Same Sex Marriage Should Be Respected

Homosexuality has become a significant factor among individuals in today’s society. Once a taboo that was never discussed, many people hid their sexual orientation. Now, homosexuality has become more common as newer generations have become more open-minded. The rise in the LGTB movement has allowed people to openly express their sexuality without being discriminated against. Although homosexuality has become more socially acceptable, some states still have anti-gay laws and there are numerous individuals who believe that gay marriage is harmful and unnatural. Hozier’s “Take Me to Church,” Demi Lovato’s “Really Don’t Care” and Macklemore’s “Same Love” demonstrate society’s discrimination of homosexuals and why homosexuality should be accepted and respected through the lyrics and images in the videos.

Same-sex marriage continues to be a very high debated issue in our society without a firm foundation to base our beliefs on, leaving most of us trying to find answers still. Now that the Supreme Court of the united states has rules that the constitution guarantees a right to same sex marriage’ What was known as “marriage”, the union of a man and a woman only, is starting to diverge. The Oxford Dictionary of English definition of marriage reads “the formal union of a man and a woman, typically as recognized by law, by which they become husband and wife”(381). The function of a dictionary is to give us an unbiased definition of what words mean. The words “husband” and “wife” show that marriage is a close union between a man and a woman. But people have decided to define the word how they seem to fit better their ideals, therefore altering the definition altogether. As it may be obvious, we can not look at a dictionary to find a strong belief; let me continue with the search of a strong bases and a firm foundation to which we can hold our beliefs.

All men were created equal. It is for this reason that gays have the same rights when it comes to housing, jobs, protection under the law, and so on, despite their difference in sexual preference. Well then, if gays have the same rights as heterosexual men and women, why can they not be legally married in the U.S? That is the question that half our country should be asking themselves, since 50% of U.S citizens oppose gay marriage. However, extraordinarily, 75% of the people in the U.S are all for gay rights (Bidstrup). But, when it comes to marriage, for one reason or another, the line is drawn. Gay relationships are the same as straight relationships in all aspects except

Gay marriages have been an ongoing event in the United States for many years. It was not until June 26, 2015 when gay marriage was legalized for all states with a five to four ratio. With gay marriage being legalized, there became many controversies in the nation. The most recent controversy was when a Kentucky county clerk was jailed after defying a federal court order to issue marriage licenses to a same-sex couple. She did not issue because she did not believe that homosexuality should be accepted in society. Many people agreed to the act but others opposed. There are many ways to look at homosexuality and here are three different sociological perspectives of how gay marriage is recognized. The perspectives are structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and conflict theory.

Have you ever wonder how it felt to have a partner for 30 years, but according to the law, you are not a family member? Has your partner been sick and you could not make any decisions regarding their health, because you are not family? Also, this person for whom you have shared your life with cannot and will not qualify for health insurance as a spouse? Hospitals cannot legally allow gay partners to receive medical information about their condition without it being a blood relative. These are all just some of the difficulties that gay people have encountered for many years. We as heterosexual people do not encounter these problems and take it for granted that everybody is and should be treated equal. It is an issue about equal rights. Gay marriage is a reality, it is just that society needs to be accepting and force laws to change. Just think about this, there are approximately eight million adults that are either gay, lesbian or bisexual and compromise about three and half percent of the adult population (Gates, 2011)

“8” is play based on Proposition 8 where a same sex couple filed a lawsuit against the state of California. The play is a great example of equality. Everyone in the play got to defend what he or she believed in. The play “8” was written by Dustin Lance Black. It gives the audience a look into the argument of both sides of same sex marriage. The actors did a great job of getting their points across about why and why not gay marriage should be recognized. One side argued that gay marriage is redefining marriage and when raising children, it is better for them to see a woman and man married not a mother and mother, while the other side argued that gay marriage is not redefining marriage and that it doesn’t matter because they have the right to marry the person they want to marry whether it be same sex, or race. The actors in the play were very believably. I felt as if I was witnessing a real case in court. They stated “facts” and most of them had their information correct to back it up. There were a couple instances where someone began arguing their case and had nothing to back up what they were speaking about.

What is marriage about? Who is marriage for? What are some of the complications with marriages in today’s society? How does religion plays a major part in marriage? According to Toby L. Ditz, “Marriage laws have historically withheld and continue to withhold the right to marry and the legal privileges associated with marriage from whole classes of people: slaves, interracial couples, and gay partners (Ditz, 2001,500)”. The way marriage is viewed in this newer generation differs significantly from the past. People’s observations and opinions on matrimony and its true meaning have changed extensively. Marriage is not less valued currently, but it 's definitely being viewed differently, for homosexuals especially. Within this research, we are going to examine why same sex marriage is morally right and should be legally recognized.

