2008 Woodie Awards
Jo Anne Myers gives a lecture on sanctity of gay marriage
Matt Alfieri
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Some people marry "to become better citizens." Some people believe that "marriage is [merely] an institution" that allows "the patriarchy to continue," and do not marry. The "Marriage and Relationship to the State" Lecture, addressed both these issues at the first of a faculty-student series sponsored by Marist College Activities.
At the lecture, assistant professor of political science and director of women's studies Jo Anne Myers discussed how marriage "has evolved over the years." She pointed out how, in the beginning of history, a man could have many wives. Next, marriage was used as a systematic approach toward keeping property and/or status within the family through inheritance. In today's society, Myers said, "governments want citizens to marry, procreate and supply people for the military to give their lives." She illustrated this point by examining who is allowed to marry: people over the age of 18; those who are competent; and, more specifically, a man and a woman. Slaves could not legally marry and, until 1967, neither could interracial couples. These circumstances, Myers pointed out, deny same-sex couples the "privilege" to marry.
Myers said that as a result of fears that the state of Hawaii would allow same-sex couples to marry, the United States government passed Defensive of Marriage Act in 1996, which defined marriage, for purposes of federal law, as the legal union between a man and a woman. Myers then discussed with her audience that President Bush gave three million dollars to promote heterosexual marriage, despite debate on the local, state and federal levels pertaining to the legality of same-sex marriages.
The issue then poses the question as to why there is so much emphasis on keeping same-sex couples from marrying. Myers said that same-sex couples are denied several benefits afforded to heterosexual couples, including social security, food stamps, housing, immigration rights, and mortgages. She even discussed how, when a member of a heterosexual couple dies, the surviving spouse inherits the estate. However, when a member of a same-sex couple dies, the other partner must pay taxes "much as a stranger would."
If this issue intrigues or interests you, then attend the next lecture in this series. You can view the schedule for upcoming lecture series at the Office of College Activities.
At the lecture, assistant professor of political science and director of women's studies Jo Anne Myers discussed how marriage "has evolved over the years." She pointed out how, in the beginning of history, a man could have many wives. Next, marriage was used as a systematic approach toward keeping property and/or status within the family through inheritance. In today's society, Myers said, "governments want citizens to marry, procreate and supply people for the military to give their lives." She illustrated this point by examining who is allowed to marry: people over the age of 18; those who are competent; and, more specifically, a man and a woman. Slaves could not legally marry and, until 1967, neither could interracial couples. These circumstances, Myers pointed out, deny same-sex couples the "privilege" to marry.
Myers said that as a result of fears that the state of Hawaii would allow same-sex couples to marry, the United States government passed Defensive of Marriage Act in 1996, which defined marriage, for purposes of federal law, as the legal union between a man and a woman. Myers then discussed with her audience that President Bush gave three million dollars to promote heterosexual marriage, despite debate on the local, state and federal levels pertaining to the legality of same-sex marriages.
The issue then poses the question as to why there is so much emphasis on keeping same-sex couples from marrying. Myers said that same-sex couples are denied several benefits afforded to heterosexual couples, including social security, food stamps, housing, immigration rights, and mortgages. She even discussed how, when a member of a heterosexual couple dies, the surviving spouse inherits the estate. However, when a member of a same-sex couple dies, the other partner must pay taxes "much as a stranger would."
If this issue intrigues or interests you, then attend the next lecture in this series. You can view the schedule for upcoming lecture series at the Office of College Activities.