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Same Sex Marriages Should Be Legal

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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).
Shared opinions provide the psychological basis for intergroup conflicts (Bluic, McGarty, Thomas, Lala, Berdsen, & Misajon, 2015). These can help understand differing attitudes that are formed towards gay and lesbian individuals (Herek, 2004). Inter group opinions help define identity, and what certain individuals stand for and against. Furthermore, these identities form a platform for collective action (Bluic et al. 2015).

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