Should Homosexuals Be Able to Marry?

Should homosexuals be able to marry?

Heather Goodenow

PHI 103

Brian Addis

8-27-12

There seems to be a double edged sword, when it comes to free will. We are free to make choices for our lives, but not free in totality with our choices. If this place I call home is the Land of the free, then why cannot my sister marry the same sex? Land of the free would interpret that she is free to love anyone, no matter the gender. Should homosexuals be allowed to legally marry? It is my firm opinion, she should be able to marry whomever she deems fit to partner with, start a family or raise children with. Moreover, she should be able to live in peace with her choice. I believe people should be able to marry whomever they want. Love is love, so why cannot same-sex couples make their love legal like everyone else.

Considering, we are all different in terms of culture and beliefs, most of us share similar beliefs, that we have the right to lifestyle and finally the right to equality. We have many rights; although, some of those rights are conditional. Our government regulates our rights, which limits our power as a people; for example "Gay Marriage". Who are we to say someone else's preference is wrong? No one culture should be considered superior. I believe the "gay community", would appreciate being treated with respect regardless of sexual preference. After all it is just that; a preference. Our right to lifestyle should not be dictated by our government. If two people love each other, they should be able to marry and cohabitate without a judgmental eye. Wotherspoon states that "Homosexuality within a person is not something they choose or something anyone else can change. They should be accepted as who they are, and should be able to marry whomever they please" (Wotherspoon, 2004). Yes. Everyone has their opinions, religious and moral beliefs; it is not a crime however, to differ in choice. Should I be discriminated against because I like scrambled eggs, and the majority preference of eggs are boiled? I am sure we all have ideas of how people should live, but do we have the right to question what makes someone else's life happy? Same-sex couples are no different they have the love, romance, and lifestyle as us just that they are the same gender. With their relationship or sexuality does not mean it is "sinful" especially if they have no reference to any sort of religion.

According to Link, "morality is essentially an agreement about how it is best to act, something that civilized society requires and formalizes in its law. A society may legitimately disagree with religion about some acts without being immoral, just as religious may disagree among themselves" (Link, 1993). Religion is one of the main reasons some people do not like the idea of homosexuals having the right to marry. One of the most used arguments about the issue is that God says that same-sex interactions are an abomination. How would God only hate homosexuals if it says that he loves everyone? The fact that homosexuals will threaten religion is wrong. Some homosexuals follow the Bible that says that God does not love them, but they follow it nonetheless. The church would not be forced to marry homosexuals. They have the right to turn anyone down. Another thing that is said is that homosexuals could just become straight and then get married. Is that fair to make someone love or be with someone they do not feel attracted to? Morality cannot be foreclosed on in a civic debate according to the First Amendment. When law becomes necessary to guide behavior, it must be justified by articulated secular reasons. The end result of secular moral debate the law and other public policy decisions that government make is the product of as much controversy and discussion as governing our actions have to debate by all citizens, including but not limited to. Religious input.

The fact that same-sex marriage will violate the meaning of marriage is not one of the best arguments one can come up with. Who decides the true meaning of marriage? The Bible? The President? Some random person on the street? Everyone has their own definition of marriage. One definition that would be agreeable to everyone is the fact that marriage is a legal bonding between two people that are in love. This does not say between man and woman. It also does not affect the marriage of heterosexuals; they are still allowed to get married, nothing has changed that. Marriage is tradition of only man and woman is something people would like to have remained the same. Traditions sometimes need to change with the times. It does not have to be the same way forever. As the years go on, people change, and so can the laws. According to ProCon.org "proponents argue that same-sex couples should access to the same marriage benefits and public acknowledgment enjoyed by heterosexual couples and that prohibiting gay marriage is unconstitutional discrimination" (2012). In the old days parents chose the kids' future spouse; now people have the freedom to choose themselves, because the laws changed with the times. Why should we not now? The gay-rights activism in the 1970s has focused on more of the personal liberation and visibility to gain access to institutions for marriage. Between 1969 and 1974 the only state that allowed homosexual sex was Illinois. The number had swelled from fewer than 50 to nearly a thousand. From 1988 to 2010, gay marriages have increased from a rate of 1 to 1.5 points per year. CNN had released the first national poll to support gay marriage on August 11, 2010. Marriage between man and woman only has been around so long because no one has accepted homosexuals or given them the right. Same-sex marriage cannot weaken the institution of marriage. It will help marriage, for the fact that more people will be getting married.

"According to the latest Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, Americans are almost evenly divided on the issue. 46% favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally, while 44% are opposed" (Peralta, 2012). To some people the wellbeing of future generations will be affected in a bad way if they do not grow up in a traditional family. Those same people believe that same-sex couples will not be able to raise kids in a good environment. Some people think that their children will be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a normal family. Does it matter what gender some parents are if they can teach a child manners, what the ABC's are, and the difference between right and wrong? How can falling in