Position Paper: Same Sex Marriage

Introduction
Studies show that approximately about 10% of the world’s population considers
themselves as “gay” or “lesbian.” Unfortunately it seems that Americans that do
consider
themselves as homosexual are fighting for their rights to be equal to others that
are heterosexual.
The word “homosexual” is just a sophisticated name for someone that is infatuated
with their
own gender. The big issue about homosexuality is giving people the right to be open
with their
relationships, by legalizing gay or same sex marriage. The topic of legalizing same
sex marriage
is one of the broadest topics and has the most controversy. Being that all people
are entitled to
their own opinions and beliefs, the controversy has sky rocketed.
Body
All individuals around the world have their own personal views on gay marriage that
may be supportive or just degrading to the gay community. There are numerous
amounts of activists and protesters in the world trying
to persuade others to support the gay community. Individuals of the gay community
feel as if they are just as equal to those who are not homosexual. Being gay or
lesbian is of ones’ personal preference. It also seems as if the gay community is
becoming larger and stronger and more
people are even supporting the right of gay couples. A gay couple that chooses to
be open has not always had the opportunity to be open about their ongoing
relationship. Gay couples have been judged and brutally disrespected all because of
a decision that they made that makes them happy. Individuals should be able to love
whomever they want without getting ridiculed about their decision. However,
religious views point out that marriage should be between women and men. As the
bible says marriage is traditional and intimate and should not be of the same sex
but of the opposite sex. Not all religious people go exactly by the bible. “Some
religious associations refuse to employ or even offer services to same sex couples.
Christian groups who argue for same- sex marriage tend to believe that lesbian and
gay peoples were created as such by God and should have the same rights as others”
(“History and Debate”). Some individuals with religious views feel that same sex
relationships are immoral and against Gods’ will and will destroy the goal of
human sexuality, which is to reproduce children (“History and debate”). Religious
groups all over the world are different. In some states that have already legalized
same- sex marriage have ministers that will still refuse to marry a gay couple due
to their own personal beliefs. Religious
groups also believe that AIDS is a punishment from God above for disobeying his
word. People who are religious also believe that a child should grow up with a
father and a mother and not two parents of the same sex. There are studies found
that when a child that is raised by two
homosexual people often have homosexual families of their own but are capable of
having a heterosexual family as well (“History and Debate”). It is questioned that
when young girls were told that their attractions to boys at a young age was wrong,
and vice versa could have a big impact on the rise of homosexuality (Baird 129).
Unfortunately the society has definitely painted a picture for those to be biased
against gay marriage rights without completely understanding why having their
rights is so important. People have agreed that same sex marriage rights go hand in
hand with civil rights. Both sets of people fighting for what they want and most
importantly, what they believe in. People also argue that as long as there is love
in the relationship, that’s all that should matter when it comes to marriage.
Social views also engage on whether the couples get married, and will they get the
same benefits as heterosexual couples (Hall 172). Individuals feel that same sex
marriage should
not only be legalized in 35 states but it should be legalized in America period.
Studies show that couples that marry in one state but want to move to another state
fear that their benefits and rights will not be protected and or permitted in the
state that they move to. Society shows that the
individuals that are denied to marry are also denied the protection and rights
given to heterosexual couples. People seem to not take this so well, being that it
is unfair to deny families that have homosexual parents the opportunity to have and
enjoy the same benefits as heterosexual families. It is unexplainable as to why gay
couples that have committed to one another for a long period of time not yet
married have to pay higher taxes as well (Hall 172).
There are many pros and cons to legalizing same sex marriage. People think that
when homosexual couples marry, they will weaken the tradition of marriage but if
same sex marriage is legalized it could decrease divorce rates in America as well
(“Gay Marriage Procon.org”).
To conclude, bashing someone for doing something that they believe in is not going
to change how an individual feels about their decision to be homosexual. More
supportive citizens of the United States could possibly make legalizing same sex
marriage easier. Individuals that seem to open up and not stay completely biased,
start supporting the gay community as well. Many people think that they were born
gay and nothing is wrong with them being interested in
their same sex.
Conclusion
People that are disrespected by others because of their sexuality feel as if they
are being discriminated against. Being denied to marry and health care, insurance
benefits, estate taxes, home protection etc. because of a persons’ sexuality is
also discrimination as well (Hall
172-173). Children that have been sexually abused by the opposite sex may find
themselves being homosexual in their future as adults. Also, people that have been
in abusive relationships or just been completely betrayed by their previous
significant other, may venture out and find
interest in the same sex. As one nation America should stand together and support
one another. America should not be divided by sexuality or even race. People feel
that marriage is a privilege not a right, but it is someone’s right to marry
whomever they chose to marry. Having the right to
marry should not be up to anyone to dictate or have an opinion on.