VOA慢速英语 同性婚姻在美国全境合法化

AS IT IS 2015-06-27 Gay Marriage Is Legal Across the US 同性婚姻在美国全境合法化

Before today, gay and lesbian couples could legally marry in 36 states and Washington, DC.Now, the U.S. Supreme¹ Court has extended that right across the country.The ruling means the remaining 14 states must soon stop enforcing bans on same-sex marriage.

今天以前，同性伴侣只能在美国36个州以及华盛顿结为合法意义上的夫妻。如今，美国最高法院将此权利扩大到整个国家。该裁决意味着剩下的14个州也必须支持同性婚姻合法化。

Five of the Supreme Court justices support the decision. Four oppose it.

最高法院法官5人支持该决议，4人反对。

The majority ruling says denying same-sex couples the right to marry hurts them.It shows disrespect and gives them a lower place in society than opposite sex couples, the five supporting justices say.

大多数人支持的裁决认为剥夺同性伴侣结婚的权利是对他们的伤害。这也是对他们的不尊重，使得他们的社会地位低于异性夫妻，五大法官表示。

They add that the Constitution requires state laws to provide equal protection to everyone who lives there.

他们补充道宪法要求各州法律为生活在该州的人民提供平等的保护。

The four justices who oppose the decision include the chief justice, John Roberts.Mr. Roberts disagrees so strongly that he read his remarks out loud.

反对同性婚姻合法化的四位法官，其中还包括首席法官约翰罗伯茨。罗伯茨对此强烈反对，陈词激烈。

He says that all Americans who support expanding same-sex marriage should celebrate Friday’s decision.The ruling, he notes, offers benefits to more people and permits same-sex partners to show their love and commitment.

他说所有支持同性婚姻合法化的美国人都应该庆祝周五的决议。他指出，该裁决使更多人受益，允许同性伴侣展示他们的爱和忠诚。

But, Mr. Roberts says, Americans should not celebrate the decision as a victory for the U.S. Constitution.

但是罗伯茨说，美国人不能将之视为美国宪法的胜利。

Mr. Roberts believes “five lawyers” on the Supreme Court do not have the right to decide to permit same-sex marriage in all states.Instead, he says the people should decide the issue in a democratic process.

罗伯茨认为最高法院的那“五位律师”没有权利决定同性婚姻在其余各州的合法化。相反，他说应该以民主的方式来定夺。

In Washington, DC many are quickly answering the decision.Tony Perkins is the president of the DC-based Family Research Council.The organization seeks to protect the idea of marriage between a man and a woman.Mr. Perkins wrote on the social media site Twitter that the ruling is a “shocking abuse of power, and will never be accepted.”

在华盛顿，很多人迅速响应这一决议。Tony Perkins是家庭研究委员会的主席。该组织一直致力于维护一男一女的婚姻观。Perkins在社交网站推特上称该裁决是“滥用权利，绝不接受。”

President Barack Obama also shared his thoughts on Twitter.He welcomes the ruling, calling it “a big step forward in our march toward equality.”

美国总统奥巴马也在推特上分享了他的观点。他对该裁决表示支持，并称之为“向平等迈进的一大步。”

For many activists², Friday’s decision is the final achievement of more than 20 years of gay rights-related court cases.Outside the Supreme Court building, hundreds gathered to celebrate.They chanted “love has won” and sang the U.S. national anthem³.

对于很多活动分子来说，周五的裁决代表了20多年来同性恋权利案件的最终胜利。最高法院大楼外，成百上千人在此聚集庆祝。他们高呼“爱情至上”，并高唱美国国歌。

Words in This Story

chanted – n. said a word or phrase many times in a rhythmic⁴ way, usually loudly and with other people

achievement – n. something that has been done or achieved through effort; a result of hard work

1 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

2 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

4 rhythmic   

adj.有节奏的，有韵律的

参考例句：

• Her breathing became more rhythmic.她的呼吸变得更有规律了。
• Good breathing is slow,rhythmic and deep.健康的呼吸方式缓慢深沉而有节奏。