Gay Marriage Should Be Legal

The majority of the time a conservative politician is talking about same-sex marriage, they almost always refer to The Bible as their argument. The book of Leviticus is a notorious reference when it comes to criticizing same-sex marriage. The books states that "The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: ... Do not lie with a male as one lies with a woman. It is an abhorrence" (Leviticus 18: 1, 2, 23). Since it is stated in this book, many Americans believe that because weddings are religious ceremonies that there should be no homosexuality involved. There is a huge flaw in this argument is in the Bill of Rights, Amendment I states that: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;" (The Bill of Rights). There is no established religion within the United States, and there never will be, as long as that law stands. Marriage is a union of two people recognized by the state - a civil right. It is ordinary for a church to be aware of the ceremony as well; however, when a couple gets married in a city hall, the marriage is not recognized by a church. If two people are married by a judge, the marriage is not recognized by a church. So in all reality, same sex marriages would not have to be acknowledged by any religious group in order to be legal. A person who uses things such as The

Throughout history, gay people have been discriminated by religious groups on a global scale. In the Room for Debate article “Have Christians Created a Harmful Atmosphere for Gays,” the issue being discussed refers to how poorly Christians discriminate against homosexuality. This Room for Debate article is mainly referring to Evangelical Christians, who are the main contributors to discrimination against homosexuality. Despite being taught to “love one another as Jesus has loved us,” there are still a majority of Evangelical Christians who preach Leviticus, the book in the Bible that condemns gay people. While a great majority of Christians condemn homosexuality, there’s also a minority of Christians that feel that homosexuality is an acceptable behavior. The statistics of Christians that oppose gay marriage versus Christians who support it vary between each Christian denomination. However, a religion’s set of beliefs are defined by generally running true for a majority of believers. There may be a minority of Evangelical Christians who support gay marriage, but many more Evangelical Christians oppose gay marriage. As a result of this majority, Christians have created a negative environment for gay people by denying homosexuality as an ethically accepted behavior, pressuring gays not to be themselves, and threatening them with eternal damnation.

Forbidding gay marriage is unjustifiable and unconstitutional. “While some are more accepting of less-traditional views on marriage and family life (secular, liberal, unmarried and black Americans), others hold fast to more traditional outlooks (religious, conservative, married and white Americans)” (Amy B. Becker). “Thus, the view of traditional believers is preordained: homosexual acts are sinful” (Haag). The question that comes to mind is this; if the bible says love thy neighbor and to not judge, and the constitutions states we all have equal rights, how are these anti-gay movements justified? Are homosexual sins any worse than the others; can a religious person justify alcoholism or adultery but disagree with loving someone who is of the same-sex. A quote that relates to this situation and is commonly found on social media and clothing is, “Don’t judge someone just because they sin differently than you” (anonymous). Homophobic bullying is a huge problem against the homosexuals and their families. Rimalower and Caren mention a great point, that this bullying not only affects the same-sex couples but their children; believing that the children have a similar sexual preference as the parents. “D’Augelli indicates that up to half of lesbians and gay men have experienced some form of bullying in school and many school problems of lesbian, gay, and bisexual students, such as poor academic

According to the CBS News Poll, 58% of Americans believe it should be legal for same-sex couples to marry (Polling Report, June 9-13, 2016). Since recent years, the support for same sex-marriage has steadily increased. In fact, according to the Gallup Poll, 61% of Americans believe that same-sex couples should validly be recognized by the law with the same rights as traditional marriages (Gallup Poll, May 4-8, 2016). Over time, the idea of marriage has transformed from the union of a man and woman to the union of two people who love each other regardless of their sexual orientation. In fact, according to the CNN/ORC Poll, 59% of Americans support the ruling of the Supreme Court regarding the legalization of same-sex marriage in all fifty states (Polling Report, June 26-28, 2015). Based on these polls, Americans generally support equal rights for all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation. Therefore, a majority of Americans favor government involvement to ensure equal rights for all individuals regardless of their differences. Therefore, the position of most Americans regarding same-sex marriage supports the idea that Americans are generally reform liberalists in their

Gay marriage is not the only issue that is being discussed throughout America involving the gay community. In a particular study done by USA Today, results showed that when Americans were asked if they think homosexual relationships between consenting adults should be legal, 46% answered yes (“USA Today” 6). However, when asked if they would then favor a law that would allow homosexuals to get married, only 24% were in favor (6). This survey also showed the differences of peoples’ ideas based on if they attended church or not (6). The results showed that 73% of Americans who attend church weekly oppose the legalization of gay marriage and only 38% of those who don’t attend church oppose legalization (6). These results show that for many Americans, marriage is a religious agreement, but for many others, marriage is a right that should be given to all who want to partake in it.

On June 24th, 2016, the Supreme Court legalized same sex marriage. According to The Williams Institute UCLA School Of Law, approximately nine million adults in americans are apart of the LGBT, not including the american youth and the others who are not out (Gates 1). With that said, these nine million adults are different compared to the others surrounding them. The LGBT has finally gotten their rights to marry whomever they want, and some people are against the idea due to their beliefs. Even if same sex marriage is against someone’s religious beliefs, should it be look down on? Homophobic statistics are splitting the nation, same sex marriage should not be controlled by the government, and churches aren't forced to unwillingly marry homosexuals.

