The Question about Equality of Rights of Gays - Essay Example

Juan Azael Camarena  English Composition  Edison College Gay Marriage Introduction The modern society is challenged with the issues of equality. The question about equality of rights of gays is one of the most controversial political and social issues. This argumentative essay is focused on different perspectives on this question. Currently, the New York State Senate and the law approved a right of gays for marriage. Therefore, it is possible to claim that gay marriage is promoted and legalized throughout the country in the course of time. It is relevant to take into account views of both antagonists and proponents of gay marriage. For example, Laura Kipnis claims that gay marriage is a logical continuation of relations among gay couples. Their emotional and psychological conditions should be united in the name of happiness. Moreover, gay marriage is often misperceived by the society, because attention is paid to sexual and intimate relations, but this type of relations is not considered as an option of adoption. There are a lot of orphans throughout the world and if there is a chance to provide those poor children with parents, why to take this option away from them? Analysis and Evaluation Jullian Rayfield gave a prompt answer to the question of gay marriage legalization. The article of the author named “New York State Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill” (24 June, 2011) considers background information and reactions for gay marriage in the State of New York. Many years have passed since the first time gays made an attempt to protect their rights and initiated a struggle for their love. Currently, gay marriage was legalized in the New York State Senate and this fact should be considered as victory of gays of America. This struggle occurred on the political background, though this issue is of a social and individual nature. Gay community received support from some political parties and it shows that modern politicians are open-minded and are ready for changes and blurring of limits of the modern society. Republicans supported legalization of gay marriage, because they would undermine democratic principles of their policies. It is possible to claim that harmonious society depends on harmonious members, happy individuals, which have a chance to live their lives with their beloved persons. Why not to have a child in the families of this type? As a rule, gays are loving parents and there are no objective reasons for preventing them from being parents. There are evident changes in the modern society and the institute of marriage reflects these changes as well. Heterosexual marriage has changed and the role of women is different from the one they had in the beginning of the 20th century. Gay marriage as a new social institution is still unstable, but it is possible to argue that this social phenomenon has a chance to survive in the modern society. Nevertheless, the fact that gay marriage is negatively accepted in the modern society cannot be denied. Thus, Bidstrup is focused on morality of gay marriage. There are many social stereotypes, which have been developed in the society for many years and gay marriage is often positioned as a morally perverted phenomenon, which is not appropriate even for the modern diverse society. This fact can be explained by considerations of gay marriage in emotional context, where the main emphasis is made on intimate and sexual relations of gays and not on their social roles (Bawr, 1994). Gays are perceived as abnormal or deviant individuals, which reach their satisfaction in a perverse manner. It is better to discuss an option of gay marriage as a socially beneficial phenomenon, when two beloved persons are able to contribute much to the development of the community and of the society as well. Moreover, gay marriage and adoption of children should be considered as socially favorable phenomena, because both these factors will create atmosphere of tolerance, patience and understanding in the society. It is possible to underline positive nature of gays as potential spouses or parents in such a way: “loyal to their mates, are monogamous, devoted partners. They value and participate in family life, are committed to making their neighborhoods and communities safer and better places to live, and honor and abide by the law” (Nava and Dawidoff 1995, p. 23). Thus, it is appropriate for the contemporaries to provide gay couples with an option to be sound spouses and parents and take part in the lives of the members of their communities in particular and in the American society in general. Having children in gay marriages is a necessity for those people, because a family without children is incomplete. Gays are good parents and this fact is often proven in the majority of sources (Eskridge, 1996). Opponents would argue that legalization of gay marriage and adoption can “threaten an institution of marriage or lead to a “slippery slope" towards legalized incest, bestial marriage, polygamy and all manner of other horrible consequences” (Bidstrup). This claim of opponents can be argued, because homosexuality is not a “slippery slope” at all. It is individual psychological and emotional condition and to legalize gay marriage is to make those individuals sound members of the society, having the same rights, as the rest of the society. Tolerance, love and respect are three basic pillars for every society and there is no need to undermine those basics, but rather to work in favor of their improvement. Conclusion In accordance with the modern researches and studies it is found out that gays are devoted parents and their families succeed much from these loving and caring people. In such a way, there is a direct connection between a social success of the community and the society and legalization of gay marriage and the option of adoption. Furthermore, homosexuality is not considered as a psychological or emotional deviance, but rather as an inner necessity of self-realization. Gay marriage and adoption of children by gay couples is a necessary measure to be taken by the modern society. Democratic principles of the American society, availability of equal rights and freedom sustain this country for centuries. The contemporaries have an option to integrate democratic principles even more profoundly and discard homophobic beliefs of the modern society. Thus, it is necessary to introduce policies of tolerance in the society and bring young Americans in a friendly atmosphere, where not the gender of parents or spouses matter, but their devotion to the spouses, children and the society is more valuable. Works cited Bawr, B. A Place at The table. Simon & Schuster, 1994. Bidstrup, Scott. "Gay Marriage, the Arguments and the Motives". Web. 11 June, 2012. Eskridge, W. N. The Case for Same-Sex Marriage: From Sexual Liberty to Civilized Commitment. Free Press, 1996. Kipnis, Laura. "Something's Missing." Women's Studies Quarterly 34.3/4 (2006): 22+. Nava, M. and Dawidoff, R. Created Equal: Why Gay Rights Matter to America. St. Martin's Griffin, 1995. Rayfield, J. New York State Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill, 24 June, 2011. Web. 11 June, 2012. http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/new-york-state-senate-passes-marriage-equality-bill.php Read More