Opponents of same-sex marriage in the United States

Opponents of same-[...] marriage in the United States are against same-[...] marriage. Opponents of same-[...] marriage have used activism to introduce state legislation seeking to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Opponents argue that allowing same-[...] marriage will open the door to legalizing other types of currently-illegal marriage, such as polygamy (a person with multiple spouses), bestiality (people marrying animals), adults marrying children, and children marrying children.

Background

Marriage in the United States has been traditionally understood as a union between a man and a woman. Supporters of same-[...] marriage in the United States have sought to introduce laws to have same-[...] marriage recognized or judicially challenge laws that define marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman. Opponents of same-[...] marriage are against what they see as extending the definition of marriage to include same-[...] marriage. Many conservative and/or religious groups in the United States oppose same-[...] marriage. While the Republican party is most strongly associated with opposition to same-[...] marriage, both Democrats and Republicans have expressed opposition.

Organizations and individuals opposed to same-[...] marriage

All four major candidates for president and vice-president in the 2008 general election were opposed to same-[...] marriage. This includes President Barack Obama, who also notably "supports full civil unions and federal rights for LGBT couples" and plans to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Organizations and individuals supporting traditional marriage

American individuals and organizations that identify themselves as "supporters of traditional marriage" are characterized by opposition to same-[...] marriage as well as an interest in divorce and related family issues. Notable supporters of traditional marriage include former president George W. Bush (Republican), Rhode Island governor Donald Carcieri (Republican), and Senator Robert Byrd (Democrat). Activism by the groups that identify themselves as supporters of traditional marriage has led to the introduction of federal laws and state constitutional amendments that seek to define marriage as the union of a man and woman.

Related organizations

• Alliance Defense Fund
• Alliance for Marriage
• American Family Association
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the U.S. arm of the Roman Catholic church
• Concerned Women for America
• Family Research Council
• Focus on the Family
• Liberty Counsel
• National Organization for Marriage

See also

• Marriage in the United States
• Same-[...] marriage in the United States
• Same-[...] marriage law in the United States by state
• Supporters of same-[...] marriage in the United States