Same-sex marriage has been a widely argued topic for many years, causing tons of controversy across the globe. The two sides pertaining to this debate are legalizing same-sex marriage, or applying a constitutional ban. The largest point of disagreement is whether or not allowing same-sex marriage promotes equality, and not allowing it promotes discrimination. As Americans, we value equality, liberty, and tolerance. Merriam-Webster defines equality as the “quality or state of having the same rights, social status, etc.” This value is one that is societal, meaning it is followed relating to society. It is seen that denying equality promotes discrimination in society, and leaves room for unconstitutional judgment. Within the duties of the United States Constitution, citizen’s rights are protected. Because equality is protected under the Constitution, it is a civil right. Same-sex marriage should be legalized in all states because equal rights should be given to all citizens, not just some.
As stated previously, equality is a social value. Social equality is a state at which all people in a given society share the same status in a certain detail. It entails equal rights, opportunities, and obligations. Although many individuals around the world support ideas that entail equality, it is highly an American value. Robert Kohls of Claremont McKenna College states, “Equality is, for Americans, one of their most cherished values… Most Americans believe that God views all humans alike without regard to intelligence, physical condition or economic status. In secular terms this belief is translated into the assertion that all people have an equal opportunity to succeed in life.” In regards to same-sex marriage, homosexual couples deserve the ...
... middle of paper ...
.../marriage>.
Messerli, Joe. "Should Same-Sex Marriages Be Legalized?" Balanced Politics. Ezoic, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
"Most Say Homosexuality Should Be Accepted By Society." Pew Research Center for the People and the Press RSS. Pew Research Center, 13 May 2011. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
Olson, Theodore B., and David Boies. "The Marriage Debate: Gays Deserve Equal Rights." Wall Street Journal 2013 mar 26: A.11. 28 Oct. 2013 .
ProQuest Staff. "At Issue: Gay Liberation Movement." ProQuest LLC. 2013: n.pag. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 29 Oct 2013.
Spero, Rabbi Aryeh. "Opposition to Gay Marriage Is Not Discrimination." Human Events. Eagle Publishing, Inc., 8 June 2006. Web. 30 Oct. 2013.
"The Global Divide on Homosexuality." Pew Global Attitudes Project RSS. Pew Research Center, 4 June 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
U.S. Constitution. Amend. XIV, Sec. 1.
He continues to support the main claim by showing his knowledge of married couples’ legal rights. He explains that homosexual couples that are not allowed to marry are denied tax breaks, group insurance, and pension programs (Stoddard, 1988, p. 551). These are important grounds,...
Within America’s society today, 3.8 percent of the population is gay, lesbian, or bisexual. With only 17 of the 50 states legalizing and recognizing this type of relationship (“History…”), it puts a stronghold on same-sex couples to publicly declare their love with the promise of marriage. Same-sex marriages should be legalized because everyone has equal rights of freedom and liberty.
Prior to the 1970’s, members of the LGBTQ community, and especially those who also identified as people of color, were forced to stay silent despite constant discrimination because of their minority statuses. They did not have a voice or means to speak out against the oppression. During the 1960’s, the few safe spaces established for QPOC in urban communities had disappeared, since this particular era was being overshadowed by the Civ...
. Gianoulis, Tina. "Gay Liberation Movement." In St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture., edited by Thomas Riggs, 438-43. 2nd ed. Vol. 2. Detroit: St. James, 2013. Gale Virtual Reference Library (GALE|CX2735801056).
For many generations, especially in North America, homosexuality was not accepted in any way, shape, or form. Many believed that it was a medical illness that was curable, when in reality, people were, and still are, ignorant and could not come to terms that everyone in this world is different from one another. For many instances of being treated unjust, many individuals in the gay community did not want to “expose” themselves and remained in the “closet”. As means to make gays and lesbians proud and take a stand for who they are, a movement spread across internationally. This movement is known as “The Gay Liberation” movement which occurred between the late 1960s and the early to mid 1970s (“Gay Liberation”). The Gay Liberation movement urged individuals of the gay community to “come out,” revealing their sexuality to their loved ones as a form of activism, and to counter shame with gay pride (“Gay Liberation”). The Stonewall Riots are believed to have been the spark that ignited the rise of the Gay Liberation movement; it influenced the way the gay community is viewed socially and how their rights are politically present day.
Washington Post. Survey of 1,002 Adults Concerning Gay Marriage. New York: 27 Feb.-2 Mar. 2014. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.
As a United States citizen who was born in the new millennium, I was brought up with the idea that, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This statement was one of the main sources of fuel for the Civil Rights Movements in the mid 1950’s/60’s in the United States. Minority groups have often been mistreated in the United States culminating in movements much like that of the women’s suffrage movement, civil rights movements and now a movement toward equality for the LGBTQIA. In the last few decades a new minority group, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and allies, and their struggle to attain their right to the pursuit of happiness. This small makes up roughly 4 percent of the US population. Though many say that gay marriage will weaken the moral foundation of our country, it should be legalized, not only because banning it is unconstitutional, but also because strips people of their human rights
Wilson, Q. James. “Against Homosexual Marriage.” Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Political Issues. Guilford, Connectitcut: Dushkin Publishing Group, 1997. Print.
Shulman, Sam. "Sam Shulman -- Gay Marriage -- and Marriage." OrthodoxyToday.org |. Commentary Magazine, Nov. 2003. Web. 31 May 2010. .
Becker, Joe. "A Conservative’s Road to Same-Sex Marriage Advocacy." New York Times 18 Aug. 2009: 1-3. Print.
Redlingshafer, JoEllen. "The LGBT Movement Must Look Past Gay Marriage." Policymic. Policymic, 2013. Web. 23 Sept. 2013.
Stoddard, T, Fein, B, (Jan. 1990) Gay Marriage, Personal relationships, Marriage, Legislation, Homosexuality, American Bar Association, (Pages 42, 42)
“A Right to Marry? Same-sex Marriage and Constitutional Law | Dissent Magazine.” Dissent Magazine. Martha Nussbaum, 8 June 2009. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.
In recent years, same-sex marriage has become a more controversial topic on whether it’s right or wrong. People should not feel coerced to agree with something they believe is wrong; clearly, same-sex marriage is immoral and unnatural. Many complications come with same-sex marriages including financial pressures, social pressures, moral pressures, and health risks.
In conclusion I argue that banning same-sex marriage is discriminatory. It is discriminatory because it denies homosexuals the many benefits received by heterosexual couples. The right to marriage in the United States has little to do with the religious and spiritual meaning of marriage. It has a lot to do with social justice, extending a civil right to a minority group. This is why I argue for same-sex marriage. The freedom to marry regardless of gender preference should be allowed.