Gay Marriage, or just Marriage?

Most people refer to the marriage between two people of the same sex as gay marriage. This is just another way to separate the people deemed different from society from the people deemed normal to society. The only way that us, as a society, will be able to move on from the whole gay marriage argument is if we stop thinking about it as something different than normal, stop calling it gay marriage and just call it marriage! You wouldn't go up to someone and say, "hi I'm straight Steve." You would say, "Hi I'm Steve." There is no reason as to why we should have to call any union gay. Or should we start calling the marriage between two straight people straight marriage? No, right? That seems ridiculous. So think about that next time you hear or see something about gay marriage.

Let's Bring Religion Into It

As many people are aware one of the main arguments against gay marriage is that it goes against people's religion. The Catholic church's definition of marriage is: "covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life and which is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring." So even if it didn't state that it was between a man and a woman a gay married couple would still not be able to fulfill all the requirements because they are not able to procreate. The original purpose of marriage was to be able to have children in order to keep the human race alive, and with a gay marriage this purpose remains unfulfilled. Also, keep in mind that the freedom of religion is in the United States Constitution and there is no amendment to accommodate gay marriage. So, should gay marriage, even though it is currently legal it might not necessarily stay that way,  remain legal? And does it infringe on some people's religious freedoms? These are important questions to consider when developing your viewpoint on this subject.

Whose Freedom is More Important?

Freedom is one of the original factors that separated the United States from the rest of the world. We were the first (modern day) democracy and had more freedom than any other State in the late 1700's and early 1800's. Today, some Americans still take pride in our early successes in the field of gaining  and maintaining freedom, but are we still a nation that can pride itself on its pursuit of freedom?

A 2012 Texas Republican Candidate Platform suggested that it was all about preserving our American freedom. Sounds great right? Wrong. Later in that same document they talk about making it a felony for homosexuals to have consensual sex. They want to preserve your freedom, but only if you aren't doing things that they dislike. Up until 2015 gay marriage wasn't legal throughout the United States until September of 2015. Making it the 17th country to legalize equal marriage. The following is a list of who legalized/ will legalize equal marriage and when:

Netherlands (4/2001)
Belgium (6/2003)
Spain (7/2005)
Canada (2005)
South Africa (11/2006)
Norway (1/2009)
Sweden (5/2009)
Portugal (1/2010)
Iceland (6/2010)
Argentina (7/2010)
New Zealand (4/2013)
Brazil (5/2013)
France (5/2013)
Uruguay (8/2013)
Mexico (6/2015)
Ireland (8/2015)
United States (9/2015)
Finland (3/2017)

So, whose freedom is more important? That of everyone or that of a group of people? Gay/ equal marriage is an expansion of freedom, not a reduction of it.


"Same-Sex Marriage." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.

Corvino, John. "Same-Sex Marriage Furthers the American Values of Freedom and Equality." Same-Sex Marriage. Ed. Tamara Thompson. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2015. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "The Case for Same-Sex Marriage." Debating Same-Sex Marriage 83 (2012). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.

Daughter Raised by Same-Sex Couple Speaks Out Against Gay Marriage

This video is a few years old, but the message is still the same. Equal marriage is something that should be available to all people everywhere. Even though now it is legal, it isn't accepted by everyone. There are still those who oppose equal marriage for reasons that are nonsensical.

The Cost of Raising Children in Same-sex homes

A typical wish for most married couples is the possibility of children. This is no different for same sex couples, except for the fact that they, on their own, cannot procreate. This, however, does not stop same-sex couples from adopting children to call their own. This seems to be a solution to the overwhelming amount of orphaned children, but is being raised by a homosexual couple doing more harm than good? Studies show that boys raised by lesbian couples are less masculine and that girls raised by lesbian couples are more masculine. This is detrimental to our beloved patriarchal society. It is expected that men are strong and, for lack of a better word, masculine, and that women are compliant and feminine. If we allow for our future generations to be raised by same-sex couples then we will be destroying everything that we know. Also, children raised in homosexual environments are more likely to have a homoerotic relationship. So, by allowing our children to be raised in homosexual homes they are more likely to become homosexual and we are allowing our society as we know it to be destroyed.

Judith Stacey and Timothy Biblarz, "(How) Does the Sexual Orientation of Parents Matter?" American Sociological Review66: 159-183. See especially 168-171.

Why Discriminate?

What is the point of discriminating against the LGBT community. How is it fair that just because someone is different they shouldn't be able to marry who they want to? You don't see gay people trying to ban straight marriage because it's "gross" or "unnatural." This is an example that should be followed by all. I'm not saying that all straight people are the problem, I'm just saying that this sort of discrimination shouldn't be happening. All people were created equal, and they should be treated as such. If some people were able to remember the golden rule from kindergarten then maybe they would have a different reaction to gay marriage, or "marriage" as it should be addressed. There is no harm being done to heterosexuals due to gay marriage, so they should accept that times are changing and adapt.

