Mrs. Miller
2nd Block
2.Oct.2008
Fellow students:
There are many arguments against same-sex marriage. “We have to protect traditional marriage.” “It is unnatural.” “What about the effects on the children they raise?” These arguments are not very strong. There is nothing wrong with same-sex marriage, and it is not a threat to society.
People who are against same-sex marriage argue that it should not be legalized so as “to protect traditional marriage and the traditional family”. Protect it from what? What is so dangerous about same sex marriage that we have to protect “normal” marriage? This isn’t a war. Same sex marriage can’t harm families. Marriage isn’t exactly the same as it used to be, either. Interracial marriage used to be illegal. Wives used to be their husbands’ property.
Another argument is that homosexuality is unnatural. It is found outside humanity. Penguins and dolphins, for example, show homosexuality and bisexuality in the wild as well as when captive. Being gay is like being “left-handed sexually”: part of the natural spectrum. The American Psychological Association supports homosexuality and same sex marriage. Their reasons? It is perfectly natural. Also, it is important for mental health that same sex couples be given the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities as heterosexual couples. Another important argument is the effects on children.
A topic of much debate is the effects on children that are raised by same sex couples. Marriage protects children and gives them certain benefits. Denying those couples marriage sometimes denies their children the medical and insurance benefits given to children of standard couples. Studies show that children raised by same sex couples are well adjusted and happy. Kids need good role models and loving parents. Gender is a factor in neither of those needs.
Same sex marriages are neither wrong, nor threats to society. There is no threat from which we need to protect traditional marriage, because it has changed in the past. Homosexuality is a completely natural phenomenon. Children are not affected negatively due to being raised by two parents of the same gender. Think about the constitution: it says that ALL people are created equal, no matter what race, gender, or age. Why should sexual orientation be any different? People are still people, no matter their sexual orientation, and should be entitled to the same rights as everyone else, no matter what.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
The topic of same sex marriage is one that causes great debate in today’s society. There are many views on weather it should or should not be allowed and the effects it could have on the United States if it were allowed. The debate has been an ongoing one and as more states begin contemplating legalization the debates have become more heated. In an article written by Katha Pollitt, entitled What’s Wrong with Gay Marriage? , she argues for the legalization of same sex marriage making a multitude of valuable points. In an opposing article entitled Gay “Marriage”: Societal Suicide by Charles Colson her argues in opposition against same sex marriage using statistics and history to make his valid points. Both writers argue their points exceptionally but Pollitt’s essay is the better one as it is incredibly fair and reasonable and argues the opposition’s points perfectly.…
- 563 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
For the past thousand years, marriage has been recognized as the social union between a man and a woman. In most cultures across the globe, homosexuality was viewed with disdain and marriages between same sex couples were forbidden. Same sex marriages should not be supported because of the negative effects they will create on families and society.…
- 1126 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
To start with, supporters for gay marriage contend that denying a couple their preferred privilege to wed any individual regardless of their gender is unethical since they are prohibited from…
- 340 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
When it comes to same-sex marriage, I hold a very staunch position in supporting it and I claim to be an advocate for it. My opinion when it comes to same-sex marriage is that they are not harming anyone or anything by getting married and in fact I see that several same-sex couples that tend to be better parents then heterosexual married couples, such as my parents who divorced when I was in 11th grade because my mom was no longer in love my dad after 20+ years. Yet we have same-sex couples who never marry but stick by each other through the thick and the thin for as long as married couples. According to the book “Discrimination is an action—unfair treatment directed against…
- 1093 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
A battle has been in progress for years over whether equal rights and equal protection against discrimination should be extended to homosexual unions. Recently this has expanded into the area of marriage. The topic of homosexual marriage is a topical issue. There is absolutely no legal logical or governing reason that same- sex couples cannot be wed. It’s extremely unconstitutional to refuse them the right to marry. In 2012, we still have not legalised gay marriage in Australia when countries such as Spain and South Africa have. We live in a democratic country that is about rights and freedom of choice. Besides constitutional rights there are a number of economic issues which suggests equal rights for gay people could positively affect our economy.…
- 1153 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Adoption rate could increase through same sex marriage which means the decrease in the number of orphans if same-sex couples decide on adopting a child to raise as their own. As learning team member David Park indicated through our discussion, child may feel some negativity that his or her parents are the same gender. But through teaching their children making judgement on others are not good and showing them how much they love each other is more important matter. However, important is that people shouldn’t judge others by their belief.…
- 412 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
