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| AP Photo Archive |
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| An unidentified lesbian couple watches the gay marriage debate in the Senate Committee on State Affairs on May 19 in Austin, Texas. |
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This November, more states may sanction gay marriages as voters in Texas, South Dakota and Tennessee vote on a possible amendment to their states’ constitutions banning same-sex marriage.
Gay marriage is currently sanctioned only in the state of Massachusetts, after the state legislature ruled same-sex marriage legal. Both Vermont and Connecticut allow civil unions to be performed for same-sex couples. Other areas have no explicit legislation prohibiting the union of same-sex couples including New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia. At least 40 states, however, have statutes banning gay marriage.
Idaho is one of 23 states that passed a law in response to the passage of “Defense of Marriage Act” which defines marriage as the union between a man and a woman and does not recognize marriages between same-sex couples from other jurisdictions.
According to a national study involving 443 adults conducted in March, 68 percent of participants said that same-sex marriages should not be recognized by the law or have the same rights as traditional marriages. A mere 28 percent said that same-sex marriages should be recognized, and 4 percent had no opinion.
The debate has become a religious, moral and social conflict of interest. The United Church of Christ is the first mainline Christian denomination to endorse gay marriage after passing an “equal rights for all” resolution. The Unitarian Universalist Association and the Metropolitan Community Church also support same-sex unions.
Sterling Pangburn, a sophomore from Roseburg, Ore., feels that allowing “gay marriage” would not be redefining marriage. Although he personally does not endorse such unions, he feels that civil unions should not be prohibited in legislation.
“People should familiarize themselves with the matter, and actually get out and vote,” Pangburn said. “Too many people complain about the way things are, but don’t do anything to change it.”
