Legalizing Gay Marriage - Assignment Example

Pro Same-Sex Marriage The aim of this paper is to provide a discussion in favor ofsame-sex marriage and share my viewpoints with the statics provided by the research work. We will discuss the legal aspects of same-sex marriage and how many people along with the government are in favor of pro same-sex marriage. Furthermore, I will share my views about same-sex marriages and why it should be legalized. This paper will provide different opinions about same-sex marriage, and its legalization and should the rights of gays are equal to heterosexuals. Introduction In today’s society, same-sex marriage is one of the most discussed and controversial topics. A few decades ago couples of the same sex used to hide and not show their intentions and feelings about their relationship with their partners, as it was unacceptable and staunchly rejected by the society at large. Nowadays, couples in favor of same-sex marriage are coming out of hidings boldly to express their feelings and wants their rights to be similar to heterosexuals. Homosexuals want the same rights of getting married and enjoy their life with their partners as heterosexual do and want to legalize their status in the society. Few countries have legalized gay marriages and protect their rights in the society. They respect and consider the legal rights of homosexuals and provide all legal help to support them. It is very unfortunate that many people around the world have a negative opinion about same-sex couples and deny to the rights of same-sex marriage. LGBT which stands for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender, has started a community called LGBT community which emphasize on the diversification of sexuality and identity based on gender. They fight for the rights same-sex marriage and has contributed a lot for legal rights of homosexuals. Background Till 1960’s there was no particular name for same sex couple but as the time gradually passed they became more active and worked for their community; people started recognizing them and called them gays and lesbians. In late 1980’s to early 1990’s an LGBT community was formed which spread their message to the world. With the formation of LGBT Community, same-sex couples found a platform to raise their voices to injustice with which they were dealt and power to fight for their right of performing different tasks in their lives. In 1987, same-sex marriage was largely witnessed by many as the first-mass same-sex wedding ceremony was held in Washington DC. The participants were paired as brides and brides, grooms and grooms, and there were nearly 2,000 of them. It was a significant event for same-sex couples as they were accepted and cheered by their family, friends and community. It was a major break-through in the history of same-sex couples and after this many changes were made in the law of different countries considering for such marriages. In 2001, Netherlands became the world’s first country to legalize marriages of same-sex couples and also provided them with the rights similar to heterosexuals. Same-sex couples were even allowed to adopt children within the country but not from different countries because of objections, as gay marriages are not accepted by many. Main Body Relationships either homosexual or heterosexual are same in many ways, homosexuals also find their partners at college, office bar and social media. The couples involved in same-sex relationships have similar feeling in their relationships; they face ups and downs, experience thrills and fall in love. Having similarities with heterosexuals they should also be allowed to enjoy the same benefits and should have same legal rights. Homosexual couples should be allowed to celebrate in public their commitment just like the way heterosexual do (Richman). Same-sex couples should have the right to marriage and also celebrate their weddings like others. They should have the privilege get married legally and accepted by the society and should be allowed to adopt the child; laws relating to divorces should be applicable for them, and they should not be stopped from the laws of property inheritance and social security pension (McLanahan, Haskins and Donahue). Arguments Same-sex couples provide many arguments relating to the deprivation of laws they have to face, and a few of them will be further discussed. To begin an argument, the first basic law they are deprived with is imposition of the ban on legally marrying. Homosexuals should be allowed to celebrate their weddings as heterosexual couples celebrate it, from the reports of Human Rights Campaign Foundation it is observed that many same-sex couples want a right legally to marry and their relationship should be accepted and honored in society in the greatest manner. Gays and lesbians rightly claim about the deprivation from the benefits the government provides to its citizens, they are deprived of access to family health coverage, inheritance rights, taxation and protection in the case of relationship ending. Due to the denial from such benefits homosexual couples incurs heavy amount of expenses over the lifetime in comparison with the heterosexual couples. A society is likely to have lesser divorce rates in case of gay marriages while the case is different in the opposite marriages (Goodman). From a survey held in US, over a period of years, it is found that in the state of Massachusetts, where gay marriages were legalized before any other state, the rate