Gay Marriage Essay, Research Paper

[Homosexuality] is an abomination. These few words were spoken more than two thousand years ago by Moses, who was conveying the ordinances of the Lord God. Today they are still the conviction of millions, including myself. Nevertheless, even though we may feel strongly against carnal relationships and particularly marriages between two people of the same sex, morals cannot be proven; morals cannot be placed on a witness stand and judged for the purpose of determining whose morals are an acceptable standard. Therefore, in order to operate as a fair and just nation, we should base all decisions regarding the legality of gay and lesbian marriage on existing legal standards.

These legal standards were developed and based on the principles of freedom and democracy on which our country was founded. The Declaration of Independence states that All men are created equal. This is to say that all men are endowed with the same inherent rights. Three of the most basic of these are the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If two adults of the same sex consider being married to each other as part of their pursuit of happiness, it should be their legal right to do so. Failure to recognize their marriage as a legal institution would be unequal treatment of homosexual couples, since heterosexual couples are permitted to marry as they please.

What those who oppose homosexual marriage must remember is that the freedom that permits same-sex marriage is the same freedom that allows Christians to worship God and read their bibles without persecution. Since the former of the two is currently being denied, it is a contradiction to permit the latter, because both marriage and religious freedom are primary pursuits of happiness to those who hold them as such, regardless of what type of marriage or religion they may subscribe to. Section I of Amendment XIV to the Constitution states, No state shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States . . . nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Therefore, the same legal protection that is granted to heterosexual marriages should be extended to all marriages of consenting adults who are citizens of the US, regardless of their sexual orientation. Thus, the Constitution protects gay and lesbian marriages, just as the First Amendment protects freedom of religion.

Despite whatever legal support can be found to uphold homosexual marriages, opposition is still inevitable. According to William Henry, author of Gay Parents: Under Fire and On the Rise, one of the biggest claims held by such opposition is the idea that children raised with homosexual parents will be more likely to be gay or lesbian adults and will never be shown the advantages of a heterosexual relationship. In reality, however, this claim cannot stand under scrutiny. James Clay, author of Respecting and Supporting Gay and Lesbian Parents and research scientist on the topic of children raised by homosexual couples, made the statement, there is no apparent relationship between a parent s sexual orientation and the sexual identity of a child. Also, additional support for this statement can be found in the obvious fact that most homosexual individuals were raised by heterosexual parents.

Another popular argument against the legalization of gay and lesbian marriage is that anyone could be married for the matter of convenience. Any two people could be married for the sole purpose of receiving tax breaks and other financial advantages. However, if this argument is seriously considered, it is obvious that anyone can arrange a marriage for financial reasons, not just homosexuals. For this reason, such an argument is illogical since the opposition is leaving out the fact that heterosexuals could arrange marriages as well.

In essence, unequal treatment of homosexuals contradicts the ideals of freedom and equality that are so important to the lives of every person. Therefore, it is imperative that we realize the effects that any unequal treatment of homosexuals can have on society. Thus, we must base all decisions regarding gay and lesbian marriage on existing legal standards. So, just as a criminal suspect remains innocent until proven guilty, a consensual marriage between two adults of the same sex should be legal until somehow proven a threat to the general welfare of all people.

Works Cited

Bible. New King James Version. Zondervan Publishing, 1996.

Clay, James W. Respecting and Supporting Gay and Lesbian Parents. The Education Digest. Apr. 1991: 51-53.

Henry, William A. Gay Parents: Under Fire and On The Rise. Time Magazine. 20 Sept. 1993: 66-68.