Describe the significance of the Goodridge case decided by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in 2003. Based on an understanding of the issues involved in that case, identify 3 arguments in favor of same sex marriage and 3 arguments against it

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The significance of the Goodridge case is that in it, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court declared that denying same-sex couples the right to marry in Massachusetts violated the equal protection and due process clauses of the state constitution making Massachusetts the first state to permit same-sex marriage. Some arguments in favor of same-sex marriage:
a) An essential element of marriage is the commitment of the parties to each other.
b) Denying same-sex partners the benefits and protections of marriage violates equal protection and creates a population of second-class citizens.
c) Children are increasingly born and raised outside of the traditional family structure and successfully so.
d) State restrictions on the right to marry should not be based on personal religious or moral principles.

Some arguments against same-sex marriage:
a) The traditional family is the foundation of society and same-sex marriage will destabilize the social order.
b) The traditional family environment is the best one in which to raise children. Children need male and female models.
c) The long recognized fundamental right to marry does not extend to same-sex marriage.
d) Extending the right to marry to same-sex partners is financially costly to the government and businesses forced to extend "spousal" benefits to partners of the same sex.