The Debates on Gay Marriage - Essay Example

? (Assignment) Gay Marriage Gay marriage or same sex marriage refers to a legally recognized marriage between two males. The gay marriage has become a hot button issue for debate especially, in western countries for the last two decades. However; since 2001, ten countries and a number of jurisdictions have legally approved same-sex marriage and they consider it as a matter of civil, moral, social, political, and religious issue. Despite the legal validity of the gay marriage, limited rights are granted to gay marriage as compared to heterosexual marriage. In fact, the same sex marriage does not hurt the institution of marriages because homosexuals enjoy pleasure that is obtainable from a traditional marriage. Obviously, romance is the most profound feeling that determines the intensity of relationship especially between adolescents. To be more specific, the different choices in romantic relationships have a profound influence on their aspirations. Marriage has legal as well as social aspects. It is evident that many countries grant tax benefits to married couples. Marriage ensures the property rights if one partner is died or permanently disabled. In a social point of view, marriage constitutes a couple’s commitment to each other and their agreement as a family unit. Each and every individual has the basic human right to express themselves without depending on the approval of any authority. While prohibiting same sex marriage, this condition questions the personal integrity of homosexuals and hence this governmental act do separates the gay people from the mainstream of the society. Once individuals are prohibited from marrying a same sex person, it completely falls under the category of gender based discrimination. United States is a country that takes a strong stands towards discrimination with regard to gender, politics, race, or religion. Hence, any restriction on gay marriage would constitute the breach of federal law. It is not provable that gay marriage would raise any sort of threat to society. On the other hand, there are several reasons to believe that gay marriage may bring significant social outcomes. Every individual does not get equal footing in the society when gay people are prevented from accessing legal rights such as tax breaks, next-of-kin rights, and inheritance settlements. The ban on gay marriage is not different from preventing women from voting or denying African-American’s access to public places. One of the most potential arguments for gay marriage is that it enhances the marriage rate. Since 1991, there was a sharp decline in marriage rates world wide. In some countries, the marriage rates were down over 20%. This declining marriage rate clearly reflected deterioration in social as well as cultural values since premarital sexuality and sexual promiscuity were the root causes of the decrease in marriage rates. In addition, this worse condition also persisted to be a threat to the existence of family relationships. However, a steep rise in marriage rate is observed as the gay marriage was legalized. For instance, 4000 couples married in San Francisco in just one month when the city legally validated same sex marriages. While comparing with the marriage statistical data of many other countries, it is evident that gay marriage boosts marriage rates. There were 12,348 same sex marriages registered in Canada from June 2003 (date of same sex marriage legalization in Ontario, a province of Canada) to October 2006 (‘Re-opening the debate’). Similarly, divorce rates have increasingly risen for the last two decades. As specified in the ‘Gay Marriage Facts & Statistics Tips, United States statistics show that 60% of all opposite sex marriages ended in divorce during the first decade and the figure rose to 80% in the first 20 years. Although, government and religious institutions have taken initiatives towards the safety of family relationships, the divorce rate still continues to be unsatisfactory. At this time, the family bonds of same sex couples are much stronger and safer than heterosexual couples. People who cherish mixed gender relationships often conveniently forget their discontent or as Kantor (1998) comments, “uncomfortable with his or her own sexuality, the homophobic person focuses on what is wrong with the sexuality of other people” (Crooks and Baur, 247). The writers also point out the plethysmograph study conducted by Adams et al in 1996 which clearly reveals that men with keeping negative attitude to gay men also have erotic feelings toward other men though they would deny the arousal. Psychological researches show that homosexual persons cannot lead a successful family life with an opposite sex partner. It has been scientifically proved that homosexuals do not get sexual satisfaction through natural sex (between a man and woman). As the homosexual persons become the laughing stone before the society they tend to abstain from social activities. Melancholia, the condition of feeling unhappy or sad for no obvious reason, is commonly found in gays and lesbians who do not get sexual satisfaction from homosexuality. Hence, the society cannot take advantages of homosexuals in any means. To be specific, the ban on gay marriage would seriously impinge on nation’s socio-economic stability. At this juncture, it is important to point out the theory of Terry Tafoya that introduces the concept of ‘two-spirit males and females’; according to this explanation, ‘two-spirit males and females’, regardless of their involvement with men or women, may have sex or relationship with same sex but not with the same gender (qtd. Lang, 104). The underlying notion is that individuals who involve in same sex relations may not be necessarily homosexuals. What is important to them is not the sameness but the gender variance they experience from each other. In total, the ban on gay marriage is a clear case of gender based discrimination, which will have far reaching consequences in the society. In fact, sexual outlook and individual choices are the key factors that determine the agreement or conflicts between partners. Above all, same sex does not inevitably ensure same gender if the individuals involved maintain opposite gender desires. In the same way, if the partners maintain entirely different perspectives and romantic mood, the relationship will definitely fail regardless of their gender. Works Cited Crooks, Robert and Baur, Karla. Our sexuality. US: Cengage Learning, 2008. Print. Gay Marriage Facts & Statistics Tips. LifeTips: Move Up in Life. Web 22 June 2011 Lang, S. “Various kinds of two-spirit people”. In Two-spirit people: Native American gender identity, sexuality, and spirituality. Eds. S. E. Jacobs, W. Thomas, & S. Lang. University of Illinois Press, 1997. Print. ‘Re-opening the debate more and more unfair’. Canadians For Equal Marriage. Web. 22 June 2011 Read More