Title: The Fervent Debate on Marriage Equality in America
Thesis: With so many different opinions on the definition of marriage and how one’s definition affects their position the issue of gay marriage, a highly contested debate emerges. Perspectives include those who simply believe marriage should be between a man and a woman in order to keep the sanction sacred and those who think God’s word forbids gays marrying both push to keep homosexuals from tying the knot. Other views include people who value marriage as one of the highest social institutions, and leaving gays out of it stigmatizes gay couples and basically goes against equality, democracy, and the constitution itself. Finally, there is the perspective that gays should be allowed to marry because there is no such thing as a traditional marriage anymore; it is a new time and one group denying the rights of others just seems wrong.
1. Marriage by definition is a union between a man and a woman, and it should stay that way in order to keep the value of the institution high and provide the right type of environment for children.
a. Traditionally, the purpose of marriage is to procreate.
i. Same sex couples obviously cannot do this naturally; therefore it is unnecessary for them to marry.
ii. October 15th, 1971 Baker vs. Nelson court decision defined the institution of marriage as a bond between a man and a woman involving the rearing of children.
b. Gay marriage weakens institution of marriage.
i. Divorce rates are already high, and the tolerance of this behavior by allowing marriages would only further weaken the institution.
ii. Allowing same sex marriage could lead to other tolerances when it comes to marriage that would also weaken it, such as polygamy, incest, and bestiality.
c. Parents of the same sex should not raise children.
i. Research shows children benefit significantly more when they have parents of the opposite sex, and preventing them from this would deprive them from an optimum upbringing.
2. Marriage between couples of the same sex goes against God’s word/law and is not natural; therefore, it should not be supported.
a. Gay marriage is incompatible with the beliefs, sacred texts, and traditions of many religious groups.
i. Many Christians cite Leviticus 20:13 and Leviticus 18:22 of the Old Testament to justify their opposition to gay marriage.
ii. Other passages can also be cited to justify this position.
b. Homosexuality is a sin.
i. It goes against the beliefs of many groups and therefore the people of those groups should not be forced to tolerate the act through the allowance of marriage between same sex couples.
c. It’s a deviance from God’s norm.
i. It’s a societal responsibility to discourage homosexuality and allowing gay marriage does just the opposite; the Juedo-Christian philosophy’s clear.
3. Marriage is one of the highest social institutions and leaving gays out of it goes against equality and the nation’s core values, and it stigmatizes the gay community overall.
a. Gay Marriage is protected by the constitution.
i. Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment
1. No state shall deny a person the equal protection of the laws
2. Purpose when created was to prohibit laws that discriminated against African Americans
ii. Court Cases
1. Cleveland Board of Education vs. LaFleur
a. District judge wrote, “Freedom of personal choice in matters of marriage and family life is one of the liberties protected by the Due Process Clause.”
4. There is no such thing as a traditional marriage anymore, and denying gays the right to marry and therefore all the rights that come with marriage just seems wrong.
a. No such thing as traditional marriage
i. Polygamy, prostitution, community child rearing, and several other practices are now considered common things in different parts of the world.
ii. Marriage is more degraded by heterosexual couples due to their high divorce rights, public obsession with cheating scandals, and instances of fake/publicity stunt weddings.
b. Purpose of marriage is to have children is invalid.
i. If this were the case then infertile couples, older couples past their child rearing years, and couples who simply did not want to have kids all would also be denied the right to wed.
c. Rights that come with marriage.
i. Heath and pension benefits
ii. Hospital visitation rights
Conclusion: Clearly there are several valid opinions and perspectives when it comes to the issue of marriage equality in the United States. Personally, I have learned a lot about this issue by digging through the different outlooks and genuinely trying to understand each position’s views. However, after looking at all of the different reasons each side provides, I think it is only logical to provide the gay community the same rights as every other American. To me, it just does not make sense to bring in religious values to policy making. It goes against the fundamental American value of separation of church and state. In addition, while the argument that traditional marriages have always been between a man and a woman is true, this country is all about evolving. If we were to always stay to traditions and never open our minds up to new ideas, then we would still undervalue African Americans and women. It makes no sense to me to be in the year 2012 and full equality across the board still not be established in a country as great at the one we live in. It is time for ignorance to be washed away, and it is time for change.
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