Same-Sex Marriage

Same-sex Marriage

Same-sex marriage has been a very controversial topic over the past couple years, since it was legalized for the first time in the United States in Massachusetts on May 17th, 2004. There are a number of people opposed to the idea of same-sex marriage, and a handful of individuals who believe homosexuals should be allowed the same treatment and recognition of those who are heterosexual. This has been a touchy subject and gained much publicity. A survey taken revealed approximately 70% of Americans are opposed to same-sex marriage. What is to be discussed in this essay is what the objections are to gay marriage, and if in the United States it is unconstitutional to not offer gays and lesbians the same privileges as heterosexuals, should they be allowed the same civil rights as straight people? Should there be a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, or should same-sex marriage be recognized nationwide?

It has been brought to the attention of the public as to why gay and lesbians should be denied the same rights as man and woman. A common argument is marriage is meant to be a union between man and woman, not man and man or woman and woman. According to an article published, called Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives, "Marriage is an institution between man and woman. That's the most common heard argument, one even coded in a recently passed U.S. federal law" (Bidstrup, pp. 19). Another argument presented by Scott Bidstrup is, "Marriage is for procreation" (pp. 20). If homosexuals were to adopt a child, people feel the child would suffer and become confused from being raised by homosexual parents; individuals of the same sex are deemed by some to be unfit for parenthood. There was a study conducted by the Family Research Council that concludes that children need both a mother and a father, and children raised by parents of the same sex are more likely to develop identity issues later in life. It has also been brought to the surface that children of homosexuals are more likely to develop sexual disorders.

Another popular argument against same-sex marriage is that individuals with strong religious backgrounds, in which their religious beliefs are opposed to gay marriage, would be subjected to marry homosexuals. This would cause the person marrying the said couple to go against their beliefs. There are many religious teachings that project same-sex marriage as not being moral, such as the second most common religion in America, Catholicism. In the bible particularly Genesis, chapter 19, it acknowledges that engaging in sexual intercourse with another of the same gender is sinful and punishable. There is many chapters and versus in the Bible that negate homosexual behavior, such as the following verse in Romans:

""For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct. . . . Though they know God's decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them" (Romans,1:26-28, 32).

What was once not acceptable has become more acceptable over time. Women were once not allowed to vote. African Americans not allowed and granted the same freedoms and liberties as the white male. Over time the world has evolved, changing over the course of history.

People have been granted more equal rights. Though national surveys project that women make less than men, racism still exists, as does religious conflict. There has been a great deal of effort made to enforce that each individual is granted the same freedom as everyone else.

Equal opportunity employers recognize equality amongst their employees. More women than men are currently enrolled in graduate programs. Over time society has become more integrated. Then one has homosexuals, who are not allowed the same freedoms as everyone else. The United States Constitution guarantees equal rights, but yet the rights are not equal.

If homosexuals are granted the freedom to marry they will have the spousal rights.

Such spousal rights are receiving Social Security benefits on the behalf of one's husband or wife, having the ability to share a medical plan, work leave for medical purposes, inheriting property from a deceased spouse, being able to visit the hospital under extreme conditions, making medical decisions if spouse is unable to, and parental decisions if death or divorce occurs. Gays and lesbians cannot file taxes jointly, and are required to file state and federal taxes separately.

Priest do not want to marry homosexuals because of what is written in the Bible, yet the Bible also states those who judge will be judged at the gates of heaven. If the government is not to play part in religion, then why is "In God We Trust"