Gay Marriages in the United States - Essay Example

Gay Marriages in the United s Table of Contents I. Introduction ……………………………………………………….. 3 II. Definition of a Matrimonial Contract in the United States ….. 4 III. Issue on Human Rights …………………………………………. 4 IV. Arguments with Regards to Religion, Political Issues and Social Welfare ……………………………………………………. 5 V. Discussion ………………………………………………………… 6 VI. Conclusion …………………………………………………………. 9 References …………………………………………………………………. 11 Introduction Gay marriages or marriages between two people with the same sex have been a very controversial issue within the United States since the early 1970s. The main question that often arises on gay marriages is whether or not it is right to make marriages between the same sex legal or not. Although there are some states in the U.S. that permits, recognize or fighting for a legal matrimonial bonding between the same sex1, there are still a lot of institutions and places throughout the United States that strongly oppose and does not recognize the legality of same sex marriage. This issue aside from many others makes gay marriages a typical subject of debate. In order to determine whether it is best to legalize gay marriages within the United States or not, it is necessary to define the real meaning of matrimonial marriage in the United States aside from examining and analyzing the issue on human rights, the different point-of-views coming from different significant sectors such as religion, politics, and the social welfare as well as the actual experiences of other countries that has already legalized the same sex marriage in the past. By weighing the pros and cons of legalizing gay marriages all over the United States, the researcher will easily make a conclusion as to whether it is necessary to permit gay marriages in the country. Definition of a Matrimonial Contract in the United States Based on the U.S. Code, the true meaning of a traditional marriage is “a legal binding of a man and a woman as husband and wife wherein ‘spouse’ refers to the person of the opposite sex as either the husband or the wife.” (U.S. Code Collection - § 7. Definition of “marriage” and “spouse”, 2008) Similar to the definition provided in the U.S. code, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1603) states that “the vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator.” (Wiker, 2008) Issue on Human Rights ‘Human rights’ are all about the basic rights and freedom of all humans wherein ‘human rights’ is not limited to the freedom of expression and speech but also includes the issue on social rights and justice particularly on gender equality. Most people just believe that equal rights should be for everyone and not a gender-biased. According to Lorri L. Jean (2007) – the chief executive of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, gays and lesbians are also humans who deserve an equal right and treatment from other people. Aside from the basic human needs, gays and lesbians also has the right to decide on whether they want to raise their own family or to enter into a marriage contract with anyone whom they wish to spend their life with. (Jean, 2007) Contrary to Jean’s point-of-view on human rights issue about gay marriage, Ron Prentice (2007) – the chief executive of the California Family Council argues that basic human rights for all does not mean that it has to include the right of homosexual to marry because of the fact that legalizing gay marriages could destroy the historical structure and image of a society wherein the husband and wife should procreate and eventually raise their children at home as father and mother. Arguments with Regards to Religion, Political Issues and Social Welfare When considering the issue on gay marriages, we should be aware that religion has a great influence over the political decisions made by the government officials and the point-of-view of our society. Today, there are millions of Christians who are molding the mentality of the people in the United States in terms of protecting and preserving the ‘sanctity of marriage’ only between a man and a woman. Based on Matthew 19: 4 – 6; “marriage should be between a man and a woman.” Religious people are strongly against the legalization of gay marriages within the United States. Back on February 2004, President George W. Bush declares that “we should prevent any changes in the true meaning of marriage between a man and a woman because it could weaken the good influence of our society.” (You Tube, 2008) However, three days after President Bush’s speech, Jason West – New Paltz Mayor, conducted the first legal marriage in New York arguing that “the law in the United States is gender neutral.” (You Tube, 2008) However, isn’t there any limitations with regards to gender neutrality or equality? Based on the survey that was conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life on gay marriage and civil union, 59% opposed to allow gays and lesbians to be legally married and 51% opposed giving legal arrangements to gay marriages. (The Pew Forum, 2008) Considering that only 32% are in favor of legalizing gay marriage in the United States, the U.S. government should think twice before making any actions on legalizing gay marriage in the country. The survey shows that most of the people who are opposing the gay marriage is because they find it immoral and is not in accordance to the Bible; it is against their religious beliefs; and due to the definition of marriage that it should be conducted between a man and a woman. (Pew Forum, 2008) Although the number of people who are opposing on gay marriages is relatively high, the survey result conducted by Pew Forum (2008) shows that the number of people who are in favor and oppositing gay marriages among the younger generation between the age bracket of 20 – 35 are almost equal. It means that there is still a posibility that eventually gay marriages will be publicly accepted in the United States. Discussion In line with the human rights, we can say that for many years women have fought for their rights to equal justice with men in terms of education and work among others. (Human Rights Watch, 2008) This is also true with the gay population in the United States. Literally, the gay population is not being deprived of their human rights as a person since they are also equally treated within the educational and working environment. However, the issue on marriage is just not the same since it could greatly affect our culture and the society as a whole. I agree with the point-of-view of Prentice (2007) in the sense that gays and lesbians are not really deprived of their rights as human beings in terms of the public acceptance, equal right for education and economic activities. In fact, we have seen