ITS JUST COPY AND PASTE

Name

Fai

Source 1

“A Contentious Debate: Same-Sex Marriage in the U.S.” is a research paper submitted by the PEW research center on July 9, 2009.( Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project, 2009)

Authors credentials purpose and audience

The author, David Masci, is a senior research fellow at Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life. The purpose of his paper is to give an overview of the current state of gay marriage in the U.S. the paper’s target audience is the general American population.

Content summary

The report seeks to address current and past efforts by members on both sides of the divide- those for and against same-sex marriage. As of 2009 10 states had legislation legalizing same-sex marriage while 29 states had legislation prohibiting the same. The big win for the proponents came as President’s Barack Obama grant of family medical leave and other benefits to the same-sex partners of federal workers. (Goldberg, 2008) The author deems the battle to have been won by the supporters of same-sex marriage. This is supported by California Supreme Court’s decision on May 2009 to uphold Proposition 8 constitutionality. (Masci, 2009)

Article evaluation

States passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that defined marriage as union between one man and one woman. This was asserted in 1996 when Congress passed a federal DOMA that stated that no state should be compelled to recognize a same-sex union performed in another state. Same-sex marriage supporters argue on the basis of non-discrimination and equality while those who oppose cite the social impact of legalization (Masci, 2009).

Article reflection

As a reflection, public polls and surveys conducted in the past few years indicate that the majority of Americans oppose the legalization of gay marriage. The biggest opposing faction is religious groups. The ratios, however, have been shifting in favor of the supporters. This may represent an ideological change amongst Americans and a turning point for the nation.

discussion

The road ahead seems that the debate on same-sex marriage will remain a hotly contested issue. The best course of action is to have a committee review the stand on same-sex marriage objectively and inclusively to come up with a position that will be the position of the American people.

Name

Fai

Source 2

“Gay marriage showdown” is a scholarly article by Kenneth Jost published on the CQ Researcher on September 26, 2008.

Authors credentials purpose and audience

The author Kenneth Jost is an adjunct professor at Harvard College and Georgetown University Law Center. He has authored The Supreme Court Yearbook and is the editor of The Supreme Court from A to Z. the author wishes to discuss same-sex marriage legalization in different states with the residents and legislators in these states.

Content summary

The paper addresses the looming showdown between proponents and opposes same-sex marriage. It recounts the victory of those pushing for equal rights for same-sex marriage as those of opposite-sex couples. The summary expresses the proponents as the winners but emphasizes the resolve of the opposing council to not rest till the current laws has been repealed. The summary is brief but precise, offering a clear insight as to the subject matter.

Article evaluation

The author’s evaluation of the issues raised is critical. To support his claims is the current legislation in 10 states where same-sex marriage has been legalized. However as of the 2010 census, the U.S Census Bureau did not recognize same-sex couples (Murray, 2008). The chronology of events that led up to the current standoff are outlined. Principal among them is the fallacy that associated AIDS with same-sex marriage leading to legislation that illegalized it in 1970(Jost, 2008).

Article reflection

It is important to note that the continuous upheaval regarding the matter is detrimental to the nation. Tyler Clementi’s suicide is but an example. The prolonged court cases such as that of DOMA that was before the Boston appeal court need to be resolved.

discussion

the debate on same-sex marriage just heated up some more with the input of the presidency and the hardline stand of most of the religious groups. The appropriate course of action is to have a committee review the stand on same-sex marriage objectively and inclusively to come up with a position that will be the position of the American people thus putting the whole issue to rest.