Where Does California and New York Stand on Same-sex Marriage - Assignment Example

Where Does California and New York Stand on Same-sex Marriage? The issue on same-sex marriage has been a taboo for several decades now. Even if gays were already recognized and accepted by society today and are given equal rights and opportunities as their heterosexual counterparts, still the idea of marrying two people of the same gender is something that we cant accept. With regards to this issue, where does California and New York stand? The voting population of California approved Proposition 22 an initiative banning the bestowing of the sacrament of marriage for same-sex couples in the year 2000. On Thursday, September 25, 2005, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in California told Lynda Glendhill of Chronicle Sacramento Bureau that he would veto the legislation allowing the marriage of people with the same gender. Moreover, Schwarzenegger said that he recognizes and respects the equality and partnerships that domestic partners shares, however he will not support any rollback of the states present domestic benefits. The author of the bill, Assemblyman Mark Leno, of San Francisco criticized him by saying that the governor did not pass the test as a leader for he failed to welcome the opportunity to let Californians enjoy fair and equal treatment for same-sex couples basic civil rights. As far as the mayor of San Diego is concerned, he supports gay marriage. Just this September, The Associated Press posted an article that the mayor of the eight largest city in California, Mayor Jerry Sanders has signed a City Council resolution that vetoes Californias prohibition on same-sex marriage. Adding that years before although he was also one of the people who is against gay marriages, he said that his views have changed and that he realized that "a separate but equal institution is not something that he can still support." His statement has agitated many conservative churchgoers in his city. San Diegos conservative church goers intensely denounced the mayors new stand. It the California Governor and San Diego mayor differed in their views about same-sex marriages, San Francisco is also having a buzz about the matter. Mayor Gavin Newsom has already issued licenses to gays and lesbians which gave them permission to be married. All the marriages that were sanctioned were all voided by the California Supreme Court stating that the mayor has “overstepped” his authority by having issued licenses to same-sex couples and that the mayor has failed to observe and enforce the provisions stated under the states marriage statutes. The city mayors heart was sad and heavy as he spoke with CNN reporters. Although he disagrees, he still respects the courts decision and order. All those who were affected of the courts ruling were also disappointed. Among them was Rosie ODonnell who proudly married her long time girlfriend, saying that she is proud to have stood for gay civil rights. In the few cities in the state of California, people and its leaders have different stand about the matter. However Californians is against the idea of same sex marriages, a resolution has been made signed by leaders from San Diego, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Jose and Santa Cruz to be submitted to the California Supreme Court permitting the sanction of same-sex marriages. While in New York City, "Equal rights: No more, no less." Was the theme of New York’s Pride Parade in June where hundreds of gays and lesbians, along with their partners walked the streets of New York proudly. Visitors also joined in the festivities celebrating with their homosexual brothers and sisters. This display of attitude and behavior, shows that New York is accepting and recognizing gay civil rights, but the question is, Is New York’s stand on the marriage issue the same with Californians? One New York city judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs who argued that the city has violated their law by not allowing them to marry just like any other couple; and so, the city appealed on the judge’s ruling. This immediate response of the city only shows that even if city judges and officials are okay with the idea of sanctioning same-sex marriages, the people of New York are obviously against it. Even though, parades are an annual site showcasing all of the homosexuals in the city from near and far, the general public are not amenable of agreeing with the resolution allowing the sanction of such marriage. It is a fact that New York is a diverse and liberated city where everybody would expect that gay marriage would just be an ordinary everyday event, but on the contrary, it isn’t so. During the election season the issue on whether same-sex marriages should be allowed in the city, has created heated debates amongst law makers. Candidates and lawmakers were even divided in their stand. They are confused of whether they will be following the lead of Boston and San Francisco who already signed the resolution sanctioning same sex marriages. If Mayor Jerry Sanders of California agrees with approval of same sex marriage, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York, neither agreed nor denied whether or not he is in favor of same sex marriages without giving any response to reporter’s questions regarding his views and beliefs on the matter. Clearly, Mayor Bloomberg does not want the matter to be even more sensationalized, as it already