Homosexual marriage is one of the old but controversial issues around the world. Compared to the past, it seems to become a more open debate among people. At the same time, people seem to be more swayable than before, but towards the gay marriage, different voices have still been hovering in the air. Gay people and their supporters have been striving for their rights to get married legally, while others who against gay marriage have never stopped deterring it.

Among young influential minds, The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington DC. evoked foster care placement to prevent the ability of children being placed in homosexual homes. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 16 states, “Men and women of full age, without any limitation...have the right to marry...found a family... entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution…” (UDHR, 1948). Not defending the ability to same-sex marriage. In New Jersey a Methodist Ocean Grove Camp declined a Civil Union Ceremony. Religious beliefs argue that in the bible God does not promote or support gay marriage. Supporting their reasons in the bible, as stated by God, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither...nor homosexuals...will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1st Corinthians 6:9-10 (NKJV)). Debates continue in several schools. At a school in Florida a social studies teacher posted a comment on facebook criticizing same-sex marriage. In other schools teachers dismissed students involved in homosexual relationships claiming to be uncomfortable. Therefore, many will argue the several consequences to allowing same-sex marriage, but the inability to see past the discrimination among Americans prevent a growth in our society. Positivity can be created through Americans creating a

Over 70% of the country agrees that gay couples should not be allowed to wed. Many have religious beliefs that God made men and women to marry and procreate. Some feel uncomfortable with the idea of two men being attracted to each other as well as two women being attracted to each other. Society has formed the idea that marriage is to be between a man and a woman so seeing anything different seems unnatural to some. However, many of these people are closed minded to the idea of gay marriage because it is different from their own personal lifestyle.

“We’re here, we’re queer, get over it.” In 1990, these words, shouted and displayed proudly on signs waved by the activist group, Queer Nation, were revolutionary. Never, not since the Stonewall Riots, had non-straight, non-cis people been so vocal about their existence and demanded acceptance – something that straight people take for granted on a daily basis. However, in the years since the Riots, LGBT activism has become much more mainstream, no longer whispered about behind closet doors or something to be wholly ashamed of. Gay marriage is legal in all 50 United States, something that has been fought for since the conception of the LGBT movement. In fact, gay couples are routinely being featured on popular television and other forms of media. Some might say that in 2016, the dreams of the rioters in Stonewall have been realized. Marriage rights and the spotlight on nighttime television; equality seems to truly be right on the horizon.

Many who allege same-sex marriage as a violation of their religious beliefs also regard same-sex marriage as an opposition of natural law, or the beliefs and ethics that we

According to a Pew Poll, most religious communities believe same-sex marriage and even homosexuality in general are morally wrong and do not follow their religious beliefs (Waldman, 2003). There is no major religion in the world that has ever altered the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples (Barlow, 2003). In general, it can be said that many religious people have strong views on same-sex marriage, declaring it wrong because of their religious beliefs.

Same-sex marriage has continuously been contradicted throughout our nation and so the arguments never seem to cease. Some argue the legality of same-sex marriage while others suggest that it compromises the sacredness of marriage. Various religious groups and their supporters in the U.S. tend to either support same-sex marriage or greatly oppose it, depending on their viewpoints and beliefs. Thus, the constant, bitter arguments between these parties.

Countless persons are against same sex marriage but in some ways support it. Many same sex marriage adversaries differ centered only on the use of the word marriage. Those adversaries to same sex marriage feel that the term marriage is defined by the public or religious beliefs and should be in some degree limited to only a relationship between man and woman. There is a discussion over what to call same sex marriage however it falls into account the true nature of what gays seek and opponents oppose. Gays seek full marriage equality in every way not the separate but equal status. Since marriage is a basic human right and an individual personal choice, the state should not interfere with same gender couples who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitment.

Same-Sex marriage has been a huge topic in recent days, weeks, months, and years. One by one numerous countries and states have realized that the right to marry is exactly that a RIGHT! But still so many fight against it through reasons of religion, fear of the unknown, or just to be hateful. Left and right they’ve tried every way possible to keep loving couples (some with children, either adopted or born via surrogacy) from getting to say “This is my husband or this is my wife”, share a last name, stand before their friends, family, and God (or whatever higher power in which they believe) and say “This man/woman is my forever.”, and even more seriously, have access to the legal benefits of marriage that are too many to mention in this moment but each is something that many opposite-sex couples take for granted every day. I, being a Christian and a gay man who hopes to one day say “I do” to the man God blesses me to have, have heard both sides of the story numerous times in many different ways and have noticed the main arguments used against this issue seem to consist of “It goes against the definition of a traditional marriage”, “It will destroy all marriages”, and “It endangers children/will decrease the population”. All of these arguments, in context and lack of research into the opposite side, do seem do have some play in this matter but when you look at what the