Vote for our school to get the Dell SuperProm

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Iowa Bans the Ban


What does the phrase "equal protection under the law" mean? Will this impact other states to reverse decisions?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/04/us/04iowa.html?scp=3&sq=supreme%20court&st=cse

21 comments:

M. Frank said...

I think the most outrageous part about the gay marriage issue is how most of the dissenters of the issue are against it because of their religious beliefs. There is no way around it, our country was founded on religious/cultural freedom and tolerance. Yes, there are limited moral codes we tend to abide by, such as how cannibalism is illegal, but that is just because it is disgusting and inhumane.
Another critical part of our government is the separation on church and state that we must follow. This ties into other issues such as abortion or the teaching of evolution. Gays and lesbians aren't breaking any moral laws under the constitution or humanity laws. They should be allowed to be married just like any other human couple, no exceptions. It is almost selfish for religious dissenters to wish to outlaw or ban gay marriage just because of their beliefs when it undoubtedly doesn't apply to them at all.

Gitu K. said...

When it comes to the issue of gay and lesbian marriages everyone got an open on it. About the equal protection under the law, everyone should have the right to what they want. The constitution was written back in the old days, it’s a new century, and a new era people should make the Constitution to be more modern. Issues like this will come up, and if the government doesn't act on it know then it will go out of control. Like Omar said in class the people vote for the government. If the people vote for the government, we should have the right to our own opinions. I also agree with John Ray when he said that the government can’t control everything. Yes, this is country is about there religion and most family values aren’t even support the gay society. Other people around the world look at our Us with well reputed country. If something like this was allowed God knows what they would think then. I think they should allow Gay marriages; everyone’s has the right to do what they want to questions asked.

- Gitu K.

Sana A said...

I agree, there is no way the ban will be passed. Seperation of church and state is a crucial part of our government. They cannot ignore the Constitution. Also, the politic representatives will not want to be the first to put it into effect. They have campaigns to run as well. They want to be reelected and aren't going to risk it for a ban they know is Unconstitutional.

h.sugrim said...

Most people are against gay marriages begause of religious beliefs. As for me, i dont have any so i dont care if two gay guys want to get married and do gay stuff. Under the law, they should be able to get married, even if their families are against it. This shows you that the law is higher than religious beliefs. Conneticut is the only state that allows gay marriages and their finances have been going up since every gay and lesbians are going there the get married.

A Vora said...

People from different countries came to America, searching for freedom. Statue of Liberty... symbolizes freedom. Being free & being gay doesn't really go hand in hand. But having the opportunity of being able to show who you are and expressing it does. You should be able to marry who you want. It doesn't matter who. If you love the person, than why do we need a constant from other people. Gays and Lesbians are humans also, they have rights like we all do. Gay Marriages should be legal and shouldn't be looked down upon.

L. molina said...

People have different point of views when it comes to same sex marriage. Everyone has their own beliefs of whether they think is right or wrong. Everyone has the same rights and should be allowed to marry and be with who ever they want whether its someone from the opposite sex or same sex. If the government was to do something about this then there wouldn’t be so much controversy and everyone would be good.

U. Cheema said...

Under the Equal Protection clause in the 14th Amendment there should be no further discussion from the dissenters. It is clearly written in the constitution about equality. As it says in the article “We have a constitutional duty to ensure equal protection of the law.”

As a nation built upon religious tolerance, there are many religions which people don't follow, and we are tolerant of other religious beliefs, why can't we be tolerant of gay marriages too?

Governor Paterson of New York will also introduce the bill of granting gay marriage on the floor of the New York State Assembly.

a.pervaiz said...

I believe that gay marriages should have no problem, like I have no problem if gay or lesbian people are getting married. But, when religion comes into afect, people start saying that its only okay if a man and women get married, like thats the tradition. They have eual protection under the law just like we do. This is a very hard topic to be dealt with. There are two sides to it, for it, and against it.

a.pervaiz

a.potter said...

I don't think its right to judge anyone. Everyone is made different and everyone feels different about others. People protest and fight against it because its different from what most people know and live by. When a child grows up he sees he has a mother and a father so when he goes out on the street and sees two guys kissing or two girls kissing, it looks wrong.

t alexander said...

I dont see anything wrong in gay peoples getting married. It's a people rights to do anything they want. We shouldn't judge people by their sex. Everyone have right to do under the law of constitution. When it's come to religion and culture it will affect us and the society.

