Table of Contents
The US LGBTIQA+ Community Felt Safe for Codified Same-Sex Marriage Laws
Same-sex marriage is legal nationwide in the US now, and it is a huge battle won for the LGBTIQA+
community. It is not a small fit. It all started in 2004 when it was legal in just one state. But in the next
11 years, marriage equality will spread across the nation. Now, after codify same-sex marriage in 2015,
it is legalized in all 50 states and Washington, DC, It was not easy, It went through a mix of court
decisions, ballot initiatives, and laws pushed through state legislatures.
A Brief History Of Marriage Equality
Going back, it was Massachusetts, which was the very first state to legalize marriage equality. The
legalization of same-sex marriage by the states Supreme Court forced the citizens to think beyond
what is written in books, to think and accept the concept of marriage equality, the concept of union
between gay and lesbian couples. That push was needed for exposure and a sudden shift in the publics
opinion towards this, which developed into a majority support for marriage equality.
The Ultimate Debate Surrounding Marriage Equality
Through the 1990s and 2000s, many states enacted bans on lesbian marriage or gay marriage. In no
time, these bans became the focal point of the debate in courts as Pro-LGBTIQA+ organizations like the
American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights challenged
them as unconstitutional.
Those who are supporters of marriage equality argue that codifying marriage rights for same-sex
couples provides equal treatment under the law. Not only that, but it also unlocks a host of government
benefits that help the children of same-sex couples and society as a whole.
Like the supporters, there are opponents of same-sex marriage rights, and they are very vocal. They
contend that solely permitting weddings between people of different sexes enhances the traditional
family unit by promoting natural reproduction, which is how the family line is continued, and by
encouraging parents to remain together to raise their biological children.
The argument largely came down to whether the traditional institution of marriage can change and then
should change in the US or not! But if you look at Americans history, the interpretation of marriage has
changed in the past, too. That was why the Supreme Court in June 2015 agreed it was time to change it
again and codify same-sex marriage finally nationwide.
Supreme Court in the US Rejects Bans On Same-Sex Marriages
On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court rejected all the bans on same-sex marriages in all states. This
brought marriage equality to the entire US. Marriage is a union of love, fidelity, devotion, and sacrifice,
and above all, it is the foundation of any family. Irrespective of gender and sexual orientation, all citizens
should have equal rights in marriage. Challengers wanted equal dignity in the eyes of the law, and the
Constitution granted that in full force.
The federal ban was overturned in 2013 because it went against the provisions of the Constitution and
unfairly targeted same-sex couples by denying them full access to laws governing Social Security,
housing, taxes, criminal penalties, copyright, and veterans benefits.
The court was focused and sensitive toward the thousands of children being raised by same-sex parents
and how those children are being disadvantaged, harmed, and stigmatized. It would have been cruel
and chaotic to ban same-sex marriage rights, as they were already legalized in 11 states.
Need To Codify Same-Sex Marriage
It was very much needed to codify same-sex marriage. Why? Well, with the process of codification, facts
were collected, and laws were reinstated. This was a very important step that assured protection and
security, along with respect for the LGBTIQA+ community, which is seeking gay marriages and lesbian
marriages.
Supporters of same-sex marriage argued that a ban to codify gay marriage is very wrong and
discriminatory. Not only that, but it also violates the US Constitutions 14th Amendment. Proponents of
marriage equality claim that because certain jurisdictions have banned same-sex marriage, married
couples are not afforded the same access to important advantages that the state provides for married
couples.
For example, in states without marriage equality, same-sex couples were not able to jointly file
for taxes, inherit a partners estate upon death without paying an estate or gift tax, or make important
medical decisions for their partners.
Conclusion
The institution of marriage has changed many times in the past. The roles varied from civilization to
civilization and era to era throughout human history. Previously, arranged marriages were more
prevalent in the US.
Then, throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the dominance of love marriages
was seen in the West. In this transition from arranged to chosen marriages, the institution of marriage
witnessed vast societal and psychological changes.
In the early 20th century, bans on interracial marriages were taken away too. This proves that the
institution of marriage went through many changes. So, this change was inevitable and had to be
established by codify same-sex marriage!