The Price that Children have to pay

In a same sex marriage with children involved there is price that the children will end up paying. The children are lacking a parent from both genders and this can cause emotional damage. When being raised by a same sex couple a child is disconnected from gender cues from the people around them, they often feel resentment from being disconnected from one or two biological parents, or wish they had a role model of the opposite sex. On top of that they are being thrown into the middle of moral hazards which can be extremely stressful for children. If children were to be raised by parents from both genders then these particular sources of stress would be eliminated from their lives.

Lopez, Robert Oscar. "Children Pay a Lifelong Emotional Price for Same-Sex Parenting." Same-Sex Marriage. Ed. Tamara Thompson. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2015. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "Justice Kennedy's 40,000 Children." Public Discourse (2 May 2013).Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.

Benefits to Society

Equal marriage is typically viewed as a negative aspect of society. However there are benefits to society from equal marriage. For example it promotes equality and non-discrimination in society. The legalization of equal marriage was a very important step in reducing homophobia in our country. This law showed the people of the United States that LGBT are also people. 

With the legalization of same-sex marriage the marriage industry is making more money than ever before. Nearly $260 million was injected into the New York City economy the year after gay marriage was legalized. Even large businesses recognize the importance of recognizing gay marriage in order to retain more LGBT staff and customers. This also helps businesses become more lucrative, over-all helping the economy.

Lipp, Murray. "Same-Sex Marriage Benefits Society in Many Ways." Same-Sex Marriage. Ed. Tamara Thompson. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2015. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "7 Ways the USA Benefits From the Legalization of Gay Marriage."  Huffington Post (2 June 2013). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

First Gay Marriage, What next?

With the legalization of gay marriage, the whole institution of marriage may be compromised. Not very many people ever expected that gay marriage would one day be legalized and now it has. Nobody can tell which group of individuals will want to further distort the sanctity of marriage. With gay marriage being legal there how will we be able to stop the polygamists. It was predicted in 2005 that along with the legalization of gay marriage there will be an argument for marriage between groups, family members, and maybe even between "a man and his donkey." This may sound crazy, but one can never know what will come further down the road. The future isn't able to be predicted and with the rise of people with very different beliefs it is logical that perhaps these different marriages might be on the road to legalization in the future. Also, gay marriage confuses gender roles that have been established and in use for many years. So, really think about it. What will come after gay marriage? Incestuous marriages, polygamous marriages, or even pedephilic marriages they may seem far fetched, but 20 years ago so did the legalization of gay marriage.

"Gay Marriage ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. N.p., 16 Oct. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015. <http://gaymarriage.procon.org/>.

You Can't Really Argue With the Supreme Court, Can You?

Even though same- sex marriage is still a debated topic the Supreme Court voted and supported same-sex marriage. Some states and individuals try to fight this still, but in  reality what the federal government says go's. After all the federal law is the supreme law of the land as said in the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution. Our founding fathers worked diligently to put together our Constitution so that we would be able to resolve issues like this. Sure, originally the Supreme Court was kind of a joke, but that all changed with Marbury v. Madison; which was the Supreme Court case that instituted Judicial Review. The Supreme Court decided (with a 5-4 vote) that same-sex marriage is Constitutional, therefore the states have to comply. No couple is allowed to be denied marriage because of their sexual orientation. Honestly the vote should not have been this close, it should have been a 9-0 vote. There is no reasonable explanation as to why any state should be able to deny a couple a marriage license based on their sexual orientation. After all we don't deny people who have been divorced to get married, but that goes against one of the basic principles of marriage: "'Til death so us part." Basically since the Supreme Court is the Supreme Law of the land their decision is final and must be obeyed. They had the logic to see that all human beings deserve to be married regardless of their sexual orientation and the states must respect that.

What is a Civil Right?

A civil right is an enforceable right or privilege, which if interfered with by another gives rise for action or injury. Examples of civil rights include; the freedom of speech and press; right to vote; and the right to equality everywhere. Nowhere on this list is the freedom of marriage. Marriage is a privilege, not a right. A main argument for those for equal marriage is that it is a civil right, but that isn't true. People try to compare the gay rights movement to the African American civil rights movement. Those two movements are very different. African Americans have been oppressed for as long as anyone can remember. They were in fact enslaved by our society until the end of the Civil War. Gays were never enslaved, they are not fighting for the freedom to vote or to be able to be equal to everyone else. They want to get married and say that it is a civil right to do so. Their struggles are nowhere near that of the African Americans prior to the civil rights movement. A civil right is to be equal, not just to get married. Marriage isn't necessary to American Culture, but eating and being afforded the same basic rights as everyone else is. So, decide for yourself, is it okay for the gay rights movement to call their marriage a civil right?

