Sullivan's article argues, "Gay men and lesbians are citizens, entitled, like everyone else, to equal protection-no special rights, but simple equality" (p. 25). He writes that gay men and women want to marry for the same reason that straight people want to marry, for love. Sullivan writes, "And we (gay men and women) want to commit to that person in front of our family and country for the rest of our lives" (p. 25). He goes on to write that letting gays marry would not change the rights of others, ?Throughout American history, marriage has been between a man and a woman, and in many ways our society is built upon that institution. But none of that need change in the slightest? (p. 25). The definition of marriage has changed so much in the past years that it should change to include same sex marriages. Sullivan writes, "We changed (the definition of marriage) because we recognized that human dignity is the same whether you are a man or a woman, black or white. And no one has any more of a choice to be gay than to be black or white or male or female" (p. 26). The point has been brought up that marriage is between a man and a woman for procreation but there are men and women who...
Andrew Sullivan’s essay, “Let Gays Marry,” is about how gays and lesbians have long been alienated from their basic rights as American citizens. He argues that allowing gays to marry will not drastically change the description of marriage as we know it, but will simply entitle same sex partners to devote themselves to each other, and declare their love for each other.
In the essay, “Let Gays Marry,” by Andrew Sullivan, there were a few main arguments stated. In the document, Sullivan claims that gays and lesbians want the government to enable the law so it lets gays get married. They presented themselves in front of the Supreme Court and in fact, this was the first time they actually got some acknowledgment. Gays and lesbians are going to want to be together (some are lucky enough to meet that special someone), basically why not give them the right to be an equal citizen? The fact that churches do not want them to get married is not the focus; the difference is that Sullivan wants the government to take action. He’s simply asking for the government’s approval to allow a civil marriage. No one has the choice to be white, black, female, male, gay, hetero, etc. As a response to Bill Bennett,...
In conclusion, gay marriage should be allowed in the United States because it supports the idea of equal rights, and it would do no harm to children with homosexual parents, or society. When gays are denied marriage, not only are they denied that right, but many other rights as well. This is completely unacceptable. By making gay marriage legal, the government is setting up a world in which everyone is balanced. This is one of the true next steps in making the world more fair, and ensuring that the future society is more open-minded than today’s. That is one thing that everyone can certainly work towards together, without a doubt.
A debate is raging in America about who people have a right to marry. In response to lesbians and gays asking for the right to marry, many legislators are writing laws to ban same-sex marriage in their respective states. Even President Bush supports a Constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage (prez.bush.marriage/). Opponents of such legislation do not want discrimination passed into law and are protesting at every opportunity. One must understand the reasons that people want to ban same-sex marriage before he or she can effectively argue about the subject. Many advocates of same-sex marriage bans say that allowing gays and lesbians to marry would degrade the institution of marriage because marriage is only supposed to exist between a man and woman. In addition, allowing same-sex marriage would cause problems for society (Issues and Controversies on File). One theory why opponents may fight against same-sex marriages is that heterosexual marriages have long reinforced traditional gender roles within marriage and that allowing same-sex marriages would cause males to lose their authority to subordinate females as heterosexual couples begin to model same-sex marriage gender equality (Calhoun 157).
In the article, Sullivan’s argument is that the focal point of a marriage contract is an emotional, financial, and psychological bond between two people. Liberals are of the opinion heterosexuals and homosexuals are exactly the same on this point, as neither is more or less capable of making this connection. Gays and lesbians are also no more prone than heterosexuals in not upholding their fidelity in a union, or divorcing or separating. Liberals want the people to see that heterosexual couples have been failing at making marriage work for decades, perhaps longer. Thus, their logic would lead to the fact that homosexual couples should not have to prove that they can succeed, any person who loves their partner should be given the opportunity to make the sacrifices and commitment it takes to make marriage work.
Andrew Sullivan says that love is the reason people marry one another. No matter the race, creed, or gender love is a strong bond that few people are lucky enough to find. (Sullivan p.25) This country believes in equal rights and opportunities. With this being true all people should be able to choose whom they love and get to marry. Homosexuals do not seek special treatment but an equal and full part in America. (Sullivan p. 25) In a society that always talks of equal rights and opportunity, is it right for the country to condemn these people because they are different in their beliefs of sexuality? One of the conventional ideas as to why people of opposite sex marry is because of procreation. What about all of the married couples who do not have children? Should they not be able to be married? (Sullivan p. 26) Sullivan says that over the years the definition of marriage has changed several times. It has been amended or changed to the times. Women in the marriage were once legal property to their husbands, and at one time only people of the same race could marry. (Sullivan p. 26) Should this instance be any different?
His point is that the marriage campaign is assimilation into straight culture and it’s a rejection of non-traditional queer lifestyles which is a very radical view to take. The heterosexual people who reject gay marriage are, in his framework, protecting the sanctity of their marriage by wanting their marriage to be holy and without shame at the expense of others. There are so many rights that fall under marriage itself that every person who wants to get marriage deserves to have no matter who what their identity that it’s interesting as a whole how against it he is. However, he does say that “pursuing same sex marriage as a strategy fails to address the privilege of spousal status that is the core of the problem” because marriage “reinforces all of the other damaging hierarchies of shame around sex.” Marriage does allow the government system to regulate relationships and justifies the enforcement of sexual relationships by requiring certain steps to legitimize the relationship. He argues that if (when) gay marriage becomes legalized, those whose relationships had become legitimized would become less shameful and the shame would get worse for unmarried or untraditional
...ets down to “value judgment” and how the LBG’s are being hypocritical in a way of advocating that value judgment about marriage is wrong. But yet, they insist that same sex unions might as well be considered marriages on a par with heterosexual marriages; LBG’s making a value judgment about marriages, both their own marriages and those of others. “Rather, they press their judgments on others while, at the same time, refusing to permit others to make judgments.” Bauman makes a very good point at the end of his last sentence in the article using “serves us and our offspring best” as a way to end the article. This opens minds and has you realizing that ‘offspring’ cannot be produced by a homosexual. They are incapable and therefore it could be considered unnatural stopping the natural breeding process, which leads into the next generation; creating the next generation.
Marriage is the most powerful way for couples to show their love. However, it will be unfair for someone to try and negate the rights of married couples. Therefore, all types of marriages including gay marriages should be legalized since couples deserve equal rights and freedom. Opponents of gay marriage point out that it is against God’s laws, but they forget that the same Bible also promotes equality regardless of gender, race and religion. Moreover, if marriage is all about love, then those in love and committed to one another should be allowed to the freedom to marry regardless of their gender and age. Studies have revealed that heterosexual marriages are failing at a very at the very alarming rate. Based on this knowledge, gay marriages must, therefore, be legalized.