By Danny Kelleher
Executive News Editor
Gay marriage should undoubtedly be legalized, and North Carolina’s recent passage of an amendment banning gay marriage to its state constitution only accentuates Americans’ need for rationality on the issue.
President Obama made a strong step in the right direction by publicly declaring his support for same-sex marriage two weeks ago, and more Americans should follow suit in coming years.
An argument used by opponents of same-sex marriage is that the endorsement of marriage between a man and a man, or a woman and a woman, contradicts the Bible, along with many other religious doctrines. The essence of this claim is constitutionally irrelevant, as gay marriage is backed by United States law.
The forefathers of the United States established a secular nation. Separation of church and state is a principle that has been laid into the legal core of the nation since its founding. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, as stated by the Declaration of Independence, are “natural rights” to which all Americans are entitled.
When people base their opposition to gay marriage around the Bible’s teachings, they are neglecting the fact that the Bible has absolutely no standing in American law.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in 1974’s Cleveland Board of Education v. LaFleur further justifies the legalization of gay marriage. In it, the court declared that “freedom of personal choice in matters of marriage and family life is one of the liberties protected by the Due Process Clause.” Under these legal parameters, states have no right to prohibit gay marriage, as it is a fundamental right granted by the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
The other popular claim that opponents to the legalization of gay marriage tend to derive their arguments from is the idea that the “Institution of Marriage” has remained unchanged and strong, and by opening marriage up to same-sex couples, American traditional values will become weaker. However, this too is a baseless claim.
Similar statements were made about the institution of slavery and Jim Crow laws. The United States was founded more than 225 years ago, and breaking traditional trends is a complete necessity for a progressive society to flourish.
The legal rights mandated to same-sex couples by the American legal code are not the only incentives present for the legalization of gay marriage, however. There are also some economic advantages.
The New York City Comptroller found a clear financial motive for legalization, estimating the state’s recent passage of legislation would over the next three years bring $142 million to New York City’s economy and $184 million to New York State’s economy. Similar effects could apply to legalization nationwide.
On top of all this, there is undoubtedly a moral responsibility to support gay marriage. Seeing past the homophobia, traditionalism and fundamentalism, America is a nation based around equality and fair treatment for all, and by opposing gay marriage, many men and women are limited from fully pursuing and achieving happiness.
When the moral, legal and financial motives for same-sex marriage’s legalization are examined, it is undeniably clear that states are not justified in banning same sex marriage. The Constitution and Supreme Court law permit it, and legalization would actually create tangible economic benefits.
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