An essay I wrote for my public speaking class.
Gay Marriage
Marriage: the legal relationship between spouses. Not just between man and woman, but spouses. Same sex marriage has been a controversial topic for years. There are many arguments and opinions on both sides. But where does the law stand in all this? What are the rights of gay people, and what are the arguments that have been brought up over and over against the legalization of same sex marriage?

Many people seem to believe that by allowing gay marriage, the institution of marriage will be jeopardized. But how would it be jeopardized if we allow two people, who love each other, to get married? By allowing gays to marry, you allow them to live their own lives, and make their own decisions. This will, in no way threaten marriage. It will still be the legal relationship between spouses. We allow people to marry, for the sake of money, or other selfish reasons, yet not for love? Allowing people to marry who are not compatible, or do not love each other, will threaten the institution of marriage, not same sex couples.

Many people believe that marriage should be kept heterosexual because it is tradition. But wasn't denying black people of their rights and forcing them to be slaves, also tradition? And what about women? Haven't we, as Americans, come a long way? Black people and women all have equal rights. So why can't homosexuals? People used to get married for a lot different reasons than we do today.  Fathers would marry off their daughters for a price. In royal families, the children were married to form alliances. Human beings have come a long way. Most people get married because they love one another, and for the companionship. We are allowed to choose who we want to marry, and cannot be forced. So if two men or two women want to get married, why wouldn't we let them?

Another argument against gay marriage is that, same sex couples do not provide optimum environments to raise children in. In 2008, more than 3,000 gay couples were married in San Francisco. Most of the couples were lesbian, and were older and better educated than most other newly-wed couples. This would create a well maintained environment, both financially and emotionally. We allow many other people to marry, who could be threatening to children, and would provide a less desirable environment for children.  We allow convicted felons and murderers to marry and have children, but not a same sex couple, who is well educated and financially stable. Many scientific studies have shown that children, who grow up in homes with same sex couples, are just as good off as those who grow up with straight couples. Many people also bring up the issue that marriages are for procreation, and reproduction. But aren't infertile couples allowed to marry? And besides, wouldn't having some gay marriages be good for this world? In the past 40 years, the population has doubled, from 2.5 billion to 5 billion people. It seems like the human species would survive better if we had fewer people. The last thing we need is more hungry mouths to feed when there are already, so many out there.                      

Most people seem to believe that gay relationships are immoral. But how is that so? Scott Bidstrup believes that, gay couples are usually loyal, devoted, and monogamous partners. They enjoy family, appreciate long term, and committed relationships, and honor and abide the law, just like their straight cohorts do. And how can you say that it is immoral? It seems to be religion, always pointing that finger. Freedom of religion is defined in the first amendment. And aren't church and state supposed to be separate? So by not allowing gay marriage, the people's rights are being violated. While many Christian religions are opposed to gay relationships, many sects of Buddhism celebrate gay marriages freely. So if a gay Buddhist couple wanted to get married, would we say no, because Christians think that it is immoral?

Another reason same sex couples should be allowed to marry is because same sex couples should be entitled to the same rights as any other couple. In 19 states, gay and lesbians are allowed to adopt children through a complex system, where one parent adopts, and the other petitions for rights. Although there are civil unions, which offer some of the same rights as straight married couples, they do not fulfill all of them such as social security and immigration. For example, a homosexual person could not have a non U.S. resident spouse become a citizen. Also, if one of the spouses dies, the other will not receive social security benefits. And the couple cannot file jointly on federal taxes. These things make it very hard for a same sex couple. A couple could be together for 20 years, and if one of them dies, the other will receive no benefits and would have to make it on their own.

Although everyone has their own opinion on homosexuality, it is unconstitutional and unfair to deny them of marriage. They want the same rights as any other straight couple. There is no solid reasoning as to why gay marriage should not be allowed. If all men are created equal, then why are denying many of their rights?


Works Cited:

"Gay Marriage, the Arguments and the Motives." 1996. Scott Bidstrup
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"Gay Rights."  2002. Speakout.com
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"Same Sex Marriages." 1997. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
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