Pros of Gay Marriage - Essay Example

Pros of Gay Marriage Gay marriage debate has taken a center stage in the recent past with different people taking differing opinions. Despite the fact that homosexuality has been in existence for as long as the 17th century, it was not openly talked about owing to the stigma associated with gay marriages. In the eyes of the society, gay marriage is seen as an immoral thing that deserves punishment by the government and the society. However, the fact is gay persons are normal human beings only with the only distinguishing factor from straight people being the sexual orientation.

Being gay should not be a basis of discrimination, stigmatization or even denial of human rights of a person. Character of a person determines who he or she is and not his or her sexual orientation. Different arguments have been put forth by opponents of gay or same sex marriages in different parts of the world. Religion is the most used argument by opponents of gay marriages. According to beliefs ascribed by different religions, gay marriage amounts to immorality and sin to the deity. In this light, homosexuality is sin and morally wrong hence requires to be illegalized (Chauncey).

Another argument put forward by opponents of gay marriages is that, marriage is supposed to lead to procreation so as to ensure continuity of life and family, however if same sex marriages were to be legalized, this would lead to a decrease in the number of children being born in the world. Traditionally, marriage has been defined as the union between a man and a woman. Inclusion or legalization of gay marriages would require a re-definition of marriage to include same sex marriages. The same would also be expected or included in the school curriculum forcing teachers to teach homosexuality in schools.

This may lead to confusion concerning gender identity especially in young people (Sprigg). However, when viewed from other perspectives, gay marriage appears to be a natural part of human evolution. As human beings, we have a right to choose whomever to fall in love with as well as our marriage partners. The government or the society has no right to interfere with such right unless such exercise of rights is harmful to the society or leads to a security threat to the country. Gay marriages do not pose any threat to the security of the nation nor the welfare of the society.

By illegalizing gay marriages, the government would be tampering with the human rights of individuals of making decisions concerning marriage institution (Sullivan). The government should protect the human rights of individuals and not curtail them. Gay marriages should be made legal to enhance and ensure that human rights of individuals are upheld (Clifford, Hertz and Doskow). Marriage institution has more function and purposes to fulfill rather than procreation. Marriage is supposed to bring joy and happiness to the couples as well as offering comfort in times of distress.

Children come as a result of marriage and a marriage cannot be nullified simply because no children are born. There are many heterosexual couples today that are married but barren hence cannot procreate. Dismissing gay marriages on the grounds of recreation is thus baseless. Many people wrongly believe that gay person only seek pleasure and cannot form long lasting relationships based on commitment to their partners. This is also not true as there are many cases of gay persons who have lived together as a family for many years.

The debate on gay marriages should be evaluated logically and rationally. All individuals should be given a right to choose their marriage partner and be allowed to enjoy marriage relationships. Therefore, gay marriage should be legalized in all parts of the world, so as to eliminate discrimination of the minority gay community. Works Cited Chauncey, George. Why marriage? The history shaping today's debate over gay equality. Basic Books, 2004. Clifford, Denis, Hertz, Frederick & Doskow, Emily.

A legal guide for lesbian and gay couples. Nolo, 2007. Sprigg, Peter. Outrage: how gay activists and liberal judges are trashing democracy to redefine marriage. Regnery, 2004. Sullivan, Andrew. Same-sex marriage, pro and con: a reader. Vintage Books, 1997.