Gay Marriage Should Be Legal

Debates about gay marriage continue to simmer within American public discourse, though much of the more heated rhetoric has calmed since the earliest efforts to legalize same-sex marriage succeeded in numerous states. These debates have spanned many topics, ranging from religion to politics and beyond. Andrew Sullivan, a prominent gay and self-described conservative political commentator, addressed one angle of the issue in his July 19, 2011 Newsweek Magazine article “Why Gay Marriage is Good for America.” Through a mixture of personal reflection, social commentary, and political argumentation, Sullivan’s article is less a defense of gay marriage than it is a defense of the idea that gay marriage is compatible with conservative political values. Although Sullivan makes a good case for his position in the article, his argument is ultimately under-developed; the lengthy personal reflections serve to reinforce a relatively minor point in the context of the larger argument, shifting focus away from the more relevant portions of the argument.

In the article “For Gay Marriage” Andrew Sullivan claims that withholding marriage from homosexuals is perhaps the most social attack concerning their social likeness. Sullivan reasons that regardless of one’s sexual preference, one has the entitlement to marry a significant other. Likewise, Sullivan reinforces the idea of marriage by claiming that a contract such as marriage is, “...an emotional, financial, and psychological bond between two people; in this respect heterosexuals and homosexuals are identical” (30). In addition to discussing the definition of marriage in our society today, Sullivan enlightens the conservative idea that domestic partnerships diminish the idea of marriage (31). If a person

Marriage, by definition, is the institution whereby men and women are joined in a special kind of social and legal dependence for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family. In today’s society however, things are changing. People of all genders are forming bonds with one another, and homosexuals are vying for the right to have their love established as marriage as well. Should men and men, and women and women, be allowed the right of marriage just like heterosexual couples in America? Andrew Sullivan and William Bennett have opposing opinions on this subject, however are more alike in opinion than they know. Their articles tell different stories, with the same general underlying tone.

People have raised some concerns regarding same-sex marriage. The Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund has responded to some of these issues. Some people feel that marriage is a traditional union and that same-sex marriages would “ruin” the tradition. The Lambda

The concept of gay or same sex marriage is controversial. There are a number of countries where homosexual couples are allowed to marry with their relationship gaining the same recognition as heterosexual couples; countries who allow gay marriage include Sweden, Spain, Canada, Iceland and Argentina. In the US nine states, plus Washington DC provide for gay marriages (FTM, 2012). It would appear that there is a gradual movement towards acceptance of gay marriage, but with only a minatory of people living in areas where gay marriage is accepted there is still a great deal of resistance, with a restatement of arguments against gay marriage, but when examining those arguments many are flawed and reflect fears rather than fact.

Right now our country is still dealing with one of the bigger social issues that plagues our society. People will argue for and against it in many different ways, whether it be right or wrong. The issue at hand is whether gay marriage should be legal or illegal. There are arguments on both sides of the spectrum, but at the end of the day gay marriage should be legal in all 50 states. Marriage is a right and freedom that should not be denied to any one person because of sexual orientation.

“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.

Before the ruling on June 26, 2015 for gay marriage to be legal in all fifty states, thirty seven out of the fifty and Washington D.C already legalized gay marriage. Many support gay marriage and many do not, with widespread values and reasons for and against it. Due to religion and rights people across the nation have differing views and opinions of it.In a five to four vote in the Supreme Court gay marriage became legalized in all fifty states. Shortly after that a few marriage officiators and marriage licenses people began refusing services and documents for gay marriage.Some states also started placing bans on gay marriage. Everyone is allowed their own bias on the issue, but take a moment and think about all the reasons the other side has.The legalizing of gay marriage should be accepted and acknowledged in all fifty states.

What if you met someone and fell deep in love? What if they meant everything in the world to you? Wouldn’t you do whatever it takes to make them happy? What if i told you that you couldn’t? and that no matter how much you showed someone that you are meant to be that you couldn’t marry them? Wouldn’t that tear you apart inside?. “The Human Rights Campaign Foundation states that 4 - 10 young people live in a community that doesn’t except them or who they choose to love”( as cited in HRC.org 2014). Gay Marriage should be legal in all states and it should be allowed the same benefits of hetroexual marriage,because This central idea of traditional marriage is inaccurate ,everyone should have the chance to marry who they love, and stable gay marriage homes benefits adoption practices worldwide.

