Homosexual Marriages Essay, Research Paper

Over time, marriage has been the solid base for procreation and

child rearing, which is the foundation of family and social life.

There is recognition that allowing polygamous or closely related

couples into our marriage system would be dysfunctional in our

society. Does this not apply to same-sex marriage as well? The

social unacceptability of same-sex marriage, the danger of

contracting AIDS, and the bad influence on children prove that

same-sex marriage should not be legalized.

Homosexual activists, approximately three percent of our

population, argue that those who do not agree with them are

?homophobic? or ?heterosexist.? However, that argument is

merely prejudiced against society. Today?s society can certainly

have its own opinion. The rights and laws of homosexuals are

ultimately restricted. Congress?s litigation now describes laws that

prevent gays and lesbians from marrying, procreating, or adopting

(Williams 299). Marriage, as well as adoption, is considered a

privilege; those who marry or adopt must obey the laws. No

examples in past history occur in which same-sex unions were

given the equal rights and legal recognition as heterosexual unions

(Kaplan 16). Factually, recent polls state that two-thirds of

American adults oppose same-sex unions in which the

homosexuals are given rights such as tax breaks, Social Security,

divorce rights, hospital visits, custody, or inheritance. In a different

poll taken, American adults were asked if homosexual marriage

should be legal; sixty-four percent stated no, while only

twenty-nice percent said yes. The same group of adults were also

asked about homosexual adoption. Fifty-seven percent said no,

while thirty-five percent agreed (Cloud 44).

Broadening our systematic form of marriage weakens it. on a

different note, the number of gays (males) exceeds the number of

lesbians, and legalizing same-sex marriage may result in male

domination, defeating the woman?s role in society. A hierarchy of

gay marriage holding more economic power and social status

could become, overcoming even all heterosexual unity (Williams

317).

The main reason the state is interested in marriage has been to

provide financial and emotional security, as well as role models for

children. In the current marriage system of only opposite-sex

unity, the protection of procreation is properly emphasized.

However, over the last century heterosexual marriage has

declined because notions of what makes a good man or woman

have changed, resulting in self-fulfillment elsewhere than in

marriage and family. The symbolism of homosexual marriage is

also disturbing. For example, a lesbian or gay wedding has a

heavy symbolic message on all guests that attend, including

children, cooks, and waiters. Generations to come will remember

the homosexual wedding as part of their friend?s or loved one?s

lifestyle. Even though some homosexual unions may raise children

better than some heterosexuals, the homosexual union is a

symbolic attack of the norm of society and highly unaccepted by

society. It is a known fact that homosexuals are ultimately

discriminated. Even in San Francisco, California, where gays are

populous, the homosexuals routinely experience discrimination,

hate, and rejection. These factors also show that same-sex

marriage is unaccepted by society. Surely, if same-sex marriage

becomes a natural reality, then bisexual and three-some marriages

will follow. What will become of society?

The AIDS virus plays a very significant part in homosexuality. The

persons with the highest risk of contracting the AIDS virus are gay

or bisexual white males (Williams 305). This AIDS virus is spread

continuously because the gay individual may either not know he is

HIV positive or may choose not to inform his sexual partner. Both

ways are equally dangerous, especially since gays often have

multiple sex partners. Since AIDS is most commonly spread by

bodily fluids, the HIV virus is most common for sexually active

individuals.

Consider the case of the North family. They married in 1982 but

separated in 1991 when Mr. North admitted to an affair with

another woman. He learned he was HIV positive in April 1991,

but continued to have unprotected sexual intercourse with his wife

until his June confession. After a year?s separation, Mr. North

revealed that there was no other woman; he had engaged in

homosexual activities beginning in 1979, continuing through his

marriage, and he and his homosexual lover- also HIV positive-

intended to inform the children about his new lifestyle. Mrs. North

then filed for divorce and asked that visitation be limited to protect

the children from the possibility of contracting HIV. She believed

that because he had repeatedly lied to her, he could not be trusted

to adequately guard the children against exposure to the gay

lifestyle (Williams 307).

HIV-positive homosexuals often lie about having AIDS in order

to keep their sexual partners. One HIV-positive male explained,

?I feel dangerous to my sex partner. But I have to keep

perspective and maintain my sexuality? (Williams 316). Bisexuals,

as well as homosexuals, come in contact with AIDS with varying

responses. Obviously, the AIDS virus is common in

homosexuality. Would legalizing same-sex marriage not increase

the range of individuals carrying the HIV virus?

Homosexuality creates a bad influence on children. The

concentration of children growing up in homosexual families is

mostly in San Francisco, New York, and other large urban cities.

The children of same-sex married couples are often deprived of

role models to look up to. Children of lesbian couples will be

deprived of a father, the effects of which are well documented.

The sexual preference of children of homosexual parents is also

affected. It is reasonable to state the rate at which children of

lesbian couples choose same-sex partners is geometrically larger

than the rate of children of heterosexual parents. A recent survey

concludes that nine out of twenty-five (36%) children of lesbian

mothers and four out of twenty-one (19%) children of

heterosexual mothers reported same-sex attraction. Additionally,

six of twenty-five (24%) children of lesbian mothers and zero of

twenty-one (0%) children of heterosexual mothers reported

becoming involved with someone of the same gender (Williams

308). Clearly, the child?s sexual preference is affected by the

parent?s sexuality.

A child of homosexual parents may also have affected behavior.

Serious health problems may incur from being a child of gay or

lesbian couples. Past research on children of lesbian or gay

couples is marred my methodological problems, including heavy

reliance on self-reporting and a tendency to ignore evidence not

supporting a conclusion. Boys raised by masculine fathers feel

more secure and generally do not commit crimes. Boys of lesbians

may be susceptible to this behavior. Homosexuals also have a

history of unstable relationships, so the children may suffer family

disruptions often.

Another peril involved with same-sex couples is their history of

substance abuse. As a group, same-sex couples are known for

substance abuse, which may lead to a shorter life expectancy than

heterosexuals, as well as a bad influence on children (Williams

308).

Despite some failures, the family of a husband, wife, and children

offers yet the best environment for human development. Same-sex

marriage may eventually damage the norm in our society and

disrupt human life. Many factors demonstrate that same-sex

marriage is a disruption to human life. The social unacceptability of

same-sex marriage, the danger of contracting AIDS, and the bad

influence of children prove that homosexual marriage should not

be legalized.