Same-sex marriage has become a live ethical issue in recent decades for several reasons:
· *civil partnerships are legal in the UK as of December 2005.
· *US court decisions in 2003 suggested that it would soon be legal there - however, elections in 2004 showed that the opponents of gay marriage had not abandoned the fight to stop it.
·*the family laws of many countries now treat same-sex and opposite-sex couples equally, or almost equally.
·*there is no longer a single code of sexual morality.
·*personal freedom of choice is now a significant element in morality.
·*people are now more accepting of different sexualities and see restrictions on consensual adult sexual behavior as unacceptable.
·*the link between sex and procreation has been weakened by reliable contraception.
·*enjoyment and the expression of affection are just as or more important aims of sex than conceiving children.
·*reproductive technology allows same-sex partners to have children.
·*gay activists have made the issue a priority.
·*court action in Europe and the USA has made discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal.
Nations that recognize gay marriage:
Canada
In June of 2005, the Canadian Parliament enacted a law allowing legal marriage for same-sex couples.
Belgium
The second nation to legalize same-sex marriage in 2003.
Netherlands
The first country to grant gay marriage in 2001.
Norway
Became the sixth country to legalize same-sex marriage on May 11, 2008.
South Africa
South Africa became the fifth nation to recognize gay marriage in 2005.
Spain
Spain became the fourth nation to allow gay marriage on June 29, 2005.
US states that recognize gay marriage:
California, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts.
Like Celebs, Like Gays!
(Up):Sir Elton John and his long-term partner David Furnish have celebrated their gay 'wedding'. In December 2005 With Celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Liz hurly attending...much happening dream wedding! (Up, right): Homer Simpson performs same sex wedding ceremony scene from "The Simpsons" animated episode "There is something About Marrying". (Right): Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have decided to tie the knot, after the California Supreme Court overturned the state's ban against gay marriage on the 15th of May 08.Ellen made the news public at the taping of her show Portia de Rossi was in the studio for the big announcement, where the excited audience cheered. |