Gay Marriage Ethical Dilemmas

The Controversial Dilemma of Gay Marriage
Marriage is defined as “The formal union of a man and a woman, typically recognized by law, by which they become husband and wife”. In our modern culture, the definition of marriage has changed. With the transition of same-sex marriage into our society, marriage can no longer be defined as a union solely between a man and a woman. Although same-sex marriage is not entirely permitted nationwide or even worldwide, it is recognized among us. “Gay Americans have been calling for the right to marry or at least to create more formalized relationships since the 1960s” (Masci). The issue is extremely controversial because of the beliefs each individual obtain. Majority of Americans believe in the traditional definition of marriage. However, many others believe that regardless of sex, individuals should be able to marry whomever they choose. Whether or not we choose to support or reject same-sex marriage, the topic will forever be debatable because of the conflicting opinions and moral beliefs each of us attain.
A large portion of the society that opposes same-sex marriage is our religious community. According to John Edmiston a full time Christian Missionary, religious individuals believe that if God had intended the human race to be fulfilled through both heterosexual and homosexual marriage, he would have designed our bodies to allow reproduction through both means and made both means of sexual intercourse
healthy and natural. Various studies can attest to the fact that homosexual behavior makes both men and women more vulnerable to disease and decreases lifespan. Moreover, The Bible reads that “each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband” (Corinthians 7:1-16). The bible also reads “In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion” (Roman 1:27). Those who are religious follow the word of God and he says that it isn’t ok for men to be with other men so that is what they believe as well. Additionally, others who oppose same-sex marriage “argue that marriage between a man and a woman is the bedrock of a healthy society because it leads to stable families and, ultimately, to children who grow up to be productive adults“(Masci). Those who oppose same-sex marriage believe that if our society accepts it, then it will lead to granting people in other non-traditional relationships such as those in polygamous relationships, the right to marry as well. Despite the beliefs of those who oppose same-sex marriage, same-sex marriage should be permitted and accepted, because of the fact that regardless of a person’s gender preference, they are human beings just as you and I are, and we should all be treated equally in spite of our differences. Heterosexual individuals are just as human as Homosexual individuals so why is the right to marry taken away from those who are gay? By banning same-sex marriage, society is showing citizens that they have to conform to what most people believe is socially and ethically correct instead of doing what pleases them. It displays that it isn’t ok to be different. It proves that as citizens, we really don’t make our own choices. America claims to be a “free country” and prides itself on allowing citizens to have rights, but isn’t it our right as citizens to marry? Why should it matter if it is two men or two women deciding to get married? A right is a right! It is heartbreaking to know that in our society, if we dare to be different, we’re ostracized and discriminated against instead of embraced for our individuality. Is this the kind of message that should be sent out to the public? Because of the discrimination against homosexuals, they are heavily harassed, bullied by society, and even worse; stripped of their rights as a citizen to marriage. Homosexuals even have a higher incidence of suicide, cutting, and depressive disorders because of the treatment they receive from society. According to J. Kaifetz,” 50% of suicides can be attributed to Homosexuals”. Instead of stripping gays from their right to marry and berating them for wanting to have the same rights as anyone else by society, allow them to be treated as equals to Heterosexuals. Although many cannot agree upon whether or not legalize same-sex marriage, there can be compromises.
One compromise can be to add an amendment to the constitution that defines marriage to be between two people instead of a man and a woman. This doesn’t necessarily legalize same-sex marriage at the moment but it will allow them to be married which is all that matters. For the states against legalizing same-sex marriage and even for the states that already allow it, this allows them to change at a pace that they can
accept.
In conclusion, when people are raised in a society where “the norm” is what is seen every day on television or what is seen in public, they believe that what is seen is correct and anything else outside of that is wrong. What’s normal to society is seeing a man and a woman together, and seeing a man and a woman wed so when people see two women or two men dating or wanting to get married, they judge and discriminate. The world cannot continue to see things in black and white because everyone is different. If we stray from judging others and embrace what is different, than our society will flourish into a truly equal society.