A Critique of William Bennett’s “Against Gay Marriage” The issue of homosexuals in our society is becoming more of a debate. The debate is no longer whether we should accept them, but rather, should they be legally recognized. Gay marriage should not be legalized because of its effect it would have on society. William Bennett’s article “Against Gay Marriage” was originally published in the Washington Post and highlights the negative effects of gay marriage on our society. Bennett wrongfully believes that homosexual and heterosexual unions are not comparable; however, if we change the definition of marriage, our society’s understanding of marriage would be irreconcilably ruined.
Personally I have gone through arguments with many people about the proposition and what I stood for as a person. I do believe that it is a right for gays to be with their other partner, but at the same time I believe that marriage should be considered between a husband and wife, and marriage is not only done under the state, but under God. If homosexuals want to marry in a church or any type of religious place, they shouldn’t because as a fellow believer of God, I don’t see how they can get married under God’s name, where in the Bible marriage is seen between a man and a woman and not a woman and a woman or a man and man. And if they choose not to follow God’s view on marriage, then why should they get married in the house of the Lord? It just does not seem right.
Geneva Edison Professor Kelley English 101 July 16, 2012 Gay Rights and Civil Rights According to Julian Bond, “How can we deny the rights and privileges of marriage to gay people without violating the principles of justice, equality and respect for individual freedom” (Bond)? This statement has been the topic of discussion in our homes, our public forums, our churches, and our political society for ages. Although in recent ages, it was a topic that many did not want to entertain or discuss. However; this is not the case today, it must be discussed and we must make a decision as to whether gays should or should not marry. Bond also states that all Americans should have the right to marry the person of their choice, regardless
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.
To the contrary, the amendment imposes a special disability on those persons alone. Homosexuals are forbidden the safeguards that others enjoy or may seek without constraint" (J.A Kennedy,2009) The truth is, I think it is sick that here in the United States, gay marriage is not a federally protected right. This is bigotry, pure and simple, and it needs to stop. Denying two women or two men the right to marry is as cruel and absurd as it was to deny two straight people of different races the right to marry. Maybe I'm missing something, but doesn't the Constitution of the United States guarantee everyone the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
Personally, I believe that homosexuals should be granted the same rights as heterosexual couples. As someone said, “marriage is a basic human right. You cannot tell people they cannot fall in love.” While he said this in reference to marriage between races, the same can be said about homosexuals. Who are we to allow some people to get married, and tell others they cannot. As a nation, we have no right to take
To analyse their ‘post-queer’ basis for the politics of marriage, the authors use the work of Anthony Giddens and Cheshire Calhoun to establish that “same-sex marriage contributes to the trend toward increased reflexivity and expanded autonomy in intimate and sexual life” (138). Meeks and Stein highlight Michael Warner’s article which critiques the normalizing politics of activists and note that when entered into, marriage lends greater dignity to couples, but from the outside, the relationships are less worthy. The authors emphasize that same-sex marriage would not change marriage as much as it would re-define moral boundaries, thus making same-sex relationships
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.
One main issue with homosexuals not receiving the same rights as heterosexuals is the lack of benefits. Due to that fact that gay couples cannot get married in most states, they also do not have access to most benefits that married couples receive. These benefits include: * Death benefits: if a spouse of an unmarried couple passes, the other spouse cannot receive bereavement, right to file wrongful death claims, or inherit assets. * Family leave: gay spouses do not receive paid leave to care for a sick partner or
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.