Presidential Debate on LGBT marriage

Blog 2

             "A pitched battle is being fought that could signal federalism's future--and it has nothing to   

do with health-care reform. Rather states and the U.S. House of Representatives are arguing the

validity of a 1996 law that defines marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman"

(Holeywell, 2012).

          
        Growing up in a generation that is on the cusp of acknowledging LGBT rights and having equality be a normal part of our life, and our way of thinking, it has been extremely enlightening, and exciting to hear that the United States of America's President, Barrack Obama has publicly stated his support of gay marriage.

       Even though this is technically an American political issue, we are deeply affected by American issues, stances and influential people in Canada. The stance on gay marriage by one of the most influential people in the U.S.A, will definitely trickle down and affect the mindset of Canadians. In Canada, we may have Gay marriage rights, but those rights come without the support of many Canadians,  and I do believe that the outcome of the American presidential race will affect Canadian thinking either in a positive way, or a negative way. With Canada's ever shifting political stance from liberalism to neo - conservatism, upcoming governments may attempt to take steps backwards in human rights concerning gay marriage if the U.S.A continues to oppress this population.

     If we look at the many generations it took to reform our thinking about other issues that were aimed at oppressed people, such: as black slavery, or Native American equality, or women's rights, it is truly amazing that we are moving at a speed that has already brought normalcy and tolerance in a span of a generation when in comparison to the other groups, which has taken multiple generations, and in many cases, is still a battle of rights being fought.

        President Obama has had other firsts, such as being the first visible minority president, and it is a wonderful thing to add "first gay president" (Murse, 2012) to his resume. The supportive stance taken by Barrack Obama will definitely sway the vote of the LGBT voting community, and "the fact that roughly seven in 10 LGBT voters can be expected to vote for Obama on Nov. 6 shows that these voters could be an important factor in helping him win re-election in a close race" (Gates & Newport, 2012). Weather Barrack Obama wins or not, an important milestone has been made; acknowledgment by an American powerhouse that gay marriage should be considered on an equal level as heterosexual marriage. "The president believes in treating everyone fairly and equally, with dignity and respect " ("Obama Backs," 2012). First steps in a brighter future for everyone? A political stance to gain votes? One issue at a time, one solution at a time.

Larissa

CBSNEWS. (2012). Obama Backs Gay Marriage Measures in Three States. Retrieved

            October 28, 2012, from http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-

            57540759/obama-backs-gay-marriage-measures-in-3-states/

Gates, G, J., & Newport, F. (2012). LGBT Americans Skew Democratic, Largely Support

            Obama. Retrieved October 28, 2012, from

            http://www.gallup.com/poll/158102/lgbt-americans-skew-democratic-largely-

            support-obama.aspx

 Holeywell, R. (2012, November). Testing federalism: should states decide gay marriage?
              Governing, 26(2), 17. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com    
               /ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA308599282&v=2.1&u=saul58289&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w

Murse, T. (2012). What Obama's Support of Gay Marriage Really Means. Retrieved

            October 28, 2012, from http://uspolitics.about.com/b/2012/05/09/what-obamas-

            support-of-gay-marriage-really-means.htm