1. Gay Marriage By: Biddy Tang

2. The Biblical View of Marriage Men and Women Arguments in support of same sex marriage Outlook of Marriage Who has the right to define marriage?

3. Controversy Same sex marriage is the biggest debate going on in the 2000s Some say that gay marriage is wrong Other people say that they can marry who ever they want

4. Can Two of the Same-Sex Legally be Married? The defense of marriage act was passed in 1996 by President Bill Clinton. The federal government is not required to consider a same-sex relationship as a marriage. States decide whether or not they want to allow same-sex marriage in their state. The words "marriage" and "spouse" are defined for purposes of Federal law.

5. Arguments for Same-Sex Marriage “Same-sex couples deserve exactly the same benefits and protections under the law as everyone else.” “Homosexuality is not a life style choice, but a genetic predisposition”

6. Arguments Against Same-Sex Marriage “Homosexuality is morally wrong.” “ Children benefit more from being raised in a family with a mom and a dad.”

7. New York Senate on June 24 th 2011 There was a vote for the third time in a year and a half on the issue of gay marriage in the state of New York. The votes were counted and there were 31 votes for gay marriage and 31 votes against it.

8. The Deciding Vote Mark Grisanti, a Republican Senator from buffalo who last November ran a mini campaign against gay marriage, was the deciding vote. He gave a speech on the floor of the senate that same day.

9. “Family Values” Agenda Includes Abstinence-Only Sex Education Stringent Divorce Laws Coercive Marriage Promotion Policies Directed Toward Women on Welfare Attacks on Reproductive Freedom.

10. Examples of Alternative forms of household recognition Single parent households Senior citizens living together and serving as each other’s caregivers Blended and extended families Children being raised in multiple households or by unmarried parents Adult children living with and caring for their parents Senior citizens who are the primary caregivers to their grandchildren or other relatives

11. We Advocate: Legal recognition for a wide range of relationships, households and families – regardless of kinship or conjugal status. Access for all, regardless of marital or citizenship status, to vital government support programs including but not limited to health care, housing, Social Security and pension plans, disaster recovery assistance, unemployment insurance and welfare assistance. Separation of church and state in all matters, including regulation and recognition of relationships, households and families. Freedom from state regulation of our sexual lives and gender choices, identities and expression.