universities and work places that are promoting a non-discriminating environment to all people. The fact that more people are now aware of the homosexual existence does not mean that gay marriages is right thing to do and should be legalized in the United States. By legalizing gay marriages in the United States, it wouldn’t be impossible that our next generation would be more encouraged to promote same sex marriages instead of the usual man and a woman marriages. Aside from going against religion, legalizing the gay marriage will eventually result to problems related to procreation. In other words, our country may end up encountering imbalance in the number of population. The same reason was revealed in the survey that was conducted by Pew Forum (2008). Roughly 56% of the respondents declares that gay marriage could undermine the traditional family settings. Another point of argument in line with the traditional family settings is the fact that same sex couples cannot and will never be able to procreate. In case the same sex couple would want to have a child, they would eventually decide to adopt a child. In the case of a lesbian couple, they could either decide to adopt a child or get an unknown sperm donor in order for one of them to give birth to their own child. The problem with this type of family structure is the possibility that the child may not be able to accept the fact that his/her real biological father is unknown. Depending on the degree of the child’s understanding of a real family life, there will always be the possibility that the child may end up developing inferiority complex for not knowing his/her real biological parents or he/she will have the mind frame that gay and lesbian relationship is normal. It is possible for gays and lesbians to be capable of being good parents. However, gay marriage issue is not about questioning whether gays and lesbians can become good parents to their adopted child. Allowing the same sex marriage to be legalize will simply have a great impact over the type of family settings that we are accustomed with. Based on religious context, eventually we will all have to face God during the judgment day. All humans were given the right to choose between what is morally right and wrong. If a man happens to be in love with a man, both parties may be committing a sin because the Bible simple does recognize same sex relationship. In line with this matter, both parties will be held accountable for their own actions. This gives rise to the question as to whether or not it would it also mean that allowing gay marriage to be legally accepted in our country will make our country as a whole accountable for such sin? According to Jason West, “the constitution is not the highest state of the law.” (You Tube, 2008) On the contrary, as far as religious groups are concerned, the words written in the ‘Bible’ are the highest law for all humans. With regards to the constitutional law, some of these laws are purely based on the meaning or definition of ‘marriage’. In most of the current definition of marriage that we have highlights the union between a man and a woman. If we legalize gay marriage, then we also need to change the whole definition of marriage by its context. There is a very big possibility that gay marriage in the United States would eventually be accepted legally. Based on the survey results taken by Pew Forum (2008), the younger generation in America are more open-minded when it comes to the issue about gay marriages. This could be possible in case the gay and the lesbian propaganda will continue to fight for their so-called ‘equal rights for marriage.’ However, this does not mean that a legally accepted gay marriage is righteous in the eyes of many people. Conclusion Personally, I know my sexual orientation as heterosexual. For this reason, I do not understand exactly how gay people feel about the issue on gay marriage because I am certainly not in the situation to experience what they are currently go through right now. In terms of religious belief, I agree that we all should love one another regardless of race, gender or nationality. As far as I am concern, I am not God to end up judging the gay population for their desire to legalize gay marriages in the United States. After all, we are all humans; we all make mistakes. I have personally seen a lot of man and woman marriages wherein the woman is constantly beaten up by the husband. Although this type of marriage is legally accepted worldwide, the fact that the woman does experience physical harm from their spouse also does not make the traditional marriage right. On the contrary, I have also seen same sex couples who are really bounded and committed to each other. In line with religious aspect on gay marriage, I believe that each individual should be given a choice to decide on what they think is right for them. Not because there are millions of Christians in the country means that all Americans should follow one religious belief. Despite some same-sex relationship that works well, there are still a lot of social issues that the American government should consider. Considering that legalizing the same sex marriages could disrupt the entire American society in terms of the culture and traditions that we have long been acquainted with, it would be best for the American government to carefully study the social impact of legalizing gay marriages. In case the government feels like a child under the care of same sex parents could suffer from a possible inferiority complex when they grow up, then the government should include restrictions under the gay marriage contract. *** End *** References: Human Rights Watch. (2008). Retrieved January 11, 2008, from Womens Rights: http://www.hrw.org/women/ Jean, L. L. (2007, June 31). Changing Views on Marriage: The Arc of Justice. Retrieved January 11, 2008, from Los Angeles Times - Opinion: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-op-dustup31jul31,0,6995206.story?coll=la-opinion-center The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. (2008). Retrieved January 11, 2008, from Part 2: Gay Marriage: http://pewforum.org/docs/index.php?DocID=39 U.S. Code Collection - § 7. Definition of “marriage” and “spouse”. (2008). Retrieved January 12, 2008, from Cornell University Law School: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode01/usc_sec_01_00000007----000-.html Wiker, B. D. (2008, January 12). The Meaning of Marriage. Retrieved January 12, 2008, from Holy Interactive: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/columns/guests/benjaminwiker/meaningofmarriage.asp You Tube. (2008). Retrieved January 11, 2008, from Will and Right: Religion Politics and Gay Marriage - FULL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G_hql8uUt8 Read More