Gay marriage

C1: Gay marriage improves health The number of visits by gay men to health clinics dropped significantly after same-sex unions were allowed in the state Massachusetts. [1] This basically says that this may be a correlation between marriage (makes happiness) and health. Researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health surveyed the demand for medical and mental health care from 1,211 gay men registered with a particular health clinic in the 12 months prior to the change, and the 12 months afterwards. They found a 13% drop in healthcare visits after the law was enacted. [1] So when the SSM law was passed medical visits went down, therefore they got healthier. The study backs up earlier research that showed that banning gay marriage had a negative effect the health of homosexuals. [2] banning it has bed effects. C2: Marriage is a right The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, on November 19, 2003, ruled that the state "failed to identify any constitutionally adequate reason" to deny gay persons the right to marry [3] That right there says the RIGHT to marry. That has changed with the historic decision by a federal judge in California, Vaughn Walker, that said his state's ban on same-sex marriage violated the 14th Amendment's rights to equal protection and due process of law. [4] Saying that SSM bans are unconstitutional. It is a human right, and should be treated as one [5] C3: Children benefit from gay marriage. Children of married gay parents benefit directly from knowing that their future holds the prospect of marriage [7] Allowing same-sex couples to marry legally would offer significant benefits to children in both gay and straight households [7] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2000 there were at least 160,000 same-sex couple households with children. The figure is likely an undercount, Rauch said, but those children would benefit directly from same-sex marriage. [7] C4: Allowing SSM would lower discrimination As i have said marriage is a right, not allowing them to marry is discrimination. The decision by the California State Supreme Court to uphold Proposition 8 and reinstate discrimination against same-sex couples was a devastating setback on the march to equality. [8] banning gay marriage = discrimination therefore allowing it is less discrimination. Gay couples are asking for a chance to play by the rules. We can give them that chance. For those of us who are proud of our party's and our state's reputation for fairness and against discrimination, our choice is very clear: No on Proposition 8. [9] once again SSM = discrimination, so allowing i would lower the amount. C5: gay marriage is good for the economy Let's look at Iowa The legalization of same-sex marriage in Iowa has provided an ecnomic boost to the state, according to a new study by UCLA. The study was released by the Williams Institute, a think tank at the UCLA School of Law which focuses on sexual orientation and public policy. It found that since Iowa extended marriage rights to same-sex couples in 2009, the resulting spending on wedding arrangements and tourism provided an additional $12 to $13 million to the state and local economy. [10] c/p from source. During the three-year period, the researchers project that about half of the state's more than 100,000 same-sex couples will get married and another 68,000 out-of-state couples will travel to California to exchange vows. The nuptial rush is expected to create some 2,200 jobs. [11] c/p from source. conclusion: It helps the economy, ends discrimination, gives rights, is good for health, benefits children, and in my opinion there is no real reason to keep it banned, please vote pro. sources: http://www.bbc.co.uk... [1] http://www.newser.com... [2] http://law2.umkc.edu... [3] http://www.nytimes.com... [4] http://heinonline.org...= [6] http://www.ur.umich.edu... [7] http://www.now.org... [8] http://reason.com... [9] http://abcnews.go.com... [10] http://www.cbsnews.com... [11]