The Issue of Gay Marriages and How They Are Closely Linked to Gay and Lesbian Relationships - Coursework Example

Gay Marriages In the present times, a number of unorthodox relationships have started to blossom between individuals of the same genders and in our society we can easily pick certain people who are actually practicing the very same. Different people have quite distinct perceptions to these activities and indeed the relationships but what is more interesting is what the society as a whole thinks about the entire issue and then goes about either encouraging or refuting the same. It also depends on the actions of the opinion leaders within that very society that play a pivotal role in changing people’s perceptions about a subject or at times, completely abandoning in the better interest of the people and the society, as they rightly conclude. (Alderson, 2004) This paper discusses the issue of gay marriages and how they are closely linked to gay and lesbian relationships. This paper takes a close look at the way gay marriages have become a norm within the different spheres of life and how the same have affected the straight relationships in more ways than one. Also due consideration has been placed as per their physical basis, their taboo-ness attached with the subject and the overall feel of being tied in a gay marriage. It is a fact that in the present times, homosexuals have started to be seen as quite normal individuals within any society and they are not distinguished from the rest of the lot that comprise of the usual human beings. Homosexuals too need their space and indeed it is the duty on the part of the people as well as the society to make them feel at ease with the existent norms and routines this very society entails within it. It is however an irony to discern the double standards meted out by the individuals when they are willing to give equal rights to gays and lesbians yet fall short when these homosexuals demand the same treatment. (Mancoske, 2006) The society is simply not ready to comprehend that gay marriages can take place at all and people condemn it, notwithstanding their permission to grant fair and equal treatment to gays and lesbians. One needs to find out the real reason behind this type of thinking which one can accredit to a simple lack of understanding on the part of the people as well as the parables that have arisen with regards to the gay relationships and the homosexuals and their ways. It would not be wrong here to state that the public just does not have the knowledge and comprehension about the gay marriages and what advantages they contain within themselves, but just look at the other side and condemn it for the sake of it. (Mackey, 1997) They should at least have a close look at what these gay marriages can offer to the society and what they can bring in terms of benefits for the same day in day out. On the whole, there needs to be a complete change in understanding and insight as far as gay marriages are concerned and people must be made aware of them. As far as understanding the rights of gays and lesbians is concerned, the opinions people have are quite solid which might include the basic point that says gays and lesbians cannot produce kids. One needs to know that whether producing kids is the ultimate and the sole mission of marriage or the society offers much more than this to the individuals. These people have a right to live and enjoy their lives in the best way they possibly can think of in and hence they can exercise whatever they deem fit. The opinions that the people have raised in accordance with this topic leaves a lot to think about on our part and one can question and counter question the individuals who have something or the other against the gay marriages which have got nothing to do with their lives as they are neither gays nor lesbians, hence one can easily state that these very people can just shut up and let the gays and lesbians do whatever they feel like doing as this would not, in any condition whatsoever provide a loss to the society rather make many a people happy and contented with their soul partners, not necessarily from the opposite sex. This argument seems biased as it just takes into consideration the feelings and emotions of the people who have got nothing to do with gays and lesbians. It would have been more weighted and subjective had it also taken into view the sentiments and indeed the reactions of the gays and lesbians and more so the individuals who have tied the knot under the umbrella of gay marriage. Then this argument would have had a different meaning altogether and more could be taken out of it than now which simply is a manifestation of the sayings which have literally nothing to do with these relationships and marriages but just want to have their say left, right and center. As a matter of fact, the weaknesses that one can see in the argument thus constructed and hence gone about in mending the same are apparent. Quite rightly so the meanings implied as well as the rationale that is quite direct and blunt on the part of the statement raised is debatable from all angles and must be looked upon from a different perspective altogether, one that takes into view the people who are either gays or lesbians and more than that who are tied in the gay marriages for years now. (Wardle, 2003) The opposition to the same context have brought in examples from the Bible that how the holy book has condemned these activities and gone about telling people what they should do and indeed what they must not practice under different circumstances with each passing day of their lives. (Donovan, 2001) The same holds true for not only the gays and lesbians but also the normal straight relationship possessing people but it is an irony to know that these people do not carry out the divine orders rather exert their control on the gays and lesbians and censure the gay marriages from taking place. This is indeed quite a remarkable turn around from the teachings they have been given from the holy book and the priests of late. Hence it is a paradox to come to know that people have serious grievances with regards to the gay marriages in the society and they are quite opposed to the same whereby they can go to outstretched limits in order to achieve what they deem is right. They are open to giving the gays and lesbians their basic rights but just do not quite feel at home when the talk goes out loud of their marriage as then the issue gets a little out of hand for them. The need of the hour is to take everyone’s feelings and emotions into view and then only do what is right and not just hush up the matter for good. It is the right of every individual within the society to do whatsoever he or she feels is good for his own self and nobody else must have the authority to exercise power and command unto others. There are a lot of weaknesses and arguments that are mentioned here which can really be a source of inspiration for the people who feel that these people are calling a wrong thing as being right, in fact these very people do not know that they themselves are committing a wrong by thinking that they are right. (Ristock, 2002) References Wardle, Lynn D. Marriage and Same-Sex Unions: A Debate. Praeger, 2003 Mancoske, Ronald J. Michael Mello, Legalizing Gay Marriage. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, Vol. 33, 2006 Donovan, Catherine. Gay Intimacies: Families of Choice and Other Life Experiments. Routledge, 2001 Alderson, Kevin G. A Phenomenological Investigation of Same-Sex Marriage. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, Vol. 13, 2004 Mackey, Richard A. Gay and Lesbian Couples: Voices from Lasting Relationships. Praeger, 1997 Ristock, Janice L. No More Secrets: Violence in Lesbian Relationships. Routledge, 2002 Word Count: 1,275 Read More