Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
history of gay marriage essay
history of same sex marriage essay
history of gay marriage essay
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: history of gay marriage essay
Marriage is considered to be the ritual binding of two people into one couple. Traditionally marriage has been the foundation were a man and woman join together in the pledge of love. At this time, the time-honored views of matrimony are being changed by gay and lesbian couples challenging the same right to love, respect, and appreciate their partners as heterosexual couples have. Homosexuality is one of the three main categories of sexual orientation, along with bisexuality and heterosexuality, within the heterosexual-homosexual continuum. Lesbian is the name used to describe a woman and gay to describe a man; although these classes of people are ridiculed for loving the same-sex, it’s not our place as a society to judge. Gay marriage has become the biggest controversy of the 21st century and has caused the biggest assumptions, quarrels, and typecast. Theories that are associated with gays show that they are very immoral, unable to shape and preserve lifelong relationships, and the relationships that are created are superficial and casual. (Bidstrup, 2009) In this great country of America we are taught that everyone must have equal rights and be treated equally; well Homosexuals aren’t allowed to without actions and consequences. Marriages have become one of the biggest issues that homosexuals are faced with and they aren’t getting the equal rights that heterosexuals are given. The fact the people aren't relaxed with the idea stems mainly from the fact that for many years, society has encouraged the idea that a marriage should involving two people of different sexual orientation. (Bidstrup, 2009) A same-sex partner is preposterous, mainly because of the objections raised above. Marriage is supposed to stand for an institution ... ... middle of paper ... ...cisions and choices. Even though this is a very notorious subject one must stand firm on his or her beliefs and not waiver because others disagree or feel differently from what you think. Works Cited Bidstrup, S (2009, June 3). Gay Marriage, The Arguments And The Motives. http://www.bidstrup.com/marriage.htm Cruz, David B. "(May 2001) just don't call it marriage: the first amendment and marriage as an expressive resource, Southern California Law Review, 925-1026 Gay Rights Movement. ( 2004). In the Great American History Fact-Finder. http://www.credoreference.com/entry/hmgahff/gay_rights_movement Hawkins, Wardle, Coolidge. (2002) Revitalizing the Institution of Marriage for the Twenty-first Century Marriage. (2010). In The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather guide. http://www.credoreference.com/entry/heliconhe/marriage
The two texts examined within, present the opposing extremes of views regarding gay and lesbian marriage. The first text entitled Let Gays Marry by Andrew Sullivan examines the intricacies of same sex relationships and why homosexual couples should be allowed to publicly show affection for one another. The second text that will be examined is titled Leave Marriage Alone written by William Bennett. Bennett gives his views on why couples of same sex nature should not be allowed to engage in marital relations. These two authors, although very different, each has a view of the ideals of marriage, and how it should be presented to the public.
In a country with it’s fundamentals based on liberty and equality, America has always struggled with those very concepts. Throughout history, Americans have been challenged to make decisions that have oppressed and freed certain groups of people. The political fight for same-sex marriages is a perfect example of this notion. This relation between spouses has created a major controversy that is creating history in our nation. A series of protests, acts and political scandal has finally opened America to discuss a topic that had been in “the closet” for a long time. This discussion asks questions that have caused a visceral reaction in society. Questions such as whether gays and lesbians should marry, and if so, should they be granted the same matrimony rights as heterosexual couples? Should marriage be protected to fit traditional American values? How would these unions affect or contribute to our definition of such a celebrated institution? .
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).
When it comes to marriage and our society, most people believe it to be a part of life. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of gay marriage. Whereas some are convinced that marriage should be between a man and a woman, others
...ober). Marriage Inequality: Same-Sex Relationships, Religious Exemptions, and the Production of Sexual Orientation Discrimination. California Law Review, pp. 1169-1238.
The world today is surrounded with many controversial issues. One such issue would be the topic of gay marriage. This country has grown around one major tradition, being the definition of marriage. It’s more-less looked at as a religious or legal commitment between a women and man, to express their love and compassion towards one another, being the last and final step there is to take with that significant other. Homosexual relationships are rapidly gaining acceptance in this country. However, the Defensive of Marriage Act, that former president Clinton signed in 1996, is holding many back from being able to marry what could be the significant other of their dreams. Homosexuality effects from 8% to 15% of all males, as well as females being slightly less than the male population. To put this in a more familiar context, there are as many gays and lesbians in America today as there are unemployed citizens. There are a few states which formed a type of commitment called a "civil union", which basically is marriage without using the word "marriage." Gay couples are denied significant rights when they are not allowed to marry, and these result in injustices within society. Most carry the burden of hiding their sexual identity for fear of being disrespected or mistreated by the general population who remain ignorant to the causes and circumstances of homosexuality. This puzzles many due to the excess amount of investigative work that has been done on the phenomenon, as well as puzzling the church as to who would want to look into the concept in such a sinful matter.
