This is an assignment. (KF)
Storified by AWSS 240 · Tue, Feb 21 2017 04:18:09
Through continuous activism towards gay rights with various methods such as protests,organizations, same-sex marriage is one of the rights, which have been gained, in the recent years within the gay community. In 2015, in the Supreme Court the humanity of gay people was used to justify the legalization of same-sex marriage. The idea that marriage is about more than just the opposite gender,there is more that goes into a relationship, children are not always a product of marriage and not a requirement for it. There are people that have committed to their relationships for life but not allowed to be married according to social standards. People who were separated from their partners in hospitals,denied death certificates, and set backs to adopting children and more issues. Activists and supporters continued to work towards fairness and legalization slowly began to increase throughout the nation, state by state.
Something that might have been categorized as funny and/or impossible was now changing from court to court. . .
If you had told me in 2004 that America would have a black president, universal health care, and gay marriage by 2015, I would have laughed
Then overall through the nation same-sex marriage was legalized!!
I am overwhelmed with joy! It's feels good to be an American in all 50 states! There's still more to do, but I'm celebrating today! #LOVE
Being that it was so recent, we are still seeing the various effects same sex marriage is having within our society. In the following article by Corinne Segal, she expresses the evidence from JAMA Pediatrics that supports the idea that same-sex marriage laws are linked to fewer youth suicide attempts. States were shown to decrease by more than 5% in some cases after the same-sex marriage laws were legalized, before it was legalized nationwide. The states in which same-sex marriage was not legalized there was not a change in the suicide rates. Segal brings up the suicide being the 10th leading cause of death in the US and second for people between the ages of10-24. This is a very significant impact on our society and great to see some progression towards fairness has caused other positive social change. It is shown that the gay community is affected more by suicide than straight youth.These studies support the idea that social policy can impact mental health and specifically false stereotypes of the gay community being identified as “unfit”for marriage or parenthood, as argued by Dr. Herdt. As Corinne Segal concludes“regardless of political views, I think everyone can agree that reducing adolescent suicide attempts is a good thing.”
In fear of another historic social change, the recent presidential inauguration sparked a wave of same sex marriage, which is explored by Jamieson. The Supreme Court nominees were causing fear in citizens within the gay community that the right to get married might be revoked with our new and sometimes radical president. This concern seems to have sparked many other couples to get married in recent months. People working at civil rights groups for the LGBT community get hundreds of calls of people worried about same-sex marriage laws. Some people fear their marriages being null and voided if it took place after the inauguration. Although many argue that it is unlikely for the same-sex marriage law to be revoked, it is an understandable concern, which has lead to an increase in same-sex marriage.
This historic social change has added even more fuel to the fight towards same-sex equality in other parts of the world such as in Asia. Tolan explores the idea thatTaiwan aims to be the first Asian country with same-sex marriage. This bill that is being pushed in Taiwan is also allowing same-sex couples to adopt children. Tolan makes clear that Taiwan is viewed as one of the most gay-friendly places in Asia. In 2013 the marriage equality bill failed to pass.The support has continued to be acquired, even through tragic events such as a gay French professor who committed suicide in Taipei after the death of hisTaiwanese partner, which sparked even more support for same-sex marriage. There is a debate of whether a completely different law should be passed or a change to the civil code governing family law. Through continuing to participate in street demonstrations, lobbying, and strengthening the support I believe the change is near.
