Gay Marriage And Same Sex Marriage Essay - 1531 Words

Same Sex Marriage Introduction What is marriage? According to Dictionary.com marriage is â€Å"any of the diverse forms of interpersonal union established in various parts of the world to form a familial bond that is recognized legally, religiously, or socially, granting the participating partners mutual conjugal rights and responsibilities†(Dictionary.com). Everyone knows that gays haven’t been treated like others not saying â€Å"normal† people because, no one is normal. Going back into history gays weren’t accepted in any state.†Homosexuality was still classified as s disorder, sodomy was illegal in nearly every state, and most gay men and lesbians lived in secrecy†(Eckholm). In 2003 is when the first state Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules that gays and lesbian couples the right to marry. Starting out in 1967 a same sex couple applies for a marriage license, and yes they got denied because the applicants both were men. This was in Hennepin County. At the time gays were not accepted into the world like they are now. Not everyone stills accepts them but they have better respect than before. Once that had happened Baker enrolled into law school trying to make this marriage happen. After that appeared to be a Supreme Court Case Baker v. Nelson. They lost their case in a one sentence dismissal. Of course the couple didn’t stop then, making some legal changes to a gender neutral name, they finally obtained their marriage license in a different county in 1971Show MoreRelatedGay Marriage And Same Sex Marriage1412 Words   |  6 PagesThe Shifting American Viewpoints towards Same-Sex Marriage in the Twenty-first Century prompting an opening of the debate with a stacking feeling of enthusiasm. In this task, I would like to be fit for refining the paramount purposes of argue between both for and against same-sex marriage and additionally the legitimate issues that are included in this subject. There are sure essential indic ates that this is important, consider in the civil argument furthermore the equality for all Americans. FurthermoreRead MoreGay Marriage : Same Sex Marriage1611 Words   |  7 PagesRunning Head: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE NATIONALLY Same-Sex Marriage Nationally Makenzie L. Griffin Albia Community School District Authors Note This paper was prepared for government, period 2, taught by Mrs. Peterson. Abstract Same-sex marriage nationally has become more and more common now than it used to be in the nineteen-eighty’s. There are many organization groups that help spread the word about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues and why it is wrong to discriminate againstRead MoreGay And Same Sex Marriage963 Words   |  4 PagesThe topic of gay (or same-sex) marriage has been a controversial topic throughout the nation for many years. Like most issues, different people have opposite views on the idea of the subject. Some states governments support the idea while others are totally against it. Also, within each individual state there are people that have their own opinion of the issue. Both supporters and opponents within the states have tried to pass different amendments to established laws, in which reflect their viewsRead MoreGay Marriage And The Right Of Same Sex Marriage1387 Words   |  6 Pagescontroversy regarding the right of same-sex marriage. I decided to expl ore the views of two different authors who contrast each other. British Author, Andrew Sullivan writes the essay, â€Å"For Gay Marriage† about equal rights on marriages for same-sex couples. William J. Bennett composes the essay, â€Å"Against Gay Marriage† giving his views on why couples of the same sex should not be allowed to engage in marital relations. Sullivan supports the idea of gay marriages while Bennett opposes the idea. ReferringRead MoreAre Same-Sex Marriages Cool or ‘Gay?’ An Argument for Same-Sex Marriage1733 Words   |  7 Pagesdaily basis. Same-sex marriage should be nationally legalized in the United States with a law or an amendment because it is a step closer to equality for everyone. There are many obstacles in the way of the national legalization of same-sex marriage. The most prevalent of these are the government’s current laws on the subject. Some of the laws that the government has ‘protecting marriage’ a re nothing short of barbaric. Another obstacle to the national legalization of same-sex marriage is the currentRead MoreGay Marriage Should Be Legalized Same Sex Marriage931 Words   |  4 Pagesright to marriage for same-sex couples in the state† (Jost, Gay Marriage Showdowns). However, there were people who opposed same-sex couples being allowed to marry and Proposition 8 was soon after introduced. Proposition 8 would be presented on ballots later that year and would amend the state constitution legalizing same-sex marriage and allow only for a man and a woman to be married (Jost, Gay Marriage Showdowns). However, California was not the first state to allow same-sex marriage. In 2003Read MoreA Brief Note On Gay Marriage And Same Sex Marriage2156 Words   |  9 Pages Same Sex Marriage Emmberle Finley University of Alabama at Birmingham â€Æ' Overview on Gay Marriage Homosexual is defined as a sexual attraction between two people of the same sex. People hear the word homosexual when a topic about two people of the same gender being sexually attracted to one another. People usually relate to gay women as lesbians or bisexual. Bisexual means to like the same sex gender just as