The definition of marriage in today’s society is often debated. Some people believe marriage consists of only a man and a woman and believe that gay-marriage is against the Bible. Some people believe that marriage can include same-sex couples too. The idea or view that marriage means only one man and one woman is outdated. Also in the past this idea has been swayed by religious beliefs. If we were to base all of our laws on the bible there would be a tremendous amount of people going to jail for every little thing under the sun. For example; a married man falls in love with another woman and with a bible based law he is then put in jail for adultery. Another example is a teenage girl lies to get out of trouble she is then put into jail for lying.

One of the leading political debates in our country today is the legalization of same-sex marriages. The very image of marriage is evolving on an on-going basis due to society and the major changes between society defined unions. The definition of marriage, as defined by Webster’s Dictionary, states “Marriage, n., (1) the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2) the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage <same-sex marriage>.” The change was not made until 2003. Marriage, as per society, is a special event in

Gay marriage is an up and rising controversial issue, until seven years ago it wasn’t common to come around others of the same sex married. In a span of seven years numbers raised from ⅓ to over ½ of the homosexual community that are now married to another partner. This topic caught my attention because several of my family members including the newest member my older sister, are now considered a part of the homosexual community, and it seems as time goes on this population continues to grow. For the past thousand years, marriage has been recognized as the social union between man and woman. Same-sex marriage is the legal union between two people of the same gender. Throughout history, same sex unions have taken place around the world, but laws recognizing such marriages did not start occurring until more modern times. In most cultures across the world, homosexuality was viewed as wrong, and marriages between same-sex couples were forbidden. The issue of gay marriage has been a raging battle since the late twentieth century. The individual States are left to determine the laws that govern this situation today. Gays and other liberals feel that they have a right to join together in harmony, while the conservative groups in the United States fight this situation persistently. Gay marriage can be a touchy subject for some and the way people were brought up could ultimately affect their views and opinions. With an increased tolerance for homosexuality in today’s society, the

The broader debate about whether same-sex marriages should be given legal recognition in Australia has been on for several years due to the conflicts between various groups regarding its legalisation. Although over 72% Australians support marriage equality, there are still about 14% who strongly oppose the same-sex institution of marriage (Same- sex marriage research, 2014). Various factors are accountable in influencing attitudes towards same-sex marriage, including, religious orientation (Olson, Cadge, & Harrison, 2006; Walls, 2010), right-wing authoritarianism and masculinity. Understanding the differing attitudes of people towards homosexuals is crucial to not only reduce sexual prejudice, but also to gain a better insight towards same-sex marriage to close the discrimination gap between heterosexual couples and homosexual couples. We propose that the differing attitudes towards same-sex marriages can be understood in terms of intergroup conflicts or conflicting views between groups – support and opposition towards same- sex marriages (Herek, 2004).

Consider how you would feel if you were told that who you are, and the way you feel isn’t human. Imagine being treated like a young confused animal, which can be “re-trained,” for lack of a better phrase, if society just doesn’t accept who you are. This is a sad state of affairs, gay or straight, people are people and they should not be treated as anything less. Same-sex couples should be awarded the same benefits and rights as heterosexual couples, including the right to marriage.

Ever since the time when America studied family values and focused on healthy and important influences, marriage was considered to be between man and woman holding a physical and spiritual bond between each other, not between man and man and woman and woman. Some may see marriage as between two people of the same gender, or what is known as same-sex marriage. This form of marriage became popular in the U.S. during the 1960’s and 1970’s due to the urge of legalization coming from many American citizens at the time. (“The Long Road to Marriage Equality”) The topic creates controversy due to the fact that many believe this subject disagrees with most religions and because it defies the morals that our

“We hold these Truths to be self evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…” (Declaration of Independence, US 1776). The recognition of same-sex marriage is an issue influenced by numerous factors, and debates continue to arise over whether people in same-sex relationships have the right marriage. Marriage provides many benefits, legally, financially, and personally. Same-sex marriage can open up those in same-sex relationships to tax benefits and financial demands comparable to those afforded to and required of people in opposite-sex marriages. Same-sex marriage also gives them legal protections, such as hospital visitation rights and inheritances. The introduction of same-sex marriage laws has varied by jurisdiction, being variously accomplished through legislative change to marriage laws, a court ruling based on constitutional guarantees of equality, or by direct popular vote. Various faith communities around the world support allowing those of the same sex to marry, while many major religions oppose same-sex marriage. Why are people so opposed to homosexual marriage if it does not involve or hurt them? Many say it is because they are concerned about the wellbeing of society, despite multiple studies that show that same-sex couples help society and children around the globe.

Can you imagine your wedding day? Do you see yourself walking towards your husband all dressed up in a pretty white dress or watching your wife walk towards you, as you stand at the end of the isle, awaiting her to be given to you? There are flowers everywhere, music playing, and all your family and friends there watching you in the spot light. Now, imagine that person that your lovely walk towards being the same sex as you. Does that change your image? Times are changing, traditions are changing, and so should people 's mind set on equality for marriage. Same-sex marriage is a marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or gender identity. This paper argues that same sex marriages should be legalized because, just as heterosexuals, we all share the same blood.