Gay Marriage

Marriage, as illustrated above and defined by Webster, is a social union or legal contract between people called spouses that creates kinship. Doesn't such kinships happen also within gay couples? Thusly, creating a need for their union to be commemorated as such? In this paper, my focus will be to develop a thorough analysis and discussion in relation to the topic of gay marriage. In order to construct this, I will display the dual positions to gay marriage in their prospective relations in our society and the ethical issues and/or problems this presents. The arguments that will be discussed pertaining to gay marriage will be discrimination, equality, and respect of individual's rights, while incorporating the ideologies of utilitarianism, deontology, and/or virtue ethics. In doing this, one will hope to find a solution for unity and help a thriving society finally gain true acceptance and an understanding in this society.

It was Frank Sinatra who sang that "love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage. You can't have one without the other." Frankie is right. When two people--any two people--are in love, they should be able to openly express their love for each other by becoming married. However, not everyone is legally able to get married. A love shared by two people of the same sex cannot be binding because of petty laws that prohibit gay and lesbian couples to get married. It is ridiculous that two people in love cannot get married and commit to a lifetime together if they are of the same sex. Love is love, need I say more? Many people in today's society believe gay and lesbian marriage is wrong, and if you are one of them, I am here to convince you otherwise. Gay marriage ensures homosexual couples the symbolic, financial, and medical benefits that heterosexual couples enjoy.

When two people are married, they are taking a vow in front of witnesses, claiming that they will be with each other for the rest of their lives. They proclaim and express their love

GAY MARRIAGE

openly as a sign of commitment to each other. Marriage is a very symbolic gesture, and to take that privilege away from two people who are in love is a serious problem.

Opponents argue that is against their religion--marriage should be between a man and a woman so that they can pro-create. However, Evan Wolfson, from a gay-advocacy group called Freedom to Marry, argues that "every religion can decide for itself whether to perform or honor any marriage...but no religion should be able to dictate who gets a civil marriage

license" (Wolfson, 2004). This country was founded and has continued to develop the concept of separation of church and state. It is up to individual religions whether to acknowledge same-sex marriages. However, it is the nation's responsibility to acknowledge all unions, instead of discriminating couples based on their sex. To infringe upon couples right to civil marriage is a violation of human rights. Gay people, who are in love, have the fundamental right to commit to each other and have it legally recognized by the United States government.

Gay marriage has slowly become a significant factor amongst individuals of today's society. Similarly, this leads to the discussion of homosexuals having the right to marry in society. Ultimately, conflict from the opposing opinions of gay marriage may arise that gay marriage can destroy the concept of marriage and mock the importance of procreation. In reference to this, everyone in society has the right to marry regardless of gender, thus it should be socially acceptable. Especially when we look back at the history of marriage and how it became to be. (Here, statistics will be inserted about how marriage was first brought to terms...before it became religious). However, this is why it is significant to discuss both sides of the argument, regardless if you are 'for' or 'against' gay marriage in society. In relation to homosexuals, contradiction constantly arises that gay marriage should not be legalized. However, homosexuals

GAY MARRIAGE

do not necessarily want to get marriage but may just want the justification of having equal rights. Thus, in the case if homosexuals do want to marry at some stage of their relationship, according to Simon, "people say that banning same sex marriage is not only unfair, but it is also discriminatory" (Simon, 2012 p.31). In society, denying individuals rights due to their gender, race