Remarks:

BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Senior High School
S.Y. 2022-2023
English for Academic and Professional Purposes

POSITION PAPER: Criminalizing Same-sex Relationships

Name: Deon Shane L. Reynera Course: EAPP

Grade and Section: 12 – St. Odo Date: October 3, 2022

The legal union of two people who are of the same gender is known as “same-sex marriage”
(Legal Dictionary, 2015). In this modern generation, same-sex relationships are common and members
of the LGBTQ+ community are fighting for it to be normalized. Only 17 nations, as of now, have laws
that permit same-sex couples to be legally married (Legal Dictionary, 2015). According to Adamczyk
(2017), same-sex relationships are a crime in several countries because they are offensive to
conventional norms and believe that individuals should follow dominant heterosexual and traditional
family standards. Same-sex relationships should not be criminalized as they do not harm other
individuals; it is their right of freedom to choose who to be with, and we are living in a new generation.

People say that same-sex relationships would destroy marriage for everyone. However, a study
of the data reveals that allowing gay marriage had little impact on the rates of heterosexual marriage
(del Rosario, 2013). Moreover, the effect on the population with same-sex relationships is that there
would be no offspring born of that union. Because having children requires both a male and a female,
and same-sex marriages, by definition, involve two people of the same sex, they would have no effect
on population growth (StudyMode, 2018).

Additionally, homosexuals frequently have a sense of freedom after being open about their
sexuality, which translates to stability and happiness. Because of the security of their relationships, they
were able to maintain healthier lifestyles in general (Schurman-Kauflin, 2013). Nevertheless, in this
kind of relationship, couples will always encounter different kinds of discrimination. Common
discrimination issues for gay couples include when a person may experience direct discrimination
because they are married to or in a civil union with a person of the same gender. There is also indirect
discrimination, such as when an employer has a rule that disadvantages same-sex couples who are
married (Littlechapel, N.D.).

Furthermore, we are in a new generation of people, and in this generation, the youth are fighting
for a new society where they normalize "normal" things like body hair and stretch marks. In this
movement, the LGBTQ+ community is also fighting for their right to be seen and heard. Also, Buijs
(2018) stated that, “We need open-mindedness about sexuality, about sex, and about sexual health. Only
then can we empower young people and give them confidence.” We should be open about topics like
sexuality for individuals to be comfortable and confident in expressing their identity.

Because they are solely following their hearts, gay relationships are harmless to citizens. It is
their right of freedom to choose who to be with, and we are living in a new generation. Therefore,
countries should not criminalize same-sex relationships. New parents nowadays should teach their
children to be open about topics like homosexuality and other topics that are considered taboo by
traditional norms to be aware and to learn how to respect those whom they think are different from
them.
 REFERENCES

Adamczyk, A. (2017). Why do some countries disapprove of homosexuality? Money, democracy and
religion. https://theconversation.com/why-do-some-countries-disapprove-of-homosexuality-
money-democracy-and-religion-73632# .

Buijs, R. (2018). WE NEED OPEN MINDEDNESS ABOUT SEXUALITY. https://equal-

eyes.org/archive/2018/8/2/we-need-open-mindedness-about-sexuality .

del Rosario, C. (2013). Same Sex Marriage Poses No Harm To Opposite Sex Marriage; May Be
Beneficial To Health. https://www.medicaldaily.com/same-sex-marriage-poses-no-harm-
opposite-sex-marriage-may-be-beneficial-health-246838 .

Legal Dictionary. (2015). SAME SEX MARRIAGE. https://legaldictionary.net/same-sex-marriage/ .

Littlechapel. (N.D.). Same Sex Marriage Discrimination Guide. https://www.littlechapel.com/same-

sex-discrimination-guide.html# .

Schurman-Kauflin, D. (2013). Gay Relationships Can Be More Stable Than Straight Ones.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/disturbed/201311/gay-relationships-can-be-more-
stable-straight-ones# .

StudyMode. (2018). How Does Same Sex Marriage Affects in Decreasing Population Growth.
https://www.studymode.com/essays/How-Does-Same-Sex-Marriage-Affects-1933352.html .