Equal Marriage or Constitutional Rights?

According to our bill of rights we all have the right to due process, which says that we won't be arrested for ridiculous reasons and we won't be imprisoned for unreasonable amounts of time. This, however, was not the case for Kim Davis who refused to give a gay couple a marriage license. She was arrested and thrown in jail for a weekend. Was that really necessary? She was just trying to follow her religious beliefs and she was persecuted for it. Charges were thankfully not pressed, but the weekend in jail must not have been pleasant. I believe that putting her in jail was overkill for following her beliefs. We do have freedom of religion in this nation, so she shouldn't have been punished that severely. I would understand if she was reprimanded by her boss, or given a letter in her file, but jail? Is that what we have become? Do we persecute those who follow their religion for others. Does the first amendment not mean anything? I understand that she legally had to issue them a marriage license, but wouldn't it have just been easier to go to a different county clerk? So, think for yourself, was her punishment just? And what is more important, the Constitution or Equal marriage?

What is Marriage?

As defined by Webster marriage is 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. As you can plainly see a man and a woman, not a man and a man or a woman and a woman. Marriage has been around for about as long as humans have been. There was never the idea of same-sex marriage until recently. The very idea of same sex marriage goes against the whole idea of marriage. A huge argument for same-sex marriage is that marriage is a civil right, but it's not a civil right. Marriage is a privilege, not a right that anyone can have. Freedom of speech is a right, the right to petition the government is a right, and the right to bear arms is a right. Last time I checked I didn't see the right to marry whoever you want in The Constitution or in the Bill of Rights. Just because you want something doesn't mean that it is a right, so please check your facts before you embarrass yourself.

Children with Same-Sex Parents

People for years have been going on about how children raised by same-sex parents aren't as well of as those raised in a traditional household setting. People like to use the argument that father knows best, but is that true? There are studies, Michael Lamb has performed hundreds pf these studies, that prove that children raised by homosexual parents are just as healthy as those raised by heterosexual parents. The Australian Study of Child Health in Same-Sex Familiar performed an experiment which proved that children raised by same-sex parents are generally more willing to communicate any issues that they are having in school like bullying. This promotes the development of openness and means that children tend to be more resilient. So, does father really know best or is that one more thing that has to adapt with the changing times? 

1.     Jackson, Nicholas. "Children in Same-Sex Households Are Healthier than Their Peers." Same-Sex Marriage. Ed. Tamara Thompson. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2015.

2.     Current Controversies. Rpt. from "Once and for All: Gay Marriage Is Not Bad for Kids." Pacific Standard (26 June 2013). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 17 Sept. 2015.

Does Equal Marriage Impact Religious Freedom?

Some people that oppose equal marriage say that it goes against their religion, but is that really a valid excuse? These people say that equal marriage goes against their belief that homosexuality is a sin, but also that the passage of same sex marriage causes and will cause religious figures to be incarcerated for refusing to perform same sex marriages. This, however, is not the case. There have been no arrests on any pastor who has refused to perform a same sex marriage. Ted Cruz, who opposes equal marriage, has used the case where a pastor in Sweden has compared homosexuality to cancer was arrested. However, this man was not arrested for anything to do with same sex marriage. He was arrested for hate crimes under Sweden's hate crime statutes because they do no have the freedom of speech that us Americans are lucky to have. In conclusion those who oppose equal marriage due to religious reasons do not have a leg to stand on. I mean, America isn't a theocracy, now is it?

 

Lampo, David. "Same-Sex Marriage Does Not Impact Religious Freedom." Same-Sex Marriage. Ed. Tamara Thompson. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2015. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "The Right's Bait and Switch on Same-Sex Marriage." The Blaze (2 Aug. 2013). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 17 Sept. 2015.

Why All The Fuss?

This is an issue that divides the nation. Family and friends cannot help but to argue over this. But is equal marriage really that appalling that people can't just leave those who choose to partake in this rite alone? First, for those who don't know, equal marriage, or same sex marriage, is the union of two people of the same sex in the rite of marriage. There are a lot of opponents of equal marriage, both religious and not. Their arguments vary, but still the one thing that doesn't make sense is why can't they just leave same sex couples alone. A same sex couple getting married isn't going to negatively, or otherwise, impact you unless you make it. If you choose to be bothered and personally offended by this act of love that is your problem, not the problem of those who don't even know you.

"Same-Sex Marriage." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2015. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 15 Sept. 2015.