Marriages and relationships among the same sex people have long been considered a taboo in many societies in the United States and the world as a whole. However, the Supreme Court landmark ruling in the year 2015 that legalized the unions and marriages of gays and lesbians changed all that. The Supreme Court argued that the act of illegalizing and refusal of granting marriage certificates of such relations be a violation of the constitutions Clauses of Due Process and Equal Protection. In addressing the issue, it is clear that that the Americans views on the same-sex relationships and the gender orientations are changing. The opinion on the sexual tolerance variations in the United States is however varied differently amongst many people.
The Supreme Court ruling on the same-sex marriage left some people with feelings that the changes in the law are not right. In his ruling statement, Justice Kennedy stated that marriage is a keystone to the social order in our society and that when the people asked for equal dignity in the eyes of the law, they ought to be given as the constitution grants them the very right. From a personal perception, and the fact that I am neither pro nor against same-sex marriage, I feel that the ruling by the Supreme Court was the right thing to do. The people have got the freedom to choose from what they deem fit to provide them the satisfaction or the happiness they seek to pursue in their lives, as long as it does not interfere with others. Despite the federal government recognizing the same-sex marriage, many states across the country have blocked the new law citing that it contradicts the nature, or the states laws or even the religious beliefs at some states.
The United States, being an epitome of cultural diversity has different perception regarding the crucial social issues that affects the society. Most Americans are tolerating the different types of sexual orientation such the gay and lesbian relationships. With this in mind, it is also vital to point out the fact that there is a myriad of Americans who are opposed to such relations and are against the sexual orientations that are not straight. There are numerous cases today where lesbian and gay kid and youth are subjected to harassment and bullying by their peers on the grounds that they are different from the others based on their sexual orientation. Such acts bullying and the unfair criticism in the society are driving the affected into excluding themselves socially or even committing suicide (Burns, 2015). Institutions such as the religious are worsening the already grave situation by subjecting criticism to the same sex relationship persons.
Studies conducted on the opinions and the attitudes of the American people show that there is a constant change regarding the perception of the same-sex marriages. In a poll conducted in 2016, Pew Research found that the same-sex marriage had a popular support from the Americans with 55% of them supporting it as when compared to those whose opinion were rigid and against the same-sex marriage with the support of 37% (Pew Research Center, 2016). Statistic provided by Pew Research show that there has been a steady increase in support for same-sex marriage since 2001 where the Americans have opposed the same-sex marriage by a margin of 57% to 35% which is as almost as 2016s poll. This is attributable to the fact that the new generation differs with the older generation on their views regarding the issue. With new generation becoming inclined to be more benevolent, the older generation is observed to be changing and are supportive to the peoples sexual orientation and gender roles. (Pew Research Center, 2016).
In spite the fact that most Americans attitudes regarding the sexual orientations are changing, there is a huge divide in the attitudes among people of different political party identification. In a Pew Research Center polling conducted in 2016, 70% of the Democrats supported same-sex marriage, 61% of the Independent were of the same opinion with 33% of the Republican being in favor of the same-sex marriage. The religious people are more inclined to upholding their orthodox views and are sternly against the gay and lesbian unions and the same-sex marriages. However, in the recent past, there has been some support for the same-sex marriages amongst the white Protestants and black evangelists according to an observation by the Pew Research Center. According to the data from Pew Research Centre, as of 2016, 27 % of the White evangelical Protestants, 64% of White Mainline Protestants, 39% of Black Protestants, 58% of the Catholics, and 80% Americans of no particular affiliation supported the same-sex marriages in the United States.
From the above discussion, it is clear that the attitudes and perspective of the American people are changing towards the recognition of same-sex unions and the other sexual orientation in the society. In its bid to recognize the peoples opinions and the compulsion to .pass the same-sex marriage laws, the federal government has promoted the participation of women in the armed forces which is an indication that the American people are changing their attitudes and views on the gender choices and sexual orientation in the United States. Despite such changes amongst the millions of Americans and support from political parties and people of different political ideologies, the religious institutions are still challenging the issues of same-sex marriages, but with time they are going to change their views (Pew Research Center, n.d). With more than 200,000 women in active duty in the armed forces, 69 of whom are admirals and general, (CNN, 2013) it is an indication that the American perception regarding the sexual orientation and tolerance of gender roles is changing in a positive nature.
References
CNN (2013). By the numbers: Women in the U.S. military
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/24/us/military-women-glance/index.html/Joel Burns: It Gets Better, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax96cghOnY4
Pew Research Centre. Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage http://www.pewforum.org/2016/05/12/changing-attitudes-on-gay-marriage/
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