Same - Sex Marriages: The Battle for Equality

The institute of marriage can have different meanings to different people and has evolved over time. According to Merriam-Webster one definition of marriage is "the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contracted relationship recognized by law". A second definition goes on to state that marriage is the state of uniting to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage. Merriam-Webster's final definition of marriage is an intimate or close union. A heterosexual couple who wants to get married must comply with a few basic requirements.

Couples must first apply for a marriage license. To obtain a marriage license, applicants must meet various age requirements, pay a fee, and participate in a waiting period before the ceremony. Some states also require various medical tests. The age requirement can often times be waived with the consent of the minors parent or legal guardian (www.usmarriagelaws.com). The basic requirements for marriage do not apply to same-sex couples. In November 2004, 11 states voted on the issue of legalizing same-sex marriages. According to the election results, most people believed that the union of marriage should be reserved solely for heterosexual couples (Kurdek, 2005). Since around 2003 some people have been working towards a constitutional amendment that would state that marriage was only between a man and a woman. Some polls have indicated that half to slightly more than have of the public would support an amendment like this (Brewer and Wilcox, 2005). By the beginning of 2006 same-sex couples were given some recognition in most European countries. They were granted full marriage rights in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Canada.