Marriage Equality - Essay Example

Marriage equality Marriage equality is a term that has been developed in the contemporary society to refer tosame-sex marriage. In spite of the term appearing obnoxious, it has become difficult to define equality in marriage. The traditional meaning of equality depended on the natural act, which is the marriage between a man and a woman. “Equality and gay peoples’ rights spite the notion of procreation” (Wolfson 79). In such cases, equity was viewed as a process of recognizing the rights of both spouses in a relationship. In fact, it dealt with the development of understanding of the limits between violation and acceptance. However, the changes in morality and social development have led to serious challenges in the definition of marriage equality. Equality in controversial marriages such as gay and lesbian marriage is a challenge to the society. The use of terms such as straight to define heterosexual individuals is a product of the need to identify the gay or up-right people in the society. The development of the diverse range of terms in explaining the new social development led to the creation of the term “marriage equality”. Therefore, when addressing marriage equality, it is vital to understand the various issues associated with the current term and the reasons for its development. Consequently, marriage equality is fundamentally a new term based on the cultural change witnessed in the world. The original meaning of the terms has been changed significantly because of the growing use of the term to mean new concepts in a marriage relationship (Wolfson 45). In fact, the new term has rendered the traditional term null or void based on the wide acceptance of the new meaning. The cultural meaning of the word is simple and easily understood, but with the current changes the world is becoming complex to understand such as the current terms like bootylicious and equality. Definition of marriage equality Marriage equality is defined as same-sex marriage that is legally recognized in the society as the marriage between mature or adult persons. The major question posed by the proponents of the idea is based on the protection of human rights that is protected fundamentally by the constitution. The bill or rights stipulate the major issues that must be addressed in the protection of human freedom. Based on these freedoms including the freedom of association, it becomes challenging when defining marriage equality. Equality in marriage and marriage equality in the contemporary society means two different things today (Wolfson 73). Equality in marriage is the protection of the rights of individuals in marriage while marriage equality is the struggle to accept the new set of marriage partners resulting from homosexual and lesbian relationship in the society. In fact, the push for recognition has led to serious challenge in the society because of the resistance posed by conservatives. Despite the challenges in defining the term, it is widely accepted culturally to mean the relationship between same-sex partners and their intention to live together has a couple. Equality and protection Marriage Equality relates to the protection of the choices made by the gay and lesbian individuals in the society. The protection against marriage discrimination and reduction of stigma associated with same sex marriage. The definition of marriage equality has changed significantly based on the acceptance of the new meaning, which is slightly different from traditional meaning. The new meaning has overshadowed the traditional meaning associated with the term (Wolfson 89). Marriage equality is a broad term in the contemporary society based on the understanding of the society. Language change is implemented by individuals in the society who lead to increased usage of the term. The actual meaning of equality in marriage is not clearly defined in the contemporary society based on the new meanings develop. The development of new terms illustrates the power of dynamic reasoning in the world, which affects and leads to changes in word use. Terms such as “getting laid” have been developed with the increased participation of the youth in language development. The traditional term used in the description of same-sex marriage included gay marriage (Wolfson 45). However, the proponents of the idea to accept gay marriage as similar to contemporary marriage between two spouses indicate the desire for recognition. In fact, the traditional heading such as the gay marriage heading have been wished away and replaced by marriage equality. The term borrows from the gender struggles that are vital in the development of feminism. Feminism and women's liberation fought for equality and recognition in the society. The same struggle has been viewed by the proponents of marriage equality as integral for the recognition of the needs and respect of the gay or lesbian couples. In fact, the development of the term is geared towards reducing stigma associated with same-sex marriages (Wolfson 23). For many years, the term “gay marriage” has been used in the society to describe same sex marriage with the media playing an important role in the development of the term. However, the switch to the term same-sex marriages led to further complications in the way issues of marriage are addressed in the society. The push for recognition of the term “Marriage equality” is seen to be based on the concept of mutual respect and understanding. The current society does not offer the opportunity to understand the nature of the new relationships based on stigmatization of the whole process. The current term is accepted because it is deemed as not offensive. The original term “gay marriage” was viewed as highly offensive leading to major revolt against the relationship. Therefore, in order to avoid stigmatization and generalizations, the development of the new term ensured success and understanding of the new social concept. In fact, it helped shape the behavior of the gay. It enhances gay rights which make the situation better for activism (Wolfson 142). The development of the new cultural term is a product of comparative analysis of the various words in order to achieve harmony. For instance, the use of words such as tribe and color has been banned over the world because it is viewed as stigmatization. Likewise, the avoidance of conflict in the society is an approach applied when addressing affiliations and determinations. Conclusion In fact, the problem of definition is sorted out when developing new words and using culture to develop new meanings for the words. In the case of marriage equality, it brings a new understanding of the whole marriage set up by developing a neutral term that cannot be linked to the stigma associated with gay marriage. It is a synonym for the word, but presented in a simple format and thought. The current development in the language involves the changing of the true meaning of the words and developing a central system or organization of the word with the main aim of revealing a new meaning (Wolfson 45). The term is currently enjoying massive support from linguistics and other related media. The de-linking of the term from the stigmatized associated with gay marriage has shaped the development and understanding of the term in the society. The challenge in the development of the term is based on the contemporary understanding of the meaning of the marriage. Religion played a significant role in shaping the attitude of individuals in the society. Despite the challenges posed by religion and the natural law of life, marriage equality has been spearheaded by civil society group leading to its recognition as the new term for describing same-sex marriage. The development of the Acts and the laws governing marriage has led to serious improvement of the understanding of the same sex relationship leading to better understanding of the new term based on the perceived description (Wolfson 47). In conclusion, the development of terms and words in the society depends on the acceptance of the term and the use in the contemporary society. Many terms have experienced a change or increased description of an event or relationship creating the need for new explanations. The development of the term marriage equality has been improved by social media usage, which makes it to be accepted in the society. Currently, the term is widely accepted in the society to mean the relationship of same-sex individuals. The term is experiencing exponential growth in terms of usage and acceptance. Terminologies used in communication depend on the usage and acceptance in the society. Therefore, the success of the term can be attributed to the continuous and the persistent use of the term in the society with the focus being on the new meaning. Works Cited Wolfson, Evan. Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay People's Right to Marry. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2007. Print. Read More