of divorce reduced to 21-% and the state which strictly prohibited gay marriages, the divorce rate increased by 17.2 %. Gay marriage is not only about being physically in love, but it also has high impact on the psychological health of a person; by imposing a ban on gay marriages can deteriorate psychological health of same-sex couples (Wood, Avellar and Goesling). The so-called traditional marriage of one-man and one woman is historically incorrect as many examples can be presented to support this point; as early as in the ancient Rome there were gay marriages and one of the ancient Indian lords was involved in same-sex marriage, and many more of the examples can be seen in history (Yenor; Squire). Legalizing same-sex marriage will provide no harm to the society; it will not disturb the family values of the heterosexuals, so it should not be banned in the society. If it is considered that the reason to marry is to reproduce than the laws should also be same for the infertile couples. Many arguments have been discussed which are sufficient reason to believes homosexuals are deprived of their rights; being gay is no crime, and same-sex couples should be allowed to get their due rights as they are no harm to the society. Statistics As the issues faced by same-sex couples is alarming and is increasing day by day, their basic right of legalized marriage and other due benefits should be provided to them. They should be treated equally as they are not providing any harm to the society. Many surveys had been carried out which provides interesting results as some countries have legalized gay marriages (Mello). Netherlands was the first country to legalize gay marriages in 2001, and now from the findings of 2014 as many as 15 out of 194 countries have legalized same-sex marriages. These countries include Netherland, Belgium, Canada, Spain, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Argentina, Iceland, Portugal, Denmark, Uruguay, New Zealand, Brazil and France. In countries like Mexico, United Kingdom and United States of America, some jurisdictions have legalized same-sex couples to get married. From the survey which was held on April 2014, it appears that 19 states of America have legalized gay marriage. The first state to legalize same-sex marriage was Massachusetts in 2004 and till now in 10 years 18 more states have accepted gay marriages. It is amazing news that the numbers of divorces have been reduced in the state of Massachusetts, the divorce rate has declined by 21 % between 2003 and 2008 (Corvino and Gallagher). Findings From the above data, it can be concluded that people are accepting gay marriages in the society. The same sex couple marriages are not contributing any harm in the society, in fact from a survey it is reported that after legalization of the homosexual marriages divorce rates have reduced which has positive impacts on the society. Same-sex couples should not be banned from getting married as it is their legal right to get married and shall be given all the equal benefits as heterosexuals. Depriving right of a community is an act against humanity, and it classifies them as an inferior community (Newton). Conclusion From this paper and different researches made from early 1980’s, it has been found that the people involved in same-sex marriage are harmless and are being treated as an inferior part of the society. They are not allowed to get married and are also not provided with many benefits of the society. From the research, it has been found that by legalizing same-sex marriage can lower the divorce rate and an increase in the divorce rate have been surveyed where there is the ban on gay marriages. The LGBT community has provided a platform for same-sex couples to raise their voice against such discrimination and from their hard work now more people support same-sex marriages. A recent research provides exciting results about same-sex marriage that 8 out of 10 young adults are in favor of gay marriages (McCarthy). As same-sex couples are more psychologically attracted and do not cause any damage to the society, it is against human rights to deprive them of benefits, right to marry and celebrate their commitments in the general public. Works Cited Corvino, John and Maggie Gallagher. Debating Same-Sex Marriage. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. Goodmark, Leigh. A Troubled Marriage: Domestic Violence and the Legal System. New York: NYU Press, 2012. McCarthy, Justin. Same-Sex Marriage Support Reaches New High at 55%. 21 May 2014. 18 July 2014. . McLanahan, Sara, Ron Haskins and Elisabeth Donahue. Marriage and Child Wellbeing: Number 2. Princeton, NJ: Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, 2005. Mello, Michael. Legalizing Gay Marriage: Vermont And The National Debate. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Temple University Press, 2008. Newton, David, E. Same-Sex Marriage: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, 2010. Richman, Kimberly, D. License to Wed: What Legal Marriage Means to Same-Sex Couples. New York: NYU Press, 2013. Squire, Susan. I Dont: A Contrarian History of Marriage. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2011. Wood, Robert G, Sarah Avellar and Brian Goesling. The Effects of Marriage on Health: A Synthesis of Recent Research Evidence. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2009. Yenor, Scott. Family Politics: The Idea of Marriage in Political Thought. Waco, TX, USA: Baylor University Press, 2012. Read More