Gay marriages in colorado - Research Paper Example

Number Research Paper-Outline I. Introduction Hook: Looking at gay marriage history and laws in Colorado and describingwhat the current laws say about same-sex marriage. Also identify the controversy between people that are for gay marriage versus those who are against it. 2. Thesis: Using information found to determine whether or not gay marriage should be legalized in Colorado. Determining how over time, this could change society in the state. Consider how many people identify as gay or lesbian and discuss any legislation.

Look at the pros and cons of gay marriage in Colorado. 3. Implications: What would legalizing gay marriage in Colorado effect citizens in the state? How many people would it effect? Why or why should it not be legalized? Evaluate equality standards and the right to marry for everyone. Consider other states that have legalized gay marriage and the effects it has had on their state. II. Defining Gay MarriageAnalyzing what gay marriage versus civil union partnerships are.Discuss previous ideas about the sanctity of marriage.

Discuss government versus religious views of gay marriageDescribe the work of any activists or other organizations that are either for or against gay marriage in Colorado. III. The Background Behind Legalizing Gay MarriageDiscuss history of the rights of gay marriage in Colorado.Describe the debate at hand of legalizing versus not legalizing gay marriage in Colorado. Discuss if there are any legislation in the works or if state legislature has passed any laws that make it okay. Discuss the legalization of gay marriage in the entire United StatesDiscuss other states that have made gay marriage legal and what the outcomes have been.IV. Describe the governments current role in same sex relationships.

Discuss how the government acts as an influence of conflict theory for the issue of gay marriage legalization in Colorado. Discuss the Minnesota Supreme Courts decision in 1970 about a same sex couple wishing to marry: Jack Baker and Michael McConnell. This was the very first time that government had to ever deal with same sex marriage as an issue. What were the results? How did this start to shape how people think about marriage?Discuss the State Supreme Court in Hawaiis first judgment in May 1993 about marriage being a basic civil right rather than gender-based discrimination.

Analyze what kind of benefits that same sex unions would receive; this includes health benefits, governmental benefits.Describe the jurisdiction of gay marriage. For example, if a couple weds in Vermont, it is considered legal in Colorado?Discuss current laws in states that have legalized gay marriage in order to describe the limitations or exclusions of having a same sex partner. Describe what kind of activities occurred in states that legalized gay marriage already such as Massachusetts, Vermont, Iowa, etc.

Would government ever treat gay marriage like the legal drinking age where it is universal throughout all states? If so, what would happen? Discuss separation of church and state and how this pertains. Discuss “All Men are Created Equal,” motto that has been adopted by the United States and how that motto plays a role in gay marriage possibilities not only in Colorado, but throughout the entire country.Analyze the Marriage Protection Act as introduced in 2007. V. Same Sex Marriages Role in SocietyHow many people would be affected by the legalization of gay marriage?

What are the feelings of anti-gay marriage groups?What are the feelings people who are gay about the legalization of gay marriage? What about their families?Evaluate views of hate groups that would perhaps use violence to show their feelings on gay marriage. Consider the goals of civil rights groups, humanitarians and people who are living examples of same sex relationships. VI. Marriage DefinedLook at how marriage is defined in society. Include the institutional structure and how it is a symbolic way to show two people that love each other.

Discuss how different religions define marriage. As much of the United States history was based on Christianity, discuss how Christians view gay marriage. Discuss any Christian organizations in Colorado that might otherwise recognize gay marriage. Discuss marriage as an entity throughout history; not just in the United States but also in other parts of the world. Even evaluate ancient beliefs of marriage as identified by scholars. Consider current divorce statistics of traditional married couples.

VII. The StigmaDiscuss other stigmas of marriage; describe the “whimsical fairytale” of a husband and wife, two kids and a dog and how that has changed since then. There are other formats that determine what a family is. Traditional roles of a marriage and a family have changed. Discuss why gay marriage is not widely accepted as something that is okay to do in the United States. Look at it from the other direction and discuss why it should be okay. Why are people so opposed to something that does not necessarily affect them?

Discuss how the ideas of functionalism in society define marriage in the western culture.Analyze how same sex marriage and domestic partnership disrupts symbolic interaction in culture. Look at the discrimination of not allowing same sex marriage. Is it considered discrimination?Are people homophobes and that is why gay marriage is often overlooked as a possibility? How is gay marriage accepted in Colorados society? Describe the difference of the ideal of gay marriage in larger metropolitan areas such as Denver or Boulder versus the views of gay marriage in more rural areas.

What does it seem like people are afraid of when it comes to the possibility of legalizing gay marriage? What do people like about the idea?VIII. ConclusionPersonal views.Hypothesis for the future.