An Argument For Same-Sex Marriage

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An Argument for Same-Sex Marriage General Purpose: To persuade Specific Purpose: To persuade the audience to support marriage equality. Central Idea: It is unfair and wrong to deny a person the right to marry based on their sexual orientation. Introduction: Attention Getter: Try to imagine yourself 10, 15, maybe 20 years from now. You have met the love of your life. The two of you share everything from your morning coffee, your home, to the belief and understanding that you can’t live without each other. One summer you and your spouse decide to take your children on a cruise. Just before the ship is about to set sail your spouse suddenly collapses and is rushed to the emergency room at the local hospital. Upon arrival your spouse is diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage and is admitted to the ICU. You are told, however, that due to hospital policy you will not be permitted to see your spouse. You and your children are kept in the hospital waiting room for eight excruciating hours, watching as other families are ushered in to see their loved ones. A doctor eventually comes out to tell you that your spouse has slipped into a coma and that there is no hope for recovery. After hours of pleading with hospital staff, you and your kids are finally allowed to see your spouse. You arrive at your love’s beside in just enough time to hold their hand as they die. This is the true story of Janice Langben and her partner of 18 years Lisa Pond, not to mention that of countless other American same-sex couples. Since Janice and Lisa were unable to legally marry, their partnership was considered non-existent in the eyes of the law. As a result of this Janice was not deemed to be a one of Lisa’s family members by the hospital staff. It is a policy of most hospitals that only people that are considered to be ‘family’ are allowed to visit patients. Hospital visitation is just one of

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