Same-Sex Marriage Is a Controversial Issue - Essay Example

Same-Sex Marriage College Same-sex marriage has been a controversial issue in the United s for close to 50 years. Gay rights activists started pushing for legalization of same-sex marriage in the 1970s, but the movement gained major momentum in the 1980s and then peaked in 1993. 1993 is often considered to be the breakthrough year among gay rights activists because of a landmark ruling by the Hawaii Supreme Court. In Baehr v. Lewin, the court ruled that the state of Hawaii was in danger of violating the constitution by prohibiting same-sex marriage1. Most same-sex marriage supporters took advantage of the turmoil in the 1970s and 1980s that defined various movements and pushed for the legalization of same-sex marriage. For example, research shows that various same-sex proponents exploited the attention garnered by the civil rights movement to fight for their rights. This could be explained by the fact that 1960s to 1980s was the period during which many rights came about in America. African-Americans, gays, women and minority groups all embarked on a quest to make their feelings known to the government and to acquire greater protection by the law. Prominent pro-gay rights groups emerged during this period and challenged the established order to protect their members. Many gays started coming out in the 70s and 80s, and after gays acquired more rights, the push for same-sex marriage was the next chapter. The 1970s and 1980s were the most prolific in terms of prominent people coming out and supporting same-sex marriage. In addition, registration in gay rights groups increased dramatically. People were now ready to declare their status openly and live with the repercussions2. For most gays, the only obstacle remained marriage. In the 1990s, national polls conducted on same-sex marriage showed that more people were open to its legalization, compared to the 1980s where the thought of equating same-sex marriage with “normal” marriages was virtually sacrilegious. However, this showed that progress was being made. At the turn of the century, the clamor for same-sex marriage reached its peak. Research shows that in the year 2000, more Americans were comfortable with same-sex marriage more than ever. Millions of Americans felt that if it did not affect them in any way then there was no problem with it. Violence and hostilities towards gays and same-sex marriage supporters had also reduced significantly, showing that the time was right. Conditions were right, the public was prepared and the government recognized that the tide had turned in favor of same-sex marriage. In 2004, the state of Massachusetts set a precedent for other US states by legalizing same-sex marriage. This came after the Supreme Judicial Court ruled, in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, that gays could marry and that the department had violated the Constitution by refusing to provide same-sex couples with marriage licenses3. In 2012, President Obama set a precedent by becoming the first sitting American president to publicly endorse the legalization of same-sex marriage. From this point, there was no going back; Obama’s endorsement made same-sex marriage a formality. In 2012, Washington and Maryland legalized same-sex marriage via popular vote, the first ones to do so. There are many America organizations that support same-sex marriage. Most of them are basically lesbian, gays, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups that advocate for the rights of all non-heterosexual people4. The most popular ones include the following: The Family Equality Council, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Gay, Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the GLBT National Help Center, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, the National Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation, Parents, and Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays. These organizations fight for the rights of all non-straight people, including same-sex marriage. The basis of their campaign is that all people are equal and the Constitution provides for all Americans’ rights regardless of sexual orientation. Most of these organizations cite the Virginia Declaration of Rights as a symbol of their right to practice same-sex marriage without facing ridicule or criticism from other quarters5. In fact, some of them have started pushing for the amendment of the US Constitution to reflect the legalization of same-sex marriage in other states. They argue that the US Constitution should, just like state laws, clearly and explicitly show support for same-sex marriage6. From a purely human point of view, these organizations are right. In my opinion, other people’s sexual orientation does not affect me in any way and therefore they can get married if they want to. Just like all supporters of same-sex marriage, I believe that apart from their sexual nature they are just normal people. Being gay or getting married to each other does not make them inhuman. In 2012, the Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) sponsored a study which showed the hypocrisy of some sections of the American public. The study’s findings revealed that some sections of the American public had no qualms working in organizations owned or managed by gay people or couples, but did not approve of their marriages. The study also revealed that some sections of the American public did not mind using products and services offered by companies owned by gay people or couples, but shunned same-sex marriage7. So, in essence, this created a “damned if you, damned if you don’t” situation for same-sex couples and gays. Why, GLAD asked, do some people feel the need to engage in such hypocrisy? According to the organization, these findings merely depicted the bigoted and insincere nature of the American public. In summary, the concept driving same-sex marriage supporters such as GLAD is that all of us are humans and our sexual orientations do not change that. Just like disabilities and mental handicaps, sexual orientations do not determine anything. Someone does not cease being human because he is gay and is married to another gay man8. Sexual discrimination is illegal and is an archaic way of showing disagreement with other people’s sexual orientation. It is also unfair and unjust. In addition, the Bible teaches us to love everybody, so opposition to same-sex marriage is against God’s commandments. Just like there are organizations supporting same-sex marriage, there are also many others that oppose it around the world. The United States has many popular groups that are strongly against the idea of same-sex marriage. These groups also strongly oppose all non-heterosexual activities and orientations, using various arguments to support their views. They include the following: Abiding Truth Ministries, American Family Association, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, American Vision, Chalcedon