Same-Sex Marriage in America - Essay Example

The issue of same-sex marriage had been roaming around the large mass of land in America. Early 1924, the Society for Human Rights in Chicago was the first to exist as gay rights organization. In 1962, Illinois decriminalized the homosexual acts between consenting adults in private, and in 2000 Vermont was the first state to recognize legally the civil unions between gay or lesbian couples. A certain law states that “couples would be entitled to the same benefits, privileges, and responsibilities as spouses.” In addition, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court gave its verdict that barring gays and lesbians from marrying is tantamount to a violation of the state constitution (“The American Gay”).
The Concept of Marriage
The Law of God, as well as the law of the land, strongly holds that marriage is a sacred ceremony; a union that ties the knot between couples. It has been established in the society of America, and all over the world that marriage is between a man and a woman. Today, there has been a controversy where the gays and lesbians are involved--that same-sex marriage is a form of immorality and in religious view, an abomination. It is true that many homosexuals were asking the government to legalize the so-called--same-sex marriage. In fact, there were many “gay rights movements” that moved and sentiments aired. This had been regarded as social injustice, thus needed to be addressed. Traditional couples enjoy marriage privileges and benefits like procreation, known, or at least presumed paternity, child and spousal support, stability in family life, and survivor’s rights, as far as the U.S Constitution is concerned (“Constitutional Topic”).
Same-sex couples also wanted to enjoy those benefits. According to some of them, they could also feel the same level of personal commitment the way the traditional couples do. Morally speaking, this had really created a smoke of non-acceptance and discrimination towards the society because this kind of set-up--gay men and women marriage was not acceptable. Some of the religious denominations discriminated against such kind of marriage, but homosexuals still urge the government for its implementation. Sometime in 1990, homosexual advocates protested for their ‘constitutional right’ to have a marriage license and be accepted in the community. Although, there were religious leaders that stood against this ‘immoral activity,’ it was still accepted by the government. They sought to modify the civil marriage for them to be included. Indeed, many religious groups have shown their views and sentiments regarding this issue. They see marriage as based on sacred practice; they argue that if the government would change the definition of marriage it is equivalent to reducing its sacred value (“Constitutional Topic”).
The Controversies
Homosexuality has gained different labels such as ‘immoral,’ ‘improper,’ ‘unacceptable,’ etc. In early 1956, a pioneering national lesbian organization was established known as The Daughters of Bilitis. In 1973, homosexuality was removed from the official list of mental disorders by the American Psychiatric Association. Also, the state of Wisconsin prohibits discrimination against gay men and women on the basis of sexual orientation. In addition, gays were permitted to serve in the military provided that no homosexual activity should be done, through the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy as instituted for the U.S military. In effect, there was opposition to the said enactment; thousands of men and women in the armed forces were discharged.
Mode of Change-Making: Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage
It was reported that gay couples have been fighting for the legalization of same-sex marriage Read More