K.WESTON said...

BECUASE OF MY CULTURE ON THE ISSUE OF SAME SEX MARRAIAGE I DONT THINK IT SHOULD BE ALLOWED. THE FACT THAT MAN AND WOMAN ARE MENT TO BE TOGETHER NOT MAN AND MAN OR WOMAN AND WOMAN. IF IT IS ALLOWED I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE THERE OWN THINGS FOR EXAMPLE CHRUCH. I WOULD NOT WANT MY CHILD TO BE EXPOSED TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

N. Budhu said...

Even though our nation was built on Puritan beliefs, I agree with M. Frank that there should be a separation of church and state. I think by not allowing same sex couples to be married under the law is taking away their rights. This really shouldn't be an issue. I agree with U. Cheema when he said, "As a nation built upon religious tolerance, there are many religions which people don't follow, and we are tolerant of other religious beliefs, why can't we be tolerant of gay marriages too?". Homosexuality isn't wrong, and its bigotry to believe so. Even so, as a nation we should be tolerant, It would separate it from the the rest of the world in a good way.

ndemetrius said...

I'm glad Iowa is allowing gay marriage to happen in their state. It isn't fair to citizens for their choices, It doesn't affect you or your life at all. Just let people by happy with the decisions they make. I hope in the future that more states continue to allow gay marriage

Matthew B. said...

I believe that eventhough it's starting out as a small thing in only a few states it's going to aventually end up spreading throughout the whole of America from state to state. If there is really no way or reason to stop two same sex couples to get married in the previous states what's stopping it from spreading to other states. I don't really think states should allow that to happen because it's only adding to the corruption in America's mind and mentallity. Society has taken a strong change over the years and there is really no stopping to it if things like this continue to happen and be legalized.

Anonymous said...

When ever we come across this gay/lesbian marriage talk, it seems a stupid. We can not control who someone loves and wants to marry. And banning it won’t stop people from doing it. They already have religious leaders disagreeing with them, if they can’t get married in a church or where ever they should at least be able to get married by court.


-CMartinez

ETHAN R. said...

PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MARRY WHO EVER THEY WANT(PERSON) REGARDLESS OF THE GENDER (IF THEY LOVE EACHOTHER)I dont see why gay marriage is such an issue."Yes, there are limited moral codes we tend to abide by, such as how cannibalism is illegal, but that is just because it is disgusting and inhumane."- Matthew Frank.. i totally agree with him.

A. Hughey said...

Because of the fact the states are starting to accept the gay marriages, there really isnt anything that we can do about it. The United States wants us to have equal rights and oppurtunities so they really cant get mad about the face that gays want to be married. Now the religions are a totally different story because they are totally against it and America lets us practice oyr religions freely. It can be an odd situation because we also have the freedom of speech and if religions decided that they wanted to protest against it, what exactly could America do??

K. Singh said...

Everyone has their own opinion on same sex marriage. I agree with Apeksha on how people from all around the world come to America looking for freedom. If two guys love each other and want to get married who are we to tell them to say no. Everyone is different in their own ways. I'm surprised that more states are not allowing same sex marriages after seeing Connecticut doing so well financially. Once again everyone is different in their own way and they can marry who ever they want to.

A. Rao said...

This is one of those things that defines the separation of church and state. It's also one of the crutches of American society. A land which contains nearly every culture in the world shouldn't be bound by one religious groups' convictions, no matter how large that religion may be.
However, the constitution doesn't say anything about marriage. The absence of marriage can be interpreted in different views. This country was founded on somewhat religious principles, but with a "freedom" theme.
The gay marriage decision should therefore be left to the states and their voters.

melissa B said...

Equal protection under the law means that every one has the same protection even if your gay or a lebsian.I dont think its right for states to band gay marriages there is no law that says that to people of the same sex can not get married.i think alot of states are looking at this religiously and religion is supposed ot be seprate from the law.

Jray Vicencioz said...

I think its wrong but in the same direction this is going to happen. If we really think about everyone discriminates everyone based on race and doing this because of sexual preference is just as wrong. You never see gays going against Christianity. Its absurd to think you can take a right away from someone. Matt is right that the country is built on religious values but its 2009 where equal has a new meaning so why cant we live by it.