is, with the statement of his views on the matter. As far as President Bush is concerned, he just leaves the matter to the states, which means that if the state of California is okay with the practice of same sex marriages, and if New York doesn’t then it’s fine. Both the states of California and New York are still not comfortable with the idea of joining couples of the same sex in the holy sacrament of matrimony. Although politicians in the different cities of California have signed the resolution supporting same-sex marriage, people, who are mostly conservative church goers Christians are, both in New York and California, are strongly against it, and with the various demonstrations they displayed to express their “anger and disgust” on the matter. Both the people in each state recognizes and respects gay civil rights, they just could bring themselves to accept the notion that two people with the same gender can be married, although, they can live together as domestic partners. This strong protest of the people is rooted in their belief as Christians because for several hundreds of years that gays existed, it was only in this recent century that they were given the chance to ‘live’ by being recognized and given the same civil right as with the heterosexuals. However, even if they are respected and recognized, bestowing the sacrament of married is a thought too much to bear as Christians, given the fact the both the states of California and New York, as liberated as they may seem, still hold strongly on their Christian faith. There is not much difference in the stand between the two states with regards to this issue since, the basis of the protest of both the people in each state is primarily based on their faith. Educators and church goers and even ordinary citizens are all worried about what the value and education system would be and the impact on the children if this resolution will be approved. Of course, this is already the twenty-first century and everything is possible. Who would ever think that gays would ever be recognized and accepted in the Christian world even enjoying the same civil rights as others. Both states are Christian believers and in all the years that they have lived in their respective cities, people are so used to the way that things are. Even if the dawn of gay rights has finally arrived by being accepted and recognized by society, it seems that the issue on gay-marriage is still far fetched. Why? because the rest of the general public have difficulty of opening up their minds in allowing such type of marriage to be practiced. Although Christianity is not synonymous to religiosity, the fact you are a believer already is a factor that influences your decision as to whether or not you will also join those people who believes that gays should also be granted the right and freedom to marry. On the issue of same sex marriage, the state of California and New York are diverse in their views and beliefs. What holds the resolution back in becoming a legal basis that permits the union of people with the same sex is the belief of people in remote areas of the state who still hold steadfast in their views and beliefs regarding the sacrament of matrimony. Although both states agree that people of the same sex can live together and be couples with equality in rights and opportunities, it seems that at this point in time, it is the only thing that the rest of the population can agree on. The resolution may not be unanimously approved by legislators nor be accepted by the people, if it ever passes, time will just come that it will eventually be implemented. Various readings and articles show that California and New York’s political leaders are itself divided amongst themselves. They wanted to protect the rights of ALL people, without regard to whether you prefer being with someone who is of the same sex but, because the state is not only populated by “pure” Californians and New Yorkers, they also have to consider what the rest of the “voting” population has to say about it. In the end, it seems as though that both state’s leaders are also not really concerned about the rights or of the people, it could be that they are more conscious on how they act and what they say and decide with regards the issue as it has already sparked so much debate recently. There are three identifiable groups that exists in these two states – those who are against gay marriage, those who are for gay marriage, and the politicians who are undecided. Some might have indeed signed the resolution on the passing of gay marriage, but still, their stand on the matter is not “publicly” disclosed to either protect themselves or not let the issue grow even much bigger. So, where do each stand? That is still something that both states have not really clearly established themselves. BIBLIOGRAPHY Lynda Gledhill. “Schwarzenegger Vetoes Gay Marriage Bill as Promised.” Chronicle Sacramento Bureau. Thursday, September 29, 2005. Retrieved: 22 November 2007 The Associated Press. Posted: September 20, 2007 - 12:01 am ET ©365Gay.com 2007. Retrieved: 22 November 2007 “California high court voids same-sex marriages, San Francisco mayor vows ultimate victory in appeal.”Friday, August 13, 2004 Posted: 12:26 PM EDT (1626 GMT) Retrieved: 22 November 2007 Copyright 2004 CNN. All rights reserved. Azi Paybarah. "Where They Stand on Same-sex Marriage. The Politicker. The New York Observer. April 27, 2007. Retrieved: 22 November 2007 Read More