much as the opposite. If a person is bisexual then they date both men and women. A womanRead MoreSame Sex Marriage And Gay Rights2277 Words   |  10 Pagesrecently the courts have made sweeping changes over the past two decades in laws defining whether marriage is limited to relationships between a man and a woman or is extended to same sex couples. Gay marriage and gay rights are a major controversy in the world today. It is a constant debate on whether or not traditional marriage is out-of-date and that a new way is better. Although many believe in gay rights, it is difficult to support something that is against the foundation of America, and somethingRead More Gay, Le sbian and Bisexual Issues - Same-sex Marriage is Inevitable1170 Words   |  5 PagesSame-sex Marriage is Inevitable      Ã‚  Ã‚   For many parents, the marriage of their child is a very happy and proud time. Most parents expect their children to get married and have children. But what if their child is gay or lesbian? Their child may have met the perfect person to spend their life with, but their child cannot get legally married. Same-sex couples can hold wedding ceremonies, but the law does not recognize these unions. Many heterosexuals take for granted the benefits that are extendedRead MoreShould Gay Marriage Be Legal Defense And Education Fund Supports Same Sex Marriage?1085 Words   |  5 Pagescontroversial issues, one of which is legalizing same-sex marriage. In their article, â€Å"Talking About the Freedom to Marry: Why Same-Sex Couples Should Have Equality in Marriage,† the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund supports same-sex marriage. An opposing view, is given by Robert P. George, a Princeton University professor. In his article, â€Å"The 28th Amendment: It Is Time to Pro tect Marriage, and Democracy, in America,† he explains why he is against same-sex marriage. The Lambda Legal Defense and Education

Abraham Stoker and Theater - 1231 Words

Abraham (Bram) Stoker began his life bedridden, weak, and helpless. Stoker, third of seven children, was born in Clontarf, a suburb of Dublin, on November 8, 1847 (Whitelaw 9). His parents were Abraham Stoker, from Dublin, and Charlotte Mathilda Blake Thornley, who was raised in County Sligo (â€Å"Bram Stoker†). He spent most of his early childhood laying in bed, watching his brothers and sisters play outside through a dusty old window. â€Å"As a child, he wondered if he would get sicker--if he would end up dying† (Whitelaw 10). He could fully comprehend the definition of misery by the age of ten. Stoker was considered lucky, given his paralyzed condition, to have a mother who sat by his bedside telling his stories to keep his mind off of his illness. He grew up fantasizing about vampires and fairies in Irish tales. It is not very shocking to see that, because he grew up around misery, he became so intrigued with dark literature. His mother built the foundation that Stoker would later build his theatrical/literary empire on. His love for theater introduced him to the literary world. Stoker’s work and interest with theater is what eventually led him to become so involved with Gothic Literature. He was not fully capable of his writing abilities until after he enrolled in college. â€Å"[Stoker] enrolled at Trinity, a highly respected college of the University of Dublin, in 1863† (18). He was a very athletic student; rugby, football, swim, and crew were the sports that earned him an awardShow MoreRelatedEssay about Bram Stoker1449 Words   |  6 PagesBram Stoker Bram Stoker unleashed his horrific creation on an unsuspecting world over one hundred years ago. One could hardly imagine that his creature of the night would delight and inhabit the nightmares of every generation between his and ours. Count Dracula has become an icon of evil, and is perhaps the most widely recognized bogeyman in all of world literature. To date, there have been over one hundred films made about Dracula or other assorted vampires, not to mention countless novelsRead MoreComparing Dracula And Mary Shelley s Dracula And Frankenstein 1933 Words   |  8 Pageswritten in the Gothic style. The authors of Dracula and Frankenstein each experienced many hardships in their life. Some that may have affected the themes used in their novels, and some continued to affect them after the novels were published. Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley are two authors that shaped the Gothic genre into the deep, dark, and thrilling category it is today. Mary Shelley was born in London, England on August 30, 1797. Her parents were William Godwin, her father, a philosopher and political

Societies have evolved a variety of structures for settling disputes Free Essays

