Same-sex marriage faced a serious test in US

2013-04-11 09:56

分享到

 

Get Flash Player

Download

Thousands of peaceful demonstrators gathered outside the Supreme Court in Washington, DC this week. They were there to show their support for or opposition to same sex marriage. They hoped to have an effect on the justices inside who spent two days listening to arguments.

One case seeks to block California’s 2008 ballot measure known as Proposition 8. The measure banned same sex marriage in the state.

The second case involves a 1996 law known as the Defense of Marriage Act. It defines marriage as only between a man and a woman. It also denies same sex couples certain federal benefits that married heterosexuals receive. They include Social Security survivor payments and certain tax deductions.

Attorney Ted Olson represented California gay couples who want to marry. He spoke after the hearing.

“The broadest that argument we made is that it is just wrong. It is not consistent with the ideals, and the laws and the constitution of this country to take our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters and put them in a class and deny them rights that we give to everyone else.”

Attorney Charles Cooper argued in support of the ban against same sex marriage.

“We believe that Proposition 8 is constitutional and that the place for the decision to be made regarding redefining marriage is with the people, not with the courts.”

John Lewis opposes the ban. He wants the court to settle the issue once and for all.

“We are Americans. And we are here on the steps of the United States Supreme Court because every single American, without exception, should have the freedom to marry the person that they love.”

Gay rights activist Michelle Bailey was also there.

“I was born here. I pay taxes. I deserve equal rights.”

Dominic Parisi and his husband Dan Zimmerman also came out to show their support for same sex marriage. Mr. Parisi said the show of support in front of the Supreme Court sends a message to government leaders.

“I see the country going much faster than the court. We have been together for 29 years. Actually, I’ve been going faster than the court for many years, so I think it’s time for the court to catch up.”

Dan Zimmerman said the push for gay rights is a grassroots effort led by the people.

“I think basically the people are going to have to drag the politicians after them. I am surprised that the country has reached this point, but proud that we have.”

Recent public opinion studies show a major change in attitudes towards gay marriage over the past several years. Some reports put support for gay marriage at more than 50 percent. Nine states and Washington, DC currently recognize same sex marriage.

But even with the change in public opinion, a large number of Americans still resist same-sex marriage. Peter Sprigg is with the Family Research Council, a conservative activist group in Washington.

“Society needs children. Children need a mom and dad. That is why we think marriage should be defined as the union of one man and one woman.”

Shirley Phelps-Roper belongs to an anti-gay church in Kansas. She also made the trip to Washington to show her opposition.

“When the Supreme Court does this thing, it’s going to be the last straw. This nation’s destruction is imminent.”

Andrew Pugno is with the Protect Marriage Coalition. He worries that the court could rule in such a way that would open the way for gay marriage in all 50 states.

“A victory here for us means that this issue returns to the people and their legislatures and their elected representatives where the debate belongs.”

Several members of the high court are considering the issue with care, including Justice Samuel Alito.

“You want us to step in and render a decision based on an assessment of the effects of this institution, which is newer than cellphones or the internet?”

Rulings in both cases are expected at the end of June. No matter the decision, supporters of same sex marriage outside the court said this week will be remembered as a historic moment in the struggle for equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans.

相关阅读

Egyptian w omen reject blame for upsurge in sexual harrassment

US drone strikes under scrutiny

A recent public-opinion survey for next presidential election

A drop in the number of women touring India

(来源:VOA 编辑:Julie)

 

分享到

中国日报网英语点津版权说明:凡注明来源为“中国日报网英语点津:XXX(署名)”的原创作品,除与中国日报网签署英语点津内容授权协议的网站外,其他任何网站或单位未经允许不得非法盗链、转载和使用,违者必究。如需使用,请与010-84883561联系;凡本网注明“来源:XXX(非英语点津)”的作品,均转载自其它媒体,目的在于传播更多信息,其他媒体如需转载,请与稿件来源方联系,如产生任何问题与本网无关;本网所发布的歌曲、电影片段,版权归原作者所有,仅供学习与研究,如果侵权,请提供版权证明,以便尽快删除。

中国日报网双语新闻

扫描左侧二维码

添加Chinadaily_Mobile
你想看的我们这儿都有!

中国日报双语手机报

点击左侧图标查看订阅方式

中国首份双语手机报
学英语看资讯一个都不能少!

关注和订阅

本文相关阅读
人气排行
热搜词
 
精华栏目
 

阅读

词汇

视听

翻译

口语

合作

 

关于我们 | 联系方式 | 招聘信息

Copyright by chinadaily.com.cn. All rights reserved. None of this material may be used for any commercial or public use. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. 版权声明:本网站所刊登的中国日报网英语点津内容,版权属中国日报网所有,未经协议授权,禁止下载使用。 欢迎愿意与本网站合作的单位或个人与我们联系。

电话:8610-84883645

传真:8610-84883500

Email: languagetips@chinadaily.com.cn