Foundation, Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, Concerned Women for America, Coral Ridge Ministries, Dove World Outreach Center, Faithful Word Baptist Church, Family Research Council, Family Research Institute, Heterosexuals Organized for a Moral Environment, Illinois Family Institute, Liberty Counsel, MassResistance, National Organization for Marriage, and the Traditional Values Coalition. Most of these organizations use religious rationale to support their views9. For example, the Abiding Truth Ministries frequently quotes the Bible as evidence of God’s opposition to same-sex marriage and all gay relationships. The ministry preaches that God created man and woman for a good reason. If God had wanted people of the same sex to be in relationships and marry each other He would have insinuated so during creation or created women or men only. In addition, same-sex marriages do not support procreation, the fundamental logic of all religious unions and relationships. God directed mankind to “go forth and fill the Earth,” but how will this happen in same-sex marriages? This means it is sinful and forbidden. A man cannot procreate without a woman and vice-versa, and even technology cannot replace God’s original plan for man. Same-sex marriage goes against God’s commandments, which supersede any laws created by man to support gay unions10. These organizations have extended their arguments to include adoption and technological attempts that attempt to usurp the natural act of procreation. Test tube babies, in vitro fertilization and adoption are not procreation. Some organizations such as Heterosexuals Organized for a Moral Environment have used same-sex marriage as a sign of growing evil in the world. They have warned their members against developing relations with people of the same sex lest they become propagators of evil like their colleagues who have fallen into the same “trap.” In 2013, the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission distributed leaflets to people in certain regions, cautioning the public against becoming purveyors of evil like their gay counterparts. Apart from non-religious opinions, other groups, organizations opposing same-sex marriage have regularly cited ethical and moral rationales to “fight” gay unions and same-sex marriages. They state that it is “unnatural” for people of the same sex to desire each other11. They also argue that it is “unnatural” for people to undergo procedures to alter their sexes. Same-sex marriages are a contradiction of human nature and should not be tolerated in any way whatsoever. In summary, these arguments have religious, ethical and moral foundations that give these groups the firm conviction that same-sex marriage should not occur. They therefore clash directly with supporters of same-sex marriage and their legal and “humanistic” perspectives. I believe that same-sex marriage is sinful and is a direct violation of the basic nature of mankind. I also believe that same all types of same-sex relationships violate God’s commandments. Finally, I believe that same-sex marriage is a poor decision by mankind to put self-interests ahead of God’s requirements. The fact is that no matter the arguments presented by supporters of same-sex marriage, man is naturally religious and cannot escape religion. Same-sex marriage represents everything that is wrong with the human race today12. It also embodies the gullible nature of mankind, with people always being ready to ignore their roots and engage in sacrilegious activities that satisfy their selfish interests. If God had wanted same sex marriages he would have provided for it in one way or the other; there is a reason He did not. The truth lies in the physiological and psychological nature of mankind. Studies show that when developing attraction for people of the same sex, most gays feel a strong sense of guilt and uneasiness because they are not sure if they are doing the right thing. In contrast, sexual attraction between heterosexuals is generally free from feelings of guilt and discomfort. In other words, it is natural. Studies also show that there are more heterosexual people than gay people in the world. If same-sex marriage was truly natural then the number of gay people would be more than it is now. For example, I would be easily attracted to people of the same sex as easily as I am attracted to people of the opposite sex. However, this is not the case, so we cannot say that same-sex marriage is a natural feature of mankind13. I strongly believe that same-sex marriage is an artificial concept created by mankind to facilitate whatever “adventurous” thoughts come to his mind. Male and female anatomies are different for a reason; they were created to serve different purposes. In light of this, it is important to ask why mankind has violated God’s commandments or twisted them to suit his own interests. Naturally, men and women have all the anatomical features to support heterosexual relationships. On the other hand, they do not have the required features to support same-sex relationships same-sex procreation14. It is for this reason that people in same-sex unions make do and adapt instead of enjoying relationships as they should naturally be. An interesting argument commonly brought up in same-sex marriage debates involves why it is only in humans that same-sex relationships occur. Why are there not same-sex relationships in animals? Why is there such a high degree of uniformity across the animal kingdom? From flies to domesticated animals, sexual relationships among all living beings occur between opposite sexes. In my opinion, this is evidence that same-sex marriages are bang out of order; they were not meant to be and that is where the argument should end15. If they were meant to be then God would have shown us in whatever way possible that it is natural. Why do we have to look within ourselves and our laws to justify it? The answer is because all other logic opposes it; it is wrong and unnatural. Bibliography Bedi, Sonu. Beyond Race, Sex, and Sexual Orientation Legal Equality without Identity. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2013. Brownson, James V. Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Churchs Debate on Same-sex Relationships. Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans Pub., 2013. Corvino, John, and Maggie Gallagher. Debating Same-sex Marriage. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. Healey, Justin. Same-sex Marriage Debate. Thirroul, N.S.W.: Spinney Press, 2013. John, Jeffrey. Permanent, Faithful, Stable Christian Same Sex Marriage. Luton: Andrews UK, 2013. Miller, Debra A. Gay Marriage. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Richman, Kimberly D. License to Wed What Legal Marriage Means to Same-sex Couples. New York: New York University Press, 2014. Smith, Owen. Taking Sides. 14th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2014. Sterngass, Jon. Same Sex Marriage. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2012. Read More