Settling disputes is a major part of politics and social control, which are vital for the harmonious function of any society. Different societies achieve this in different ways. In western state society formal offices are held and people given authority to judge and implement punishment or resolution. We will write a custom essay sample on Societies have evolved a variety of structures for settling disputes or any similar topic only for you Order Now At the other end of the spectrum are the egalitarian societies, where authority is non-existent, no-one has any power to make anybody do anything, and inequality is very actively discouraged. There are a vast array of structures that come between the two extremes for example those that have a mixture of formal offices and informal methods. This essay examines first the structured court system of western state society, and then the less structured but still formal method of dispute settlement used by the Zapotec people of the Ralu’a village (or pueblo) in South America. This comparison shows that even though there are formal institutions in place in both societies, which may initially seem a poor comparison, however the objective with which they are used varies greatly and they are used to very different effect. The essay concludes that although we may initially think the more personalised approach of the Zapotec may have a more favourable outcome regarding social cohesion, it has to be recognised that such methods may not be practical or necessary in our western state society. First to consider is our own Western system for settling disputes. Western state society has a regulatory court system in which there are an extensive number of laws and sanctions that are formally codified (Peoples Bailey, 2003). Our formalised system of regulation courts allows the use of physical coercion and the use of sanctions should people deviate from the norms that are ascribed to society. Different courts deal with differing types of disputes. The ability to settle a dispute is left almost exclusively to authority, and authority is central to the system’s success. We have many appointed offices of people in authority to the general public, for example judges, police officers, which have power to manipulate and coerce others legitimately. The extensive set of depersonalised laws prevents the settling of disputes in ways that violate the legal principle of the culture, such as violence. Even verbal arguments in public may be considered breach of the peace, an offence for which people can be arrested and reprimanded. Disputes are turned into a very formal depersonalised matter, with the onus on discovering fault, placing blame and punishment; provocation for an act may be somewhat taken into account, but at the end of the day if you were provoked into doing wrong you still did wrong, and are still punished. Western state society court systems also serve as a preventative measure by making acts that could result in dispute illegal. For example, a person’s property is protected through procedural laws regarding theft; laws against violence deter physical fights; people can even be fined for noise offences. Thus the system has a preventative element by not allowing things that aggravate or are even an expression of a dispute. Disputes can also be avoided through the use of restraining orders decreeing that a person may not go within a certain distance of anyone else; anything considered as breaching the peace or any law is a punishable offence regardless of the consequences. It is the consequences of individuals actions, not social disharmony, that motivates individuals toward a peaceful society. There is a great emphasis on power, control and authority. Breaking a law, however trivial, are still punished simply because they are forbidden. Recent emphasis on a ‘zero tolerance’ strategy, a strategy where any act that potentially threatens authority, control and peace in society is punished. Punishment is not solely aimed at providing compensation, but importance is placed on punishment and reprimanding those in breach of the law, the idea of justice is paramount. Laws are in general absolute and universal; there is little room for movement in light of factors leading up to an act. Consider the murder convictions- there is a murder classified on a number of levels according to intent, intention and so on. Even the extenuating circumstances are formally codified. This is perhaps because of the size and anonymous nature of society- the idea of controlling a vast number and variety of people is more important than harmony and future relationships; a dispute does not have the same potential impact as in a small close knit society for societal relations. The only way to maintain harmony is via numerous substantive and procedural laws, and having total control over dispute settlements. How effective is the Western system? Through such extensive substantive and procedural laws we accept we are not in control of situations. There is an authority that can sort out disputes without things escalating too dangerously, and responsibility is removed from both disputants. However, I would consider it very rare if one person were to pass another person in the street that they had sued and they’re to be any chance of a friendly exchange. The onus on placing blame means that one party is exonerated and the other incriminated, which can breed resentment. There is a clear cut line between right and wrong defined and decreed in the written procedural laws. Punishment for crimes are universal and there is clear legal principle that individuals are expected to adhere to. Deviance is punished regardless of its impact on society, instilling a code of conduct and the power of authority, which can work as a preventative measure. Punishments such as incarceration and fines may instil bitterness and a desire for revenge. The dispute is not really settled; more that blame has been officially placed and the plaintiff compensated. In comparison are the Zapotec Indians of Ralu’a village in South America studied by Laura Nader (Spradley McCurdey, 2003). The Zapotec have a number of levels for settling disputes. They have a mediation court system, but a number of more informal methods that are encouraged before court is reached. There are a number of implicit procedural laws, but settlements