Gay Marriage Debate

In today's society there are a lot of social issues that create tension between people. One issue that is quickly disappearing and becoming more accepted is homosexual relationships. The three main issues that arise when talking about same sex relationships is the aspect of marriage which society debates whether it should be allowed/ legal, the matter of religions affecting a couples choice whether or not to get married or even be in the relationship in the first place and the fact of whether or not same sex couples should be able to be parents. While society is becoming very accepting of same sex relationships there are still some underlying issues that affect how successful homosexual couples do in Canada.

Same sex marriage became legal on July 20 2005 in all of Canada making it the fourth country in the world to make it legal from border to border. Same sex marriage is now legal due to it being legal was a contradiction to our rights according to our constitution. Same sex couples have always existed but before it was legal to get a marriage there was a stigma about those marriages and society's perceptions were that it was an unnatural union. This was said perfectly when James Carville, a political consultant, commentator, educator, actor, attorney, media personality, stated "I was against gay marriage until I realized I didn't have to get one." Now that same sex marriage is totally legal it is quickly becoming more accepted and homophobia is disappearing among people. This is especially true with younger generations as there are more and more people getting into same sex relationships as we weren't raised in a society that totally rejects homosexuality. This is proven by the fact that in the 1960s a man found engaging in homosexual activities would be criminally charged and could possibly face imprisonment while today gay and lesbian couples have gained legal equality and protection from persecution. One case, wherein the accused was named Mr. Klippert, a man was convicted of having homosexual relations with a number of men over a few years and was charged as a dangerous sex offender. He was sentenced to an indefinite stay in prison for his "crimes". He was released four years after being sentenced due to a countrywide debate on whether the legal system had the right to imprison a man for his sexual orientation. This case proves just how much progress our politicians and legal system has made when it comes to accepting homosexual orientation. Pierre Elliot Trudeau said it best when he stated "It's bringing the laws of the land up to contemporary society I think. Take this thing on homosexuality. I think the view we take here is that there's no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation. I think that what's done in private between adults doesn't concern the Criminal Code. When it becomes public this is a different matter, or when it relates to minors this