  7 PagesGay Marriage in the United States The debate between whether gay marriage should be legalized or not has been a controversial topic recently. In the past twelve years, equal marriage rights have been legalized in 6 states of the U.S.. Eighteen states do not allow gay marriage and do not recognize civil unions. The other twenty six states allow civil unions, and some are debating legalizing gay marriage. Gay marriage should be legal across the United States. Not allowing gay marriage in any stateRead MoreControversial Topic of Same-Sex Marriage797 Words   |  3 Pagesthe Congressional Quarterly Researcher (CQR) issued a report covering the issue of gay marriage. In their article, Gay Marriage, the CQR discusses the controversy of curbs on same-sex marriage, as well as if the Supreme Court will end these curbs. Within this larger controversy of same-sex marriage, the CQR points out four issues dealing with the topic at hand. The first issue questions whether the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) improperly denies federal benefits to same sex couples. Another issueRead MoreThe Legalization Of Same Sex Marriage915 Words   |  4 PagesMarriage; just another trendy movement that has sparked a shift in political debates or a constitutional tradition that has symbolized the unity of a man and a woman? It has been questioned whether or not this is a constitutional matter that has recently began to revamp due to the incline of divorce rates and the authorization of same sex marriages. Many decades ago, marriage was followed under uncompromising circumstances, many of which were the direct influence of religion. As the decades passedRead MoreEssay about The Case for Gay Marriage1673 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"The freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men.† – United States Supreme Court majority decision in Loving v. Virginia. America is a nation built on fundamental rights. In our Declaration of Independence, our new nation guaranteed its citizens â€Å"Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness†. Today, the political debate over the decisive issue of gay marriage forces us to rethink our commitment to thoseRead MoreControversial Issues Like Same Sex Marriage1481 Words   |  6 Pagessociety has become very opened minded about controversial issues like same-sex marriage. Before, same-sex marriage was despised and highly opposed by a majority of people nationwide. They believed it distorted the institution of marriage, traditionally between a man and woman, and subsequently, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders (LGBTs) are subjected to discrimination. Then again, legitimizing same-sex marriage is not an issue that general society ought to be fussing over. The main problemRead MoreGay Marriage Should Be Legal1019 Words   |  5 PagesIn Defense of Gay Marriage Right now our country is still dealing with one of the bigger social issues that plagues our society. People will argue for and against it in many different ways, whether it be right or wrong. The issue at hand is whether gay marriage should be legal or illegal. There are arguments on both sides of the spectrum, but at the end of the day gay marriage should be legal in all 50 states. Marriage is a right and freedom that should not be denied to any one person because of