are usually made on a case-by -case basis with no formalised codifying. Their basic legal principle is â€Å"to make the balance†. Our western legal systems focus primarily on placing blame, finding fault, and a relevant punishment for going against the culture’s legal principle. The Zapotec are more concerned with maintaining the balance, finding a peaceful resolution, and the future relationships involved. Their aim is not to punish potential threats to the control of the state government but to maintain a harmonious, cohesive community. If someone has wronged another the aim of the Zapotec system is to provide a solution that suits all, so people do have to pay fines and there are consequences for actions, but they work to find a balance between justice and resentment. There are formalised institutions, of which there are a number of levels, for which disputes in Ralu’a can be settled, depending on the extent of the dispute and its seriousness. The first port of call is to take the dispute to the town hall, or municipio, to go before a group of principales and the presidente. The principales are a group of 13 nominated men that form an advisory group. Each year 3 men are nominated for the position of village chairman, the presidente. Although the system is technically a formal system, informality is maintained through the positions in the municipio being democratically decided and member being nominated. This way individual’s taking their case to the municipio are more likely to respect the final settlement as those who are mediating are respected individuals, chosen by the community. The Zapotec have an interesting way of reining in the most problematic individuals by way of making them members of the town police, the head of which is the sindico, who is also responsible for running the communal work program of the pueblo. The policia consists of 12 members under two lieutenants and one chief of police. The chief of police is generally the roughest most disruptive man. This is the opposite of how western society works- responsibility, authority and influence is removed from troublemakers. Together, the sindico and presidente are able to settle the majority of disputes. The next level in the chain is the alcalde that presides over the justice of the peace, and settles the more serious disputes. The final port of call is the district court, which is seen as a last resort. Taking a dispute the municipio is more of a last resort as social pressure attaches shame and dishonour to those who resort to such measures. This social pressure encourages people in the community to sort out their own disputes before they reach a level requiring such intervention. Such an example is of a dispute regarding washing stones at a well. One female had chosen a washing stone next to her friend which was not her usual washing stone, when the owner arrived they angrily asked the woman to move, even though there were other free washing stones available. Tension increased and insults exchanged; eventually the whole village became involved taking sides, and other similar disputes arose. Water began to dry up at this well, and villagers believed this was a consequence of the women’s dispute, and action had to be taken. A meeting of the Well Association was called in order to find a solution. The next time the women went to the well all the washing stones had been removed and replaced with concrete basins specifically allocated to no-one, and their use strictly based on a first-come-first-served basis. This way of settling the dispute was aimed at restoring the balance, at maintaining cohesion and harmony. The facts of the case were irrelevant, as was who was right or wrong and where the blame lay. However, the dispute was settled in a way that there would be no resentment between the women, and their relationships could be restored. The solution also provided a preventative measure to prevent such a dispute reoccurring. It will be interesting to compare the resolution of such a dispute in Zapotec society and western society. In Western state society it is likely that the second of the women who felt her washing stone had been taken unfairly would have employed a solicitor and lodged charges against the other women for stealing her washing stone. Assuming the case reached court lawyers would be employed to describe the facts to a judge, each side aiming to place blame on the other side. The judge would consult the various laws in order to decree who was at fault, or if any laws were broken. Blame would be ascribed and the dispute would be resolved by fines and punishments, however whether steps would be taken to prevent such a dispute re-occurring is debateable. Of course, such a dispute is unlikely to happen in western society due to the cultural differences. It is somewhat naive to suggest that the Zapotec’s ways of settling disputes are more effective than our own, as we have to consider the vast differences in our societies. Cohesion is not nearly as vital to everyday life here as it is in smaller communities- disputes are resolved in a very individual way, which is impractical for larger populations- we could not consider intricately every detail of why someone may have hit someone else- we have to have definite boundaries. Hitting is thought of as wrong and not desirable for a peaceful community, thus the fact it is against the law simply prohibits violence regardless of the reason. This is a simple black and white law, and has consequences of which everyone is aware. The depersonalised system is consistent with the impersonal nature of our society. To conclude there are clear differences in the way each society tackles dispute settlement. There is the authoritative Western system that seeks prevention through a vast number of procedural and substantive laws with the primary aim of ensuring ‘justice’ and punishment. Then there is the more informal system of the Zapotec Indians, who regard restoring the balance and future relationships as more important than placing the blame. I cannot see either system working in the other’s community due to the vast cultural differences, and differences in population size, however they seem to prove effective for each individual society. How to cite Societies have evolved a variety of structures for settling disputes, Papers

