Same-Sex Marriages
Over the years, the levels of acceptance to same-sex marriages have risen gradually. On large scale, much of this ‘acceptance’ comes in the form of tolerance. It is now perfectly bearable for heterosexuals to turn show approval of their relatives or their friends procuring gay marriages. After all, it is much easier to put aside one’s distaste to this occurrence, than face the vicious accusations that would follow if they said a word that in the least betray their objections. However, do you suppose that this tolerance makes this kind of marriages okay? No, on the contrary, this passive acceptance is not only hypocritical, but it also masks the real moral questions surrounding this issue.
Often, the proponents of same sex-marriages are those individuals who personally gay. They base their argument in their supposed orientation to same-sex attraction. According to these individuals, this orientation is inborn and consequently involuntary. That being the case, they argue that the only way they can lead happy and actualized lives is only if they are able to pursue exploit their sexuality in the way they are oriented. Given that, they have a claim to human rights, like every other person who is not gay; they claim that any restriction to their formalizing of gay marriages is contemptuous to the inalienable nature of their rights.
Secondly, the proponents of same-sex marriages base their defence in the consensual nature any marriage. Essentially, two adults
Some people may argue that marriage is a human right and not a heterosexual privilege. People believe that the illegalization of gay marriage has gone on far too long. They feel as if the legalization can transmute the way the world optically views them. “In order to attain equal rights, same sex couples must be able to have their relationship legally recognized, no matter where they live in the country "The Best Arguments for Gay Rights." Weblog post. N.P., n.d. Web.”
In addition to the hostility and embarrassment that homosexuals face every day, they also encounter political and legal policies and practices that prevent them from living a normal life like heterosexual people. For example, there are laws that prevent people of the same gender to be legally married to each other such as proposition eight in California. Gay people just want the right to be able to be happy with a significant other, make a family, and show their loyalty in each other through marriage. There is no difference whether that significant other is of the same gender or opposite, at the end of the day they just want that chance of happiness just like everyone else. Unfortunately, there are laws in places that prevent that from becoming true. Not allowing homosexuals to marry can affect many people’s lives and can even be detrimental to one’s health. For example in the article “The Case of Sharon Kowalski and Karen Thompson: Ableism,
The two texts examined within, present the opposing extremes of views regarding gay and lesbian marriage. The first text entitled Let Gays Marry by Andrew Sullivan examines the intricacies of same sex relationships and why homosexual couples should be allowed to publicly show affection for one another. The second text that will be examined is titled Leave Marriage Alone written by William Bennett. Bennett gives his views on why couples of same sex nature should not be allowed to engage in marital relations. These two authors, although very different, each has a view of the ideals of marriage, and how it should be presented to the public.
Advocates for same-sex marriage base their argument in the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. They contend that same-sex couples are denied the basic right of marriage. Their
Those that are oppose same sex marriage focus their reasoning on religious beliefs. Same sex couples do not want to be treated as second class citizens, they do not focus on what religion states; they just want to be treated as equal as heterosexuals when it comes to their right. Same sex couples believe if one is to bar any class of people from marrying whomever they choose, it then deprives them of their social institution; that many feel defines the most meaningful part of life, to marry someone one loves. Same sex couples believe that their relationships are no different than that of a heterosexual marriage. Same sex couples can have maintain a home together, provide an environment that children can thrive in and care for each other the same as heterosexual married couples do (Goldberg-Hiller, 2002).
Same sex marriage is one of the most controversial trends that appear in the world today. In today’s society most of us are taught that a marriage should be a
The topic of homosexual marriages, or the marrying of two people of the same sex, is rather disputed among the majority of people in today’s society. Only small amounts of the population have opinions that are strongly favoring one side of the debate. For most of society who are the middle-of-the-road citizens, it is a tough call to make one way or the other. The main topics that are disputed are raising children in a same-sex household, the capacity of churches to allow such a marriage, and the integrity of a marriage as a legal document. These arguments will be expressed through the viewpoints of Andrew Sullivan and William Bennett. Sullivan is the author of the essay “Let Gays Marry” which was printed by Newsweek in June of 1996.
