The right's dangerous legal argument

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2008
The right's dangerous legal argument
1537
Thu, 03-05-2009 - 9:46pm

Appearing for the supporters of Prop 8, Kenneth Starr, the former Whitewater prosecutor, said the people hold the right to modify the state constitution by adding or subtracting protections for civil rights.


Court appears ready to uphold Prop. 8



Full length fiction: worlds undone


"You have no power over my body..." ~ Anne Hutchinson


"You think you know, sir!" ~ Cornflake Girl ~ Tori Amos.


Full length fiction: worlds undone

"You have no power over my body..." ~ Anne Hutchinson

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2009
Fri, 04-03-2009 - 12:50am
Go back and re-read a few posts...that'll help you catch up.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2009
Fri, 04-03-2009 - 12:52am

>>> If there were unable to be taken away by the state the state could not either incarcerate or execute anyone. The state clearly can, and does, take away the right to life and liberty, whenever the state judges that a member of our society has violated the rules under which our society places limits on those unalienable rights.

I'll let you argue with Websters and our Founding Fathers.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2005
Fri, 04-03-2009 - 4:47am


Support of Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Civil Marriage
POSITION STATEMENT
Approved by the Assembly, May 2005
Approved by the Board of Trustees, July 2005


"Policy documents are approved by the APA Assembly and Board of Trustees…These are … position statements that define APA official policy on specific subjects…" -- APA Operations Manual.


As physicians who frequently evaluate the impact of social and family relationships on child development, and the ability of adults and children to cope with stress and mental illness, psychiatrists note the invariably positive influence of a stable, adult partnership on the health of all family members. Sustained and committed marital and family relationships are cornerstones of our social support network as we face life’s challenges, including illness and loss. There is ample evidence that long-term spousal and family support enhances physical and mental health at all stages of development.


This position statement is about the legal recognition of same-sex civil marriage, not religious marriage, and it does not pertain to any organized religion’s view of same-sex marriage.


Heterosexual relationships have a legal framework for their existence through civil marriage, which provides a stabilizing force. In the United States, with the exception of Massachusetts, same-sex couples are currently denied the important legal benefits, rights and responsibilities of civil marriage. Same-sex couples therefore experience several kinds of state-sanctioned discrimination that can adversely affect the stability of their relationships and their mental health.


The children of unmarried gay and lesbian parents do not have the same protection that civil marriage affords the children of heterosexual couples. Adoptive and divorced lesbian and gay parents face additional obstacles. An adoptive parent who is lesbian or gay is often prejudicially presumed as unfit in many U.S. jurisdictions. Furthermore, when unmarried couples do adopt, usually one parent is granted legal rights, while the other parent may have no legal standing. These obstacles occur even though no research has shown that the children raised by lesbians and gay men are less well adjusted than those reared within heterosexual relationships.


As the population ages, the denial of legal recognition of civil marriage has consequences for increasing numbers of older adults in same-sex relationships who face age-related health and financial concerns. Excluding these adults from civil marriage protections of survivorship and inheritance rights, financial benefits, and legal recognition as a couple in health care settings increases the psychological burden associated with aging.


The American Psychiatric Association has historically supported equity, parity, and non-discrimination in matters that have an impact on mental health. APA has also supported same-sex civil unions and the right of same-sex couples to adopt and co-parent children. This is because APA has a longstanding interest in civil rights and legal issues that affect mental health as well as a code of ethics that supports and respects human dignity. Educating the public about lesbian and gay relationships and supporting efforts to establish legal recognition of samesex civil marriage is consistent with the Association’s advocacy for minority groups.


Civil marriage is associated with a unique set of benefits that provide legal and economic protections to adults in committed relationships and to their children. Equal access to the institution of civil marriage is consistent with the APA’s opposition to discrimination based on sexual orientation. Therefore be it resolved that:


"In the interest of maintaining and promoting mental health, the American Psychiatric Association supports the legal recognition of same-sex civil marriage with all rights, benefits, and responsibilities conferred by civil marriage, and opposes restrictions to those same rights, benefits, and responsibilities.” Supporting Documents:




Edited 4/3/2009 4:58 am ET by spinthebottle

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2005
Fri, 04-03-2009 - 4:49am

Actually, they are married because they meet the legal criteria/definition for being married in their states and countries.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2009
Fri, 04-03-2009 - 8:58am

Go back and re-read a few posts...that'll help you catch up.


No, thanks.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2009
Fri, 04-03-2009 - 10:53pm

Post #1008


"Third, the impact upon children, especially in a divorce scenario.


None of these issues exist with same sex marriage."


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2009
Fri, 04-03-2009 - 10:58pm

Good post.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2009
Sat, 04-04-2009 - 12:06am

>>> I wouldn't want to continue it either if I didn't understand the difference between the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

I guess that explains why you won't be "continuing the discussion." LOL!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2009
Sat, 04-04-2009 - 3:49am

Having waded through hundreds of posts after I stopped responding here....

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2005
Sat, 04-04-2009 - 7:18am

Except there is no proof that these rates are higher.


And there is no law against divorce.

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