Global Warming Essay Example For Students

Global Warming Essay The consequences of global warming have by now come to the attention of the majority of the population of the United States of America. The gradual warming of the earths atmosphere is due to an increased amount of carbon dioxide released into it. The burning of fossil fuels, oil, coal, and natural gas are the main activities that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Americans add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere every time they drive their car, use a chainsaw, or use electricity produced at a fossil fuel power plant. The increased temperature due to the effects of global warming can be disastrous. Low lying areas and islands are in danger of being overcome by increased water levels in the ocean. The oceans water levels are rising because of the temperature increase, which in turn increases the rate at which the polar ice caps melt into the ocean. What the majority of Americans may not realize is that we as a country are expelling 25% of the harmful gasses that contribute to the greenhouse effect on the earths atmosphere. This figure would be reasonable if the population represented 25% of the population on earth, but in reality the United States contains only 4% of the earths population. It is not fair to other countries or ours to add so much to the greenhouse problem without doing anything to try and stop it. Our actions as a country make a big impact on the lives of billions of other human beings. It is imperative that as a country we make a concerted effort to reduce the amount of harmful greenhouse gases we emit. It is however also important that we encourage other nations both industrialized, and developing to protect the earth that we all inhabit. The United States cannot bear the environmental burden alone; it will require a joint effort. The world has seen the levels of carbon dioxide jump 30% since the pre-industrial age. This evidence suggests that humans have significantly increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Using fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas during the industrialization of the earth has benefited mankind very much economically. Generally economists feel that a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions would cost the United Sates too much money. What economists are not taking into consideration is that there will be more serious problems to deal with down the road if we do not begin to reduce carbon dioxide emissions now. A slight decrease now could prevent the complete deletion of emissions a few years down the road. United States economists need to start worrying about the future of the economy on a more broad scale. What will happen to the economy when large cities near the ocean begin to have to move in order to stay above water?If the effort to decrease emissions were worldwide it would be an equal distribution of responsibility. The United States would be responsible for what they emitted, as other countries would as well. The senators in the United States would no longer have the problems with unequal distribution of effort. Senators must also consider that if it was impossible to be able to get all countries to commit they should still sign the Kyoto treaty. The senates concern about the United States business interests should be re-directed towards tomorrow, the faster we act as a country the lower the initial reduction in emissions has to be. The United States should serve as a leader in this issue to other less developed countries. Less developed countries may not have the proper technology or resources to put such into place.It is important that the United States takes immediate action in regards to the emission of greenhouse gases and their effects on the environment. .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee , .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee .postImageUrl , .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee , .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee:hover , .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee:visited , .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee:active { border:0!important; } .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee:active , .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uef500a04786771b0ee510f2e743ee7ee:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Juvenile Delinquency Essay The failure to control these emissions now could result in disastrous problems in the future. The longer we wait the harder it will be, and the price of lowering emissions is not going to get any less costly. The United States will have to lead the world into a more promising future. Bibliography:none