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Same-sex marriage

Wide scale research suggests that members of the LGBTQ community generally
experience worse mental health outcomes than their heterosexual counterparts. This
is possibly due to the stigmatization they receive. The mental health benefits of
marriage generally are well-documented. In 2009, the American Medical
Association officially recognized that excluding sexual minorities from marriage was
significantly contributing to the overall poor health among same-sex households
compared to heterosexual households. Converging lines of evidence also suggest that
sexual orientation stigma and discrimination are at least associated with increased
psychological distress and a generally decreased quality of life among lesbians and
gay men.

 A US study that surveyed more than 36,000 people aged 18-70 found lesbian, gay
and bisexual individuals were far less psychologically distressed if they were in a
legally recognized same-sex marriage than if they were not. Married
heterosexuals were less distressed than either of these groups. So, it would seem
that being in a legally recognized same-sex marriage can at least partly overcome
the substantial health disparity between heterosexual and lesbian, gay, and
bisexual persons. The authors concluded by urging other researchers to consider
same-sex marriage as a public health issue. A review of the research examining
the impact of marriage denial on the health and well being of gay men and
lesbians conceded that marriage equality is a profoundly complex and nuanced
issue. But, it argued that depriving lesbians and gay men the tangible (and
intangible) benefits of marriage is not only an act of discrimination – it also:

 disadvantages them by restricting their citizenship;

 hinders their mental health, well being, and social mobility; and generally
disenfranchises them from various cultural, legal, economic and political aspects
of their lives.
Of further concern is research finding that in comparison to lesbian, gay and bisexual
respondents living in areas where gay marriage was allowed, living in areas where it
was banned was associated with significantly higher rates of:

 mood disorders (36% higher)

 psychiatric comorbidity – that is, multiple mental health conditions (36% higher);
and

 anxiety disorders (248% higher).

Opponents of same-sex marriage often argue that children raised in same-sex


households perform worse on a variety of life outcome measures when compared to
those raised in a heterosexual household. There is some merit to this argument. In
terms of education and general measures of success, the literature
isn’t entirely unanimous. However, most studies have found that on these metrics
there is no difference between children raised by same-sex or opposite-sex parents.
In 2005, the American Psychological Association released a brief reviewing research
on same-sex parenting. It unambiguously summed up its stance on the issue of
whether or not same-sex parenting negatively impacts children:

Not a single study has found children of lesbian or gay parents to be


disadvantaged in any significant respect relative to children of
heterosexual parents.

Same-sex marriage has already been legalized in 23 countries around the world,
inhabited by more than 760 million people. Despite the above studies positively
linking marriage with well being, it may be premature to definitively assert casuality.
But overall, the evidence is fairly clear. Same-sex marriage leads to a host of social
and even public health benefits, including a range of advantages for mental health
and well being. The benefits accrue to society as a whole, whether you are in a
same-sex relationship or not. As the body of research in support of same-sex
marriage continues to grow, the case in favour of it becomes stronger.
References:
https://theconversation.com/evidence-is-clear-on-the-benefits-of-legal
izing-same-sex-marriage-82428

Philippine Supreme Court Considers Same-Sex Marriage

 Lawmakers Should Recognize Equal Marriage Rights for LGBT Couples

The Philippine Supreme Court heard a long-awaited argument on Tuesday that could open the
door to same-sex marriage in the overwhelmingly Catholic country. The case, which was filed
by a gay lawyer named Jesus Falcis in 2015, urges the court to declare the marriage restriction
in the country’s Family Code – which limits marriage to one man and one woman –
unconstitutional. It also asks the court to recognize marriage equality in the Philippines. Falcis
argues that the marriage restrictions violate his rights to due process, equal protection, and
forming a family under the Philippine Constitution. If the Supreme Court rules that the
provisions of the Family Code are unconstitutional and permits same-sex marriage, or the
national legislature enacts a law allowing same-sex marriage, the Philippines will join
Taiwan at the forefront of Asian countries with marriage equality.Beyond the Supreme Court
hearing, the recognition of same-sex partnerships has gained considerable steam in the
Philippines.

In the House of Representatives, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez filed a bill in October 2017 that
would create civil partnerships. The bill, HB 6595, would grant same-sex couples “[a]ll
benefits and protections as are granted to spouses in a marriage,” including the ability to jointly
adopt, inherit property, obtain tax benefits, and share insurance, health, and pension benefits.
The bill was debated by a House panel in January 2018, but has not been voted on.

President Rodrigo Duterte has sent conflicting messages about his views on same-sex
marriage, indicating support for it on the campaign trail, seemingly reversing his position in
March 2017, and then endorsing the idea again in December 2017. As the Supreme Court
deliberates over the same-sex marriage case, lawmakers have an opportunity to proactively
protect the rights of LGBT Filipinos. In 2017, the House of Representatives made history by
approving a nondiscrimination law that, if passed by the Senate, would protect LGBT people
from discrimination in employment, education, health care, housing, public services, and
other areas.It should now show similar leadership in recognizing and advancing the rights of
same-sex couples.

References:https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/06/19/philippine-supreme-court-cons
iders-same-sex-marriage

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