Let Gays Marry and Leave Marriage Alone

I will summarize some of the key points from the essay, Let Gays Marry, by Andrew Sullivan, and the essay, Leave Marriage Alone, by William Bennett. Some of these main points are taken from mutual beliefs of both authors and others are derived from the opposing opinions of the two.

The first summary of Andrew Sullivan’s essay is a reflection of Andrew Sullivan’s stance of the issue. The original essay was in favor of allowing same sex marriage in America. My summary will dictate some of the arguments that I found to be the most persuasive and important to Sullivan’s case. The second summary is of Bennett’s essay, Leave Marriage Alone. I will, again, try to point out the most influential pieces of argument in the essay. Finally, I hope to synthesize these two essays, and expose some of the similarities and arguments between the two. In the synthesis, I hope to provide an incite into some of the basic ideals presented from both sides of the issue.

Andrew Sullivan states his thesis in the first paragraph of his essay entitled, Let Gays Marry. “They are citizens, entitled, like everyone else, to equal protection -no special rights, but simple equality”(25). Sullivan is referring to a supreme court declaration, stating that homosexuals are no longer separate from the general public in America. The decision states that gay and lesbian couples have the same rights as every other American citizen.

With the new openness to the gay and lesbian lifestyle, there is no longer a need for homosexuals to feel like a separate entity from society. Based on this idea, advocates of gay and lesbian marriage are campaigning towards the right of same sex unions, recognized by law. Andrew Sullivan argues that many homosexuals...

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...des of this argument. Bennett and Sullivan both face the same fears and obstacles in their beliefs. Allowing same sex couples to marry would broaden the definition of marriage, and aid in the gaining of equality for the homosexual community in America. They are both in opposition to each other, but they both agree that America is a diverse and tolerant nation. Neither of them deny that in America everyone has rights and there exist certain, respected, and revered institutions. Bennett and Sullivan are concerned with the result of giving up a traditional way of looking at such an institution as marriage, against the right to this institution for every person in America.

Works Cited

Let Gays Marry, by Andrew Sullivan

http://faculty.mc3.edu/barmstro/sullivan.html

Leave Marriage Alone, by William Bennett

http://faculty.mc3.edu/barmstro/sullivan.html