In addition, there has been a growing emphasis placed on equal rights. These two movements have contributed to keeping the argument for same-sex marriage in the forefront. There are people who believe that although progress has been made, Christian values are still an obstacle for the progress that needs to take place and Brittney Baker is one of them. She compares and contrasts the relationship between the religious and gay community’s attitudes towards same-sex marriage. She puts forth rebuttals to many of the typical arguments for prohibiting same-sex marriage.
Review of Chet Meeks’ and Arlene Stein’s Article “Refiguring the Family: Towards a Post-Queer Politics of Gay and Lesbian Marriage” While same-sex relationships have been recognized in countries like Europe, South Africa, Australia, and North America, America banned same-sex marriage one year after a Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples were entitled to equal rights. In Refiguring the Family: Towards a Post-Queer Politics of Gay and Lesbian Marriage, the authors Chet Meeks and Arlene Stein focus not on the resistance to lesbian and gay marriage by the American mainstream, but on the opinions within the lesbian and gay community, since the lesbian and gay communities have been divided in the United States about the issue. Meeks and
Prop 8 Jennifer Raback Morse argues that “gay rights activists misunderstand the motives of proposition 8 supporters: The proposition is not an expression of hatred toward gays, but a way of restraining an overzealous state Supreme Court which had attempted to redefine marriage.” She views marriage as a “gender-based institution that attaches mothers and fathers to each other and to their children.” (pg. 83) I agree with Morse. She has a good point that the proposition is not an expression of hatred toward gays, but an attempt to redefine marriage, and children should have at least the chance to have a relationship with a mom and dad. I agree with Morse because the proposition was never to show hatred towards homosexuals, but it was to protect marriage. Personally I have gone through arguments with many people about the proposition and what I stood for as a person.
Homosexual Marriage: Boies versus Stanton The fight for civil rights in the United States has gone through different phases, the most current of which is the dispute over whether or not homosexuals should be allowed to marry. The various states of the union have treated this issue in different ways: some have passed laws that allow gays and lesbians to wed; however, most have held on to the idea that marriage should be reserved for heterosexual couples. By and large, the nation is divided over this matter. David Boies and Glenn T. Stanton discuss the basic arguments behind this controversy. Boies supports gay marriage; Stanton rejects it.
When talking about homosexual vs. heterosexual unions, they are comparable in all ways; however, legalizing them together would cause irrevocable damage to our already weak view of the institution of marriage. Our young generation is in a time where they are being told how to speak and sometimes think, and societal indifference to gay marriage would further confuse our youths who already find their sexuality hard. It is very important that we continue to take strides toward accepting homosexual unions; however, legalizing gay marriage is not a necessary step for that to
For Gay Marriage Andrew Sullivan’s article “For Gay Marriage” is an excerpted from Sullivan’s 1995 book, Virtually Normal: An Argument About Homosexuality, and reprinted by Behrens and Rosen (404 – 407). This paper provides a summary of Sullivan’s controversial article on this timely and long-fought civil rights issue. “For Gay Marriage” highlights the moral, philosophical and legal arguments surrounding the issue of denying marriage to homosexual and lesbian Americans. More importantly, it highlights the moral, philosophical and legal arguments in favor of gay marriage, which Sullivan clearly supports. Although Sullivan clearly supports gay marriage, his article is an insightful piece that provides a respectful look at various views of this philosophically and emotionally-charged subject, while providing a sound intellectual argument in favor of gay marriage.
The topic of same-sex marriage, or gay marriage, is extremely divisive in today's society. Many in favor of same-sex marriage suggest that gay couples should have the same marital benefits as heterosexual couples, which is simply a civil rights issue. The issue of same-sex marriage is an argument that all of us have heard, and most of us have strong opinions on. I know very few people that don’t have a preference of legalization or not. Personally, I believe that homosexuals should be granted the same rights as heterosexual couples.
While the main reason people in the US seem to get married is out of love, it is by no means the only reason (Kellard). One of the arguments against gay marriage is the idea presented by Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis in the Old Testament. Therefore, much of the opposition to same-sex marriage is rooted in the Bible. But when did the Bible become the basis for the laws of a country that accepts every religion? The article 10 reasons why Homosexual “Marriage” is harmful and must be opposed states: “Marriage is not the creature of any State.
Opponents of homosexual marriage feel that by allowing gay and lesbians the right to marriage undermines the traditional definition of marriage. However, as society changes and the demands of the American citizens change, there needs to be changes that comply with not only the traditional society but also with modern needs of the United States people. Not only are homosexual couples being denied marriage rights but also adoption rights in several states. There would be no harm to society by allowing homosexuals the right to marriage or to legally adopt; the positive impacts it would have on society are far greater then the negative effects. Homosexuals should get the same rights as any other United States citizen.
Same-sex marriage should be legal. Homosexual marriage should be on the same playing field as heterosexual marriage. Once this feat is mastered then equality will not hold boundaries as it does at the moment. In an interview with Katie Wiley, 37-year-old heterosexual college student and mother, when asked what the benefit of same-sex marriage was, she answered, “The benefit of same-sex marriage is equality. Everyone should be treated the same whether or not they are homosexual or heterosexual.” Pondering her answer makes it clear that not everyone is equal.