One of the most controversial topics of today’s matter is whether gay marriage should be legalized or not. There are numerous reactions when this subject comes to discussion and can sometimes lead to a heated debate. Some individuals believe that homosexuality is unethical while people who agree with gay marriage believe to put in consideration that the sexual preference of another human being is necessary. With every conflict comes pros and cons and this topic is like pulling a tight-rope if ever brought up in a debate because you never know who will pull the rope tighter. Gay marriage has a vast influence on the society today, relevant to it becoming legalized, it is bound to impact future generations, and will affect the establishment of marriage later in life.…
- 697 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Everybody should have the right to a legally recognized union with a partner of their choice. The debate over whether or not people in same sex relationship should be allowed to marry, or even enter into civil unions is no new fight. Legalizing gay marriage has brought a new trend which then providing the arguments on supporting gay marriage such as denying them is a violation of religious freedom and minority discrimination encourages people to have strong family values and constitute a good based family as well as giving up high-risk sexual lifestyles. Homosexuality is an accepted lifestyle nowadays with most evidence proving biological causation, and marriage benefits should be available to all couples.…
- 829 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Although the idea of a same-sex wedding hasn’t been legal long enough for statistics to be developed on children of same-sex marriages’ developmental upbringing, or that they are harmed by their environment, many people seem to think that they will be less healthy or normal if the couple that raises them are homosexual. People believe that the children will grow up to be gay, or different from any normally raised child, if they don’t grow up in a “normal” family. The results of studies testing these ideas are quite contrary to the popular belief of heterosexual couples. In fact, the studies show that children raised by gay couples seem to be more adjusted than the “normally” raised ones. The argument that children raised in homosexual households will grow up to be gay is completely illegitimate. In a study of over 300 children of homosexual parents, there have been no indications that there are any disturbances in the development of the child’s sexual identity, or the lifestyle that the child will live later in life. In reality, most children raised by heterosexuals are not raised…
- 849 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
If heterosexual marriage remains protected, children will at least have the benefit of stabilized familial relationships.…
- 924 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Gay marriage is one of the most controversial yet sensitive topics that have been discussed around the world. Politicians often hold debates on this subject trying to decide whether it should be legal for same sexes to be married. Gay marriage is often viewed as being wrong by religious people because marriage is portrayed as a woman and man uniting, not woman to woman or man to man. Others view gay marriage as an act that is protected by our constitution; we have the right to marry whomever we want as Americans. The United States being a free country is what other countries view us as, and for us to discriminate against gay marriage goes back on what we stand for.…
- 341 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Eric Zorn’s newspaper article, “Change of Subject: The Top Six Arguments against Gay Marriage”, tells about six popular arguments against gay marriage, and explains how he believes each is not valid. Zorn wrote this article to persuade opponents of same sex marriage to agree that it should be legalized, and he informs about changes in our society and why he believes gay marriage should be one of these changes. Zorn is trying to tell how over time we have created and destroyed traditions and that gay marriage should be legal because it is harmless to society contrary to popular beliefs that it could lead to legalizing polygamy or that homosexuals have immoral behavior. The author’s bias is shown in this article to be pro same sex marriage because he believes it is not morally wrong because it does not harm anyone. Zorn also states in the introduction, “I 've been informally debating opponents of legalizing same-sex marriage for nearly 20 years…” (Zorn).…
- 811 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Ending marital discrimination is a matter of civil rights, equality, and the pursuit of happiness. Same sex couples are denied significant rights when they are not allowed to marry, which results in injustice. Arguments against the legalization of same-sex marriage do not value the legal support of the state because the state's job is not to promote popular opinions, but the rights of its citizens. The American Civil Liberties Union in 1996 says, “The law against same-sex marriage discriminates on the basis of sex because it makes one's ability to marry depend on one's gender.” According to the ACLU “Classifications which discriminate on the basis of gender must be substantially related to some important government purpose…tradition by itself is not an important government purpose. If it was an important government purpose , sex discrimination would be quite permissible.…
- 377 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Many believe that a same-sex marriage is wrong because the couple can’t reproduce children (Waldman, A Common Missed Conception: Why religous people are against gay marriage ). Gay couples need equal rights in marriage to be able to raise children in a family environment. Having equal rights in marriage will give gay couples the validity and recognition of being a…
- 1907 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
Three reasons why other person wants to legal the same sex marriage: First is, they have said all have a sin nature, with weaknesses to sin in particular ways and some people express their sin nature is one way, other people express theirs in other ways. Homosexuality is just one way in a fair and balanced way. Secondly, Marriage is a basic human right and an individual personal choice and the State should not interfere with same-gender couples who choose to marry. Thirdly, ending…
- 811 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays