Should Gay Marriage Be Granted The Same Legal Recognition as Heterosexual Marriage - Research Paper Example

Should gay marriage be granted the same legal recognition as heterosexual marriage? The issue of gay marriage and its legalization has become a much debated controversial issue worldwide. While supporters of gay marriage emphasize on the protection of human rights and individual freedom of choice, the moral and ethical dimensions of gay marriages have repeatedly been questioned. Opponents scorn gay marriage as it undermines the sacred institution of marriage and natural heterosexual relationships which result in the procreation of children. However, there are researchers who argue that it is not desirable to force homosexuals to engage in heterosexual marital affairs as this would ruin their personal and familial life. They also argue that homosexuality is not a mental illness but is an inherent character of humans which should be treated similarly as the case of heterosexuals. Similarly, public opinion polls demonstrating the increased societal acceptance of gay sexuality and the recognition of homosexuality as a way of life rather than a mental disorder or disease prompt one to think in favor of granting the same legal recognition to gay marriage as in the case of heterosexual marriages. The recognition of homosexuality as a way of life and a normal aspect of human sexuality has been instrumental in arguing for same legal recognition for gay marriages. In the past homosexuality had been perceived as a mental disorder or illness by psychologists, clinicians and psychiatrists. They strongly believed that homosexual behavior could be cured through clinical therapy or medical treatment. However, this view has been challenged by modern clinicians and in 1973 the American Psychiatric Association (APA) removed homosexuality from among the list of mental disorders. The APA postulated that both “heterosexual behavior and homosexual behavior are normal aspects of human sexuality” and concluded that medical treatments and reorientation therapies are ineffective and at times harmful in changing the sexual orientation of lesbians or gays (Phelan, Whitehead & Sutton 5). Consequently, homosexuals started to celebrate their gay or lesbian identity and this gave way for an increased demand of the gay communities to be accepted into the straight world. Today homosexuality is perceived as a way of life rather than a mental illness or dysfunction and as pointed out by Minton, a homosexual starts his journey “from the first signs of sexual difference, through phases of identity confusion, identity acceptance (coming out), and finally a commitment to adapting homosexuality as a way of life (269).” This identification of homosexuality as a way of life has immensely assisted gay and lesbian liberation movements that seek for the same legal recognition of gay marriages. The increasing public acceptance of homosexuality as revealed through public opinion polls, positive media representations of homosexual relations, legalization of homosexuality in other nations, recognition of homosexual unions as constitutional, and changed public attitudes on gay and lesbian parenting support arguments favoring same legal recognition for gay marriages. Recent public opinion polls in the United States reveal that homosexuality has gained more of public acceptance during the past 2-3 decades. Today, a larger population are for legalizing homosexual relations (43% in 1977 vs. 55% in 2008) while majority are considering homosexual relations as acceptable lifestyle (34% in 1982 vs. 54% in 2008) (Goode 202). All these support the argument that homosexuals should be given the right to get married. While homosexuality has been regarded as a criminal behavior in many states the 2003 Supreme Court verdict that the Texas sodomy laws were unconstitutional proved to be a landmark victory for the homosexuals in the United States. The same year the Canadian parliament legitimized homosexual marriages. This recognition of the legal and constitutional rights of gays and lesbians takes one very close to granting equal legal recognition to gay marriages. Similarly, positive media representations of homosexual relations that highlighted reports of homosexual weddings, engagements, anniversaries, and the success stories of gay couples also advertised homosexual cause among the public(Goode 206). Stereotyped beliefs on gay and lesbian parenting were another major blockage in legalizing gay marriages. However, studies reveal that children of gay and lesbian parents show no less social or psychological adjustments than their counterparts and this facilitated the campaign for the legal protection of gays’ and lesbians’ parental rights (Minton 270). It is thus evident that gay marriage should be granted the same legal recognition as heterosexual marriage. However, it is worthwhile to analyze the arguments against legalizing of gay marriages. Both morality and religion condemn gay marriages; the concept of gay marriage is against the teachings of Christianity as it upholds that God has designed human beings as men and women to complement each other and marriage is the primary institution that unites both men and women. In this respect, Stanton and Maier observe that the supporters of gay marriage do not take into account the inter dependency between men and women (Stanton & Maier 7). The opponents of gay marriages perpetuate that family as the most powerful institution would cease to exist once gay marriages are legalized. Similarly, gay marriage is against the natural order of the universe as homosexuality never yields any fruits in terms of procreation. However, Queer theologians argue that “God created humans in His image; hence, homosexual behavior, an expression of that humanity, is a blessing, not a sin” (Goode 207). They also hold that both heterosexual and homosexual relations have always been present in human history and that any given sexual orientation is natural. It can thus be seen that a number of factors contribute to the increasing need for legalizing gay marriages and granting homosexuals equal rights as that of the heterosexuals. These consist of changed attitude towards gay parenting, less negative media representations of homosexuals, increasing societal acceptance of gay sexuality, support from increasing percentage of Christians, court’s ruling that sodomy laws are unconstitutional, recognition of homosexuality as a way of life rather than a mental disorder, and the inclusion of gay and lesbian studies in the university curricula (Goode 209). Similarly, strengthening of gay politics, public forums for human rights and social justice for gay people, and newly recognized rights for homosexuals all support the cause of gay marriages being given legal recognition and equal rights. Works Cited Goode, Erich. Deviant Behavior. 9th ed. Karen Hanson, 2011. Print. Minton, H.L. Departing from Deviance: A History of Homosexual Rights and Emancipatory Science in America. USA: University of Chicago Press, 2002. Print. Phelan, J.E., Whitehead, N & Sutton, P.M. “What Research Shows: NARTH’s Response to the APA Claims on Homosexuality.” Journal of Homosexuality, 1 (2009): 1-121. Print. Stanton, G. T & Maier, B. Marriage on Trial: The Case Against Same-sex Marriage and Parenting. Easyread Large Edition: ReadHowYouWant.com, 2010. Print. Read More