One of the most controversial issues around today is gay marriages. Many believe that the media is primly responsible for the idea of same-sex marriages, but when it all comes down to it there are really only two sides; those who support gay marriages, and those who oppose them. Two authors write their opinions on their opposite views on this issue. Sullivan (2002) supports same-sex marriages and believes marriage to be a universal right, not just restricted to heterosexuals. Contrary to Sullivan, Bennett (2002) believes that marriage is a sacred traditional family value that should be set aside for heterosexual couples. (2002)Throughout this essay, I will summarize both authors’ ideas and evaluate them through their evidence and

Sam Smith, George Takei, and Ellen Degeneres: what do all three of these celebrities have in common? On June 26 of 2015, they could all legally get married in any state in America. On June 26 of 2015, gay marriage was legalized in all fifty states of the United States. The Supreme Court issued their five to four ruling favor to make gays all over America completely ecstatic. In May of 2004, Massachusetts was the first state in America to legalize gay marriage. The final state to legalize gay marriage was Texas in June 2015 (“Facts at a Glance”). Out of the 320 million citizens in the United States, almost four percent of those citizens identify as homosexual and thirty seven percent do not agree with the legalization of gay marriage (“LGBT Percentage Highest in D.C., Lowest in North Dakota”). To help stabilize the disagreement between pro-gay marriage and anti-gay marriage, a compromise could be established. The compromise would include no public displays of affection between heterosexual or homosexual couples and a couple of any sexual orientation cannot adopt a child unless the couple have been married for more than one year.

. “The problem with gay marriage, some opponents say, is that it will harm the society. This is a legitimate concern, and one that needs to be addressed. Marriage has played a very important role in society and it is a valuable institution. So in what way will gay marriage destroy heterosexual marriage or prevent it from continuing to function? Will it destroy the institution of marriage itself? Aside from the fact that whether or not a homosexual couple gets married has no impact whatsoever on any actual heterosexual marriage, there conceivably might be some negative repercussions. Opponents argue that gay marriage will devalue marriage itself. Aside from the questionable, and obviously homophobic, implication, it will undermine marriage because gays will make a mockery of it, supposedly because they are gay, this is implausible. It has been argued that gays want marriage rights because they value the institution and want in on it. Andrew Sullivan is clear on this point whenever he raises the issue. Any devaluation would stem from bigotry on the part of heterosexuals, that is, their unduly judging gay marriages

Over time, society’s beliefs over human rights have changed dramatically. For example, interracial marriage was first declared constitutional and a basic right of all individuals during 1967. Decades previous to this year, it was considered taboo to interfere with the purity of one’s race. However, people eventually grew to accept that individuals of separate races can develop a loving relationship and should be able to express their feelings to the world. Nowadays, Americans, along with other people around the globe, are beginning to welcome the idea that individuals of the same gender can develop strong, loving bonds as well. Nonetheless, a portion of the population of the United States believes that the definition of marriage is “… the intimate union and equal partnership of a man and a woman” (“Meaning and Purpose”). Individuals with this belief have been attempting to elect government officials with the ability to suggest laws that forbid same-sex marriage such as a proposed amendment, which failed to pass in 2004, that declared that a marriage was to be composed of a man and a woman. Same-sex matrimonies and the definition of marriage have caused wide controversy, the establishment of supportive and opposing groups, and the formation of different thoughts over the topics that amendments should cover.

Therefore, viewed from religious and conventional thinking perspective, same-sex marriage is an outright immoral association of two people against natural and divine morals. However, despite the fact that the society continues to deny existence of same-sex marriage, gays and lesbians continue to practice their ‘marriages’ behind the scenes as evidenced by legislations adopted by various countries signifying their recognition of such practices in the society. Proponents of the same sex marriage argue that denial of same-sex marriage in the society amounts to discrimination based on people’s sexual orientations and thus unacceptable in the modern world of freedom and democracy. “Gay-rights advocates are intensifying efforts to gain legal recognition for same-sex unions saying that gay and lesbian couples need and deserve the same symbolic and practical benefits for their relationships enjoyed by heterosexuals” (Jost, 2003, p. 723). Gays and lesbians maintain that it is their inalienable right to enjoy same-sex marriage as their counterparts in opposite-sex marriage.

Marriage of same-sex couples is one of the most controversial aspects in our community. Many people look at it as something that goes against some religious beliefs and/or political views. Others, those who are pro GLBT rights, explain that everybody should be treated equally, and that sex orientation, race, or social class should not be taken into consideration when decisions concerning human rights are being studied. The issue of gay marriage is one of the controversies that leave our society searching for the answers.