Gay marriage

Hello everyone, in this first outing I will show several goods which are realized by permitting gay marriage. I will take the resolution in the broadest (policy) sense, although these things can be informed by ethics, law, etc. Equal protection before the law Most liberal democracies (the United States included) consider it an important social good that all stand equal before the law, and the state does not favour or persecute without good cause. Rebuttals are of course pending, but if we can demonstrate there are no good grounds for the state to favour heterosexual couples over homosexual couples, then removing this discrimination is sufficient reason for gay marriage to be permitted. In other words, if PRO fails to provide a cogent case against gay marriage, we should accept it by default. Watch this space. Satisfying the desires of those who want to get married Although not all homosexuals want to marry their partner, some do. It is fair to say that satisfying these desires will bring a great amount of happiness to these people. So this is a reason to let them do so. Welfare Marriage in the US (and elsewhere) provides a variety of legal and benefits to those married. Visiting rights when one is ill, presumptive property rights in inheritance, and joint parental responsibility for children are three common examples amongst many. Plainly these legal structures are beneficial to those who are married. Homosexual couples can accrue similar benefits.[1] (Conversely, homosexuals endure suffering linked to denial of same sex marriage and the attitudes generally underlying it).[2] Some homosexual couples raise children. The consensus of the relevant professionals is that marriage for homosexual parents will help the welfare of their children. Many homosexuals, and large numbers of children, stand to gain by permitting gay marriage.[3] Esteem and social goods Homosexuals have historically been an abused minority. Normalizing them into wider society (such as by allowing them to participate in marriages) helps correct current and past wrongs. As an added bonus, an open and tolerant society is a good in itself. Money Generally, discrimination is expensive. In the US, it is estimated that permitting gay marriage will add just under $1 billion in value to the treasury over the next ten years – small by the standards of the US government spending, but $1 billion better than nothing. So everyone is richer (literally) for permitting gay marriage.[4] [1] See The Canadian Psychological Associations position statement (2006) http://www.cpa.ca.... See generally The amici of the APA, the CPA, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov... [2] See Hatzenbuehler, M L. et al. (2009) The Impact of Institutionalized Discrimination on Psychiatric Disorders in Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Populations: A Prospective Study. American Journal of Public Health. Vol. 100, No. 3, pp. 452-459 [3] See Pawelski, J G (2006) The Effects of Marriage, Civil Union, and Domestic Partnership Laws on the Health and Wellbeing of Children. Pediatrics Vol. 118, No. 1, pp. 349-364 [4] See the CBO’s report. http://www.cbo.gov...