Many people’s opinion on gay marriage is that same-sex marriage violates the “true” intentions of marriage, which “should” be between a man and a woman, but a more broad definition of marriage would be “(broadly) any of the diverse forms of interpersonal union established in various parts of the world to form a familial bond that is recognized legally, religiously, or socially, granting the participating partners mutual conjugal rights and responsibilities”
In today’s society, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community has been more accepted then in years prior, especially in the 1960’s and years prior to that, when anyone in the LGBT community would be horribly ridiculed, if not tortured. However, there still lies a long road for the LGBT community, as it pertains to human rights, equality, and particularly, marriage equality. Each individual has their own perception on marriage equality, whether it is based on moral basis, or on a humanistic (humane) basis, which is the belief of not denying anyone the right to be who they are, and therefore love who they love. However, as a society, we must examine the facts, as well as ourselves, as we address the debate for marriage equality for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community.
“A Right to Marry? Same-sex Marriage and Constitutional Law | Dissent Magazine.” Dissent Magazine. Martha Nussbaum, 8 June 2009. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.
In the article, “Against Gay Marriage,” author William Bennett asserts that permitting same-sex marriages would result in extensive social damage. He states that marriage serves as the cornerstone of societal structure. He envisions that societal indifference on marriages will leave future generations in a state of identity confusion. Representing a different perspective, the article “American Marriage in Transition,” composed by Andrew J. Cherlin suggests that as the practical necessity of marriage diminishes, its symbolic importance may be increasing. He asserts that marriage evolution has arisen alongside many social issues pertaining to expression of personal choice. He connects the expanding role of individualism
Years before, homosexuality was not accepted in the society. The thought of coming out as lesbian or gay is an alarming thing for homosexuals. Most that were gay hid it from others and did not act upon it. In today’s modern society, there is ample argument concerning the idea of men and women being attracted to anyone other than the opposite sex. Such concepts lead into the topic recognizing the relationship between these people. Because of this, same-sex marriage is quickly becoming one of the most common topics of debate in politics, social media and religion. Luckily, this is the land of the free, and most of us have the legal and social honor to get married. Unluckily, thousands people get left out of this deal for the reason that their partner is the same gender as they are.
Wardle, Lynn D. "The Movement To Substitute Generic Adult Intimate "Relationships" For "Marriage”." Marriage and Same-sex Unions: A Debate. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2003. 195. Print.
Marriage is a “socially recognized and approved union between individuals, who commit to one another with the expectations of a stable and lasting intimate relationship. It begins with a ceremony known as a wedding which formally unites marriage partners. A marital relationship usually involves some kind of contract, either written or specified by tradition, which defines the partners’ rights and obligations to each other, to any children they may have, and to their relatives. In most contemporary industrialized societies, marriage is certified by the government,” (Skolnick, 2005). Marriage is also an important institution because of the impact it has on society. Marriage is the main way that reproduction of human life occurs. In some societies it is tradition for family heirlooms or things of value be passed on through marriage. Marriage also serves as a healthy way to have intimate relationships with an individual. In most places a marriage exists between two people of the opposite sex. However, the legal definition of marriage is currently being challenged by many. According to Skolnick’s article a marriage can be defined by responsibilities that a couple would share, some examples are: living together, having sexual relations, sharing money and financial responsibilities, and having a child together. The issue is that homosexual couples can do these things like heterosexual couples.
Same sex marriage has had a major impact on today’s society. This issue has become very controver-sial for a variety of reasons, religious, moral, and even political.
Today’s society argues widely the correctness of same-sex marriage. Marriage for many people is believed to be a relationship between two people, preferably man and woman. The LGBT community battles for their right to marry without being denied by the government. The legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States has great importance for the future of marriage equality throughout the LBGT community. Same-sex marriage will not harm the function of society or other marriages in it, as well as being protected by the Constitution, and relieves lifelong discrimination.