2. Same Sex Marriage By: Brenda Valdez English 2010 Professor Melissa Helquist

3. Reasons Why Human Rights Increased Psychological Disorders Changes in Divorce Rates Financial Gain for Government Adoption

4. Human Rights Marriage is a basic civil right of the people. 17 states have already legalized gay marriage, so why not more? Same sex marriage does not have an effect on religion, health, or family values. If the reason for marriage is to reproduce, then should infertile couples be allowed to marry? In a Gallup Poll, 53% of Americans support gay marriage, people are changing and so should the government.

5. Increased Support

6. Increase in Psychological Disorders American Journal of Public Health, in 2010, published a study that stated that after some states banned same sex marriage, there was a major increase in psychological disorders among the gay, straight, and bisexual community. 37% increase in Mood Disorders 42% increase in Alcohol Use Disorders 248% increase in Anxiety Disorders Marriage benefits could provide them with the help that they need.

7. Psychological Disorders (continued) Actress Ellen Page, came out addressing herself as being gay. At a Time to THRIVE conference, she said, “I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered.” Most people who are gay, express being in the closet as fearful and a lonely time. We should not let our fellow citizens suffer and be ashamed and scared of who they are. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hlCEIUATzg

8. Divorce Rates Same sex marriage has been correlated to lower divorce rates. The state of Massachusetts made same sex marriage legal in 2004 and the divorce rate has decreased by 21% between 2003 and 2008. When Alaska put a ban on same sex marriage in 1998, the divorce rate increased by 17.2% The seven states with the highest divorce rates between 2003 and 2008, had a restriction against gay marriage.

9. Financial Gain Two cities have done studies on the financial benefits that same sex marriage would provide. New Jersey estimated that they would have a financial gain of 248 million in three years because of marriage licenses, higher income taxes, and the government would not have to pay as much for benefit programs. New York City estimated that they would gain 142 million to the city and 184 million to the state, in just three years.

10. Adoption The number of children living with same-sex parents have doubled since 2000. Same sex couples adoption rates are rising which means less kids in orphanages. A study by Pediatrics, showed that lesbian mothers have actually had higher ratings than a heterosexual couple. The children were found to be healthier socially and academically. They concluded that gay parents were just as good, if not better, as heterosexual parents.

11. Final Thoughts I believe gay marriage should be legalized because it is wrong for someone to get in the way of someone's happiness. I also do not like how gay people feel ashamed and scared to be themselves, and I think that if gay marriage were allowed, they would feel much more comfortable admitting to themselves and others on who they are. We should focus on our own family and our own problems, instead of trying to create problems on others who are different.

12. Same Sex Marriage So, the reasons why I think Same sex marriage should be legal in all fifty states is because Psychological disorders are increasing Changes in divorce rates Financial gain for government Adoption Human Rights

13. Sources Nate Silver, "Opinion on Same-Sex Marriage Appears to Shift at Accelerated Pace,” www.fivethirtyeight.com, Aug. 12, 2010 http://gaymarriage.procon.org/#didyouknow http://loveandpride.com/GayAdoption http://www.familyequality.org/news__media/2012/03/01/1179/divorce_ra tes_lower_in_states_that_allow_same-sex_marriage http://www.familyequality.org/news__media/2012/03/01/1179/divorce_ra tes_lower_in_states_that_allow_same-sex_marriage