Federalism and Equal Rights

All across the US, multiple states are having huge controversies about gay marriage. Some states want to allow it, and other want to ban it. Either way, some people are going to be angry at the decision. For example, in class we read the court case about gay marriage in California. California was trying to ban gay marriage but homosexuals were angry and wanted to argue their side of the situation. California can make their own laws, separate from federal laws because of Federalism. Like in Sydney, and Bobby talked about, people in California voted to get a new representative who could have a different view on gay marriage and may help legalize gay marriage in California. New Jersey also was involved with issues with gay marriage. Last year citizens tried to legalize gay marriage but it was shut down. New Jersey wants to try to legalize it again but the governor, Chris Christie, said that he would veto it. If California bans gay marriage that doesn’t mean that New Jersey won’t be able to legalize it; this is because of Federalism. People often argue about gay marriage because of equal rights. They believe that everyone should have equal opportunities and marry whoever they want. Others feel that marriage is strictly based for a man and a woman.