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A Social Debate : Same Sex Marriage (SSM)

A Battleground Conceded to Progressives in Canada, Ongoing Worldwide

Oct 6, 2008

Same sex marriage and the marital benefits conferred upon the couple are still hotly contested topics in North America and the rest of the world.

Discrimination against individuals is one of the social injustices being thoroughly targeted by legislators in the twenty and twenty-first centuries – a fight previously led by civil rights leaders and emancipators during the civil rights era. In today's society, this change is enacted by lobby groups, awareness groups, charities, NGOs, and many dedicated individual activists hoping to reduce the level of discrimination levied on persons for their personal choices.

Same Sex Marriage In Canada

On July 20th of 2005, Canada recognized the right of persons to marry their same-sex partners with the introduction and approval of the Civil Marriage Act. While opposition to the motion did exist, primarily in the form of dissent by Stephen Harper's Conservatives, the bill, Bill C-38, recieved royal assent from on July 20th, making it law.

While hotly and widely debated in Canada previous to the vote itself, the great majority of Canadians support homosexual rights and as such it came as no surprise when Paul Martin's Liberals brought forth the notion of equality in the form of the Civil Marriage Act. Opposition continues to simmer in many circles regarding this law – primarily amongst religious organizations. It should be noted, however, that the largest protestant denomination in the nation, the United Church of Canada is in complete favour of same-sex marriage. The United Church of Canada currently performs same-sex marriage ceremonies on a regular basis.

Same Sex Marriage In the United States

Typically, the United States is much more socially conservative than Canada or indeed the rest of the world – as such the notion of same sex marriage is still taboo in common parlance. During the recent debate between VP candidates Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin, both candidates agreed that while same sex civil unions would be supported, the terminology of “marriage” would still not be pursued under their respective administrations.

This statement was most likely more shocking to the Republican base, as while Democrats have a general history of supporting social liberties, the Republican base is typically much more socially conservative and many factions openly oppose homosexual rights. It must be remembered, however, that both major American federal parties are still very wary with regards to supporting same-sex marriage, keeping in mind that President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act into law in 1996, merely a little over a decade ago.

Some states have decided that the prohibition against same-sex marriage is discriminatory to individuals, and unconstitutional. Massachusetts recognized the rights of homosexuals to marry in 2004, and California following suit in 2008 – although a ballot initiative during this year's federal election carries a choice to voters between retaining same-sex marriage or repealing the Supreme Court of California ruling which enacted the concept. While many states offer the option of civil unions, the Federal Government still does not recognize same-sex marriage as legitimate, and as such the married couples in Massachusetts and California do not have access to the same benefits as their heterosexual counterparts.

If the answers given during the vice presidential debate are to be believed, both potential administrations would end this distinction and confer benefits to those couples in same-sex marriages.

Same Sex Marriage In the World Abroad

Aside from Canada, five other nations legally recognize same-sex marriage : Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, and Spain – while sixteen other nations recognize civil unions and/or registered partnerships. These nations are Andorra, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay.

Progress towards the equity of individuals with regards to their sexual orientation is evident, a change that is nearly inevitable at this point in time given the recent focus of contemporary society on social justice, equality, and the movement towards the reduction of legal prejudice and discrimination. Same-sex marriage will likely become much more commonplace during the twenty-first century, and will likely be near-ubiquitous amongst Western nations if current trends continue over the course of the next decade.