Position Paper: Same Sex Marriage

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The Big Issue: The right to Marry

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. 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. 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. National Conference of State Legislatures,
“Same Sex Marriage” page, http://www.theaskforce.org/theissues/issue.cfm?issueID=14