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Amy Winkler
Major:Visual Arts
Class of 2010
Same-sex marriage is one of the most pressing issues that is often discussed
within America, and especially during the time in which Presidential candidates are
presenting their platforms for election. There are split opinions throughout the country on
the subject, however each Presidential candidate has an opinion and will make lifechanging decisions concerning this issue if and when they are elected. John McCain is
currently representing the Republicans, and between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama,
who represent the Democrats, I feel that Barack Obama seems to have a more specific
opinion and plan for the issue. Depending on which candidate is elected, the country
could change drastically.
Barack Obama, a Democratic candidate, supports civil unions for same-sex
couples and believes that they should receive all of the same federal benefits as
heterosexual couples do, as seen in this quote by him: “And finally, an area that I’m very
interested in is making sure that federal benefits are available to same-sex couples who
have a civil union. I think as more states sign civil union bills into law the federal
government should be helping to usher in a time when there’s full equality in terms of
what that means for federal benefits” (Eleveld). He further explains that he is interested
in repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, which currently prohibits federal benefits
because it does not allow the Federal Government to recognize same-sex marriages
regardless if individual states do, and also prohibits states from recognizing a same-sex
marriage even if it is recognized in another state.
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However, even if complete equality is met for all, Obama understands that civil
unions may still be considered unequal because it would not be called “marriage.” He
states that it would be the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community that would
need to decide how far they want to push for what they think is right for them. In
addition, to continue to try to make truly equal rights for all, he would also eliminate the
current “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy within the military: “I reasonably can see “don’t ask,
don’t tell” eliminated. I think that I can help usher through an Employment NonDiscrimination Act and sign it into law” (Eleveld).
If Obama is elected as President, families will be greatly affected. Initially and
perhaps the most obvious would be that many couples will be united and allowed to live
happily and as they want to. In addition to that, however, two issues regarding families
that will be forever changed are healthcare and adoption. Same-sex couples are currently
denied a lot of health rights and some include the right to visit their spouse in the hospital
and make medical decisions for them, the right to each other’s health insurance, and the
legal right to receive unpaid leave to care for a spouse if they become ill. Because health
insurance affects what kind of medical attention someone can receive, and very often one
spouse is covered under the other’s insurance, the quality of medical attention same-sex
couples receive will increase immensely.
Adoption and childcare will also change drastically. Currently, in most states only
single-parent adoptions are legal for homosexuals, but not joint adoption. This means,
that one spouse would be able to adopt a child. However, that child would not be able to
be claimed by both parents involved in the relationship, but many gay couples choose this
single adoption since joint adoption is not allowed. This causes many complications, one
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of the most prominent being that if one parent dies, the other parent involved cannot
legally claim the child, and the child could end up in alternative care rather than with
their parent. And although the single adoption is an option it is also difficult to go
through and so many couples cannot adopt. If same-sex couples were allowed to adopt as
heterosexual couples do, many children would find a great home to live in and the child,
as well as the couple’s life would be very much enriched. If Obama was elected, this very
well could eventually no longer be a problem.
John McCain, the Republican candidate, on the other hand feels differently
toward same-sex marriage. He does not support same-sex marriage overall, but does feel
that legislation should be left up to the individual states. He has no plans on trying to gain
federal support towards same-sex couples but voted “no” on a constitutional ban on
same-sex marriage. However, while he was in the Senate, he voted “no” on extending the
definition of hate crimes to include sexual orientation and “no” on prohibiting job
discrimination based upon sexual orientation (John). He also plans to keep the military’s
“don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in effect, stating: “We have the best-trained, most
professional, best- equipped, most efficient, most wonderful military in the history of this
country, and I'm proud of every one of them. There just aren't enough of them, so I think
it would be a terrific mistake to even reopen the issue. The policy is working” (John).
This is in direct opposition to Obama, who makes it very clear that he wants to
eliminate inequality within the workforce and military. If McCain were elected President,
all of the current adoption, childcare and healthcare issues would still be severely
problematic. Even if individual states grant the right for same-sex marriage, couples
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would still have great difficulty adopting, and have issues with healthcare because of
continued lack of federal recognition throughout the country.
I, personally, agree with Obama’s standpoint on the issue of same-sex marriage. I
am glad that, whether it is known as marriage or not, same-sex couples will have all of
the same federal benefits as other couples, as well as full rights within the military, the
workforce, etc. I do not support McCain’s position on matters considering gay rights,
specifically his decisions on not to include sexual orientation as part of job
discrimination, or within hate crimes. However, if he is elected I am glad that he will
leave the decision of same-sex marriage to the states. Although, I strongly believe that
same-sex couples should receive recognition and support federally, at least it will not be
banned. These issues would currently not directly affect my personal family, besides
satisfying something I and other family members feel passionately about, but it would
affect some of my friends, and of course if I have a child in the future that is homosexual,
it would directly affect my family and my child.
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Works Cited
Barack Obama. 16 April 2008. <http://www.barackobama.com>
Eleveld, Kerry. “Obama Talks All Things LGBT With The Advocate.” 10 April 2008.
<http://www.advocate.com>
John McCain. 16 April 2008. <http://www.johnmccain.com>
“John McCain on Civil Rights.” 31 March 2008.
<http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/John_McCain_Civil_Rights.htm>
“LGBT Rights and Recognition.” 16 April 2008. <http://www.afsc.org/lgbt/default.htm>