Legalization Of Same-Sex Marriages Essay, Research Paper
Legalization of Same-Sex Marriages
?The freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men.? (Homosexual [Same-Sex] Marriages; All sides of the issue). The recent decision by the Vermont Supreme Court on same-sex marriages has raised many issues. For the homosexual couples, this decision is great, but for some other people, the decision is a disaster. The question is what is right? I think that same-sex couples should have the right to be married.
Homosexuality was thought to be hereditary or in the persons? genes. That has been proven to be not true, but was has been proven true, is that there are differences in the brain structure and responses to hormones. Homosexuality is as ?natural as blue eyes, left-handedness, or the genetic predisposition to walk on two legs?. This type of sexual preference is not found in other species, because the species have to some degree recognized family. It is most common in the species with the greatest mental capacity. (Homosexuality: Its Genetic Basis & Evolution Benefit). In a psychology class given on the campus of Western New England College, a Professor explained that every person starts out as a female, and then eventually evolve into a male, or stay female. That is why you sometimes hear about those people who say that they feel like they should?ve been a female. This may also be a theory why people are attracted to the same sex. In theory they are supposed to be a female, but they turned out male, and now they are sexually attracted to males as well. If the person were a female, then he would be on the right track being attracted to the males.
Couples that are of the same sex are people just like everyone else. So why shouldn?t they be given the right to be married to each other. When heterosexual couples get married, they receive certain benefits. Such include, joint health insurance, social security, financial benefits, and pension benefits. If the states are not allowing homosexual couples to be married, they are denying them the right to be entitled to these rights. The Fourteenth Amendment section 1 to the Constitution of the United States of America states that ?nor shall any state deprive any persons of Life, Liberty or Property?. Liberty is described in the Webster dictionary as ?the positive enjoyment of various social, political or economic rights and privileges, the power of choice?. Denying homosexual couples marriage benefits is a violation of our rights according to the Constitution and the Fourteenth Amendment.
Many arguments of why this should not be legal are directed towards religion. This argument is probably the biggest one that people have that oppose same-sex marriages. Why is that? Probably because this is the only real reason why it shouldn?t be legal. Thoughts are ?God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve?. If Catholics do believe this, don?t they also believe that God loves everyone unconditionally? Some religions and religious figures have openly stated that they are for same-sex marriages. According to a website titled EPISCOPAL BISHOP OF CHICAGO SUPPORTS HOMSEXUAL MARRIAGES states, ?The newly elected Episcopal bishop of Chicago, William Persell, believes churches should formally bless homosexual unions?. Persell also said, ?I think we?re in a time when we have to learn and accept each other?How do you say to people they?re second-class, even though God created them as gay and lesbian?? Another person also had stated that ?For the time being it is OK for individual Presbyterian Churches to conduct same-sex union ceremonies? (RELIGION). This is a step in the right direction for the rest of the churches and other places of worship to follow. How do you debate those sentences? If there?s one bishop that believes that, then there are more where he came from.
If same-sex marriages became legal, it may bring down the abortion rate. According to the web page titled Abortion: Facts and Opinions, ?The abortion rate for 1996 was 20 per year per 1000 women ages 15 to 44. Worldwide, about 46 million women have abortions. This represents 22% of the 210 million pregnancies that occur yearly?. Some of these babies that are being aborted could be born and then adopted. Homosexual couples would be more than happy to raise a child. They are normal people. Most (not all) people would like to have a family when they get older. Unfortunately for homosexuals, that dream is crushed. But does it have to be? The children that are growing up in foster homes or orphanages could be put into a loving home with two people that care for them. Although the two people may be of the same sex, that doesn?t mean that the child will be loved any different than if the two parents were of the opposite sex. Some children may decide that they rather grow up being made fun for having ?gay? parents rather than be made fun of for not having the right clothes or the expensive attire. Kids will be teased all throughout adolescents, it is a part of life, every child goes through it, and if that child is smart enough, he/she will realize that they?re very lucky to have been taken in by a family at all.
In the years to come, this big deal will be no deal at all. Prior to the civil war, Afro-Americans were not allowed to marry in some states, but look at half of the couples now. Inter-racial couples were not allowed to marry in California and some other states prior to 1948. Just how the Vermont Supreme Court has taken a stand, so did the California Supreme Court. The court ruled that a black woman could marry a white man. Nineteen years after that ruling, the United States Supreme Court ruled, ?mixed-race marriages were legal anywhere in America? (Homosexual [Same-Sex] Marriages; All Sides to the Issue). As did that issue ?blow over? so will this one, and all that oppose will realize what an ignorant mistake they are making.
?Each individual?s journey through life is unique. Some will make this journey alone, others in loving relationships- maybe in marriage or other forms of commitment. We need to ponder our own choices and try to understand the choices of others. Love has many shapes and colors and is not finite. It can not be measured or defined in terms of sexual orientation? (Homosexual [Same-Sex] Marriages; All Sides to the Issue). Who has the right to say that two people that are in love, cannot get married and unite their love as one. Isn?t that what marriage is all about? If there is love, then nothing else should matter. Legalization of same-sex marriages should be allowed, for there are no reasons why it shouldn?t be.