Gays and lesbians can also be granted the rights to legal marriage in order to ensure that all citizens enjoy full human rights. Therefore, if gay marriage is legalized they can have the same rights as heterosexuals in terms of adoption and medical right. On the other hand, the religions would be offended since marriage is an institution supposed to be holy and ordained by God if gays and lesbians are legalized. Therefore, by allowing same sex marriage sanctity of marriage would be violated. If gay marriages are not legally recognized the harmful consequences the couples would face include inability to participate in medical decisions that involve their partner who are dying, lack of right to own common property and exclusion from employment benefits. Opponents also fear that if gay marriages are recognized the society is more likely to accept same sex relationships as moral. The traditional definition of marriage is valuable and the society should define it as the only marriage and legitimize it. As a result, gay marriages are the eventual rejection of objective reality where an environment of going against the norm is
For those parties against same sex marriage, especially the religions, they have a strong belief that the non-heterosexual marriage violates the dogmas that were formed long long ago. They have this believing are mainly because the institution of marriage has two meanings, one of them is the meaning of civil partnership, and the other meaning is the religious marriage in the religions. In countries which have separations between the churches and the states, these two meanings are controlled by the two separate interest groups. The religious party, would protest against the same sex marriage is because due to the absence of the religious interest in state`s decision making. Those who are against it argue that same-sex relationships are immoral, against God's will and subvert the goal of human sexuality, which is to produce children. The Islamic faith openly rejects homosexuality, citing the story of Lot in Sodom as a condemnation of homosexuality. Many of those who take a particular position on same-sex marriage do so because of their beliefs about family. Many argue that a child has a right to grow up with a father and a mother, and to raise him or her in a homosexual household is to deny him that right. On the other hand, scientific studies have found
Proponents to the legalization of same sex marriage came up with a lot of reasons as why gay marriage should be legal. The major ones are that not allowing same sex people to get married prevents them from getting legal benefits like hospital visitation, health insurance, family leave and more. They also argued that they are fighting for their rights the same way African Americans were fighting back in the day, and that gay marriage will not threaten our society. For centuries, religious and political leaders had protected the sanctity of marriage as the union of a person with a member of the opposite sex for procreation in a consensual and
First, it can clearly be seen that same-sex marriage is primarily about equality. Everyone has equal rights and liberties to chase happiness, as long as it does not cause harm to the society, so why should their freedoms be limits? Why can’t someone be able to marry a person they truly love? Discrimination and banning homosexual couples to get married violates human rights and freedoms. Laws which against gay marriage deny the First Amendment which states that everyone has freedom of speech, expression and religion. Sexual determination is an option, so it is how some people can express themselves.
How would you feel if someone told you that you couldn’t marry the love of your life simply because society doesn’t think that it is right? Can you imagine the devastation you would feel, being told that you are an inferior specimen my society? This travesty is occurring in our country on a daily basis. Same-sex marriage should be nationally legalized in the United States with a law or an amendment because it is a step closer to equality for everyone. There are many obstacles in the way of the national legalization of same-sex marriage. The most prevalent of these are the government’s current laws on the subject. Some of the laws that the government has ‘protecting marriage’ are nothing short of barbaric. Another obstacle to the
For years and years, homosexuals have fought for the right to marry their loved one. It has been looked down upon, called immoral, sinful, and deeds of the devil, but that is not the way it is seen by those who support or engage in it. Supporters view marriage as the union of two individuals who love each other. They no longer see it as the concept of "traditional marriage". They believe traditional marriage has changed over time, and that the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman is historically inaccurate (should
The concept of marriage is in danger of being misunderstood due to same-sex couples wanting to be married and acquire the same benefits as heterosexual marriages. The fundamental purpose of marriage is uniting a man and a woman in a worthy cause to preserve human civilization. If everyone was homosexual, then how could our species be repeatedly produced? This problem could end human existence. Besides, even those who are not homosexual have restrictions on marriage so they can not assume they are being discriminated upon. Restrictions are created to keep the balance and concept of the idea from being muddled. Their sexual orientation has nothing to do with why these rules were put into place. As a result, homosexual individuals have the right to marry along with everyone else as long as the restrictions are not crossed. All rights are equal among the people even when dealing with marriage. Just because somebody has different
Imagine if you had a child love someone who has same sex and wanted you to accept their love for each other by being at their wedding. Would you attend the wedding? Some would say yes; however, others would say no. Why would they say “No”? Because marriage has been traditionally defined as a religious and legal commitment between a man and a woman.