Gay Rights - Research Paper Example

Gay Rights Gay Rights is a much debated topic across the globe owing to different opinions of people belonging to other communities and their remarks that have been antagonistic in most occasions. Whether it is a live in relationship between people of same sex or marriage between them, it has faced infinite challenges from several quarters. According to fundamentalists and orthodox institutions, homosexuality intervenes with the conventions of the piousness of marriage and also states that it would create anarchy in the society. Anita Bryant, the national spokesperson of Florida Citrus Commission and also widely known for her best selling pop albums had lent a strong voice against gay activism and protested by stating that the prevalence of this movement was seriously hampering her basic right as a mother and creating impediments in the “moral atmosphere” that is considered right for the children (Gillian 127). There are enormous reasons for several divisions of opinion among people regarding same sex marriage although they have not been placed with substantiated doctrines or principles that would suffice the purpose of abandoning such marriages. A majority of anti gay activists have not been able to cite any other reason than the principles of the Holy Bible and their perceptions have centered on the fact that same sex marriage challenges the order of God, which is being counter challenged by the gay people who have repeatedly stated that those who have put forth their opinions may not be fit or able-bodied for defying the rights of homosexuals. As a matter of fact, such decisions must be taken by those who are able to envisage gay rights with reason and common sense according to the gay rights activists. On the other hand, the research studies of Regenurus took a different path than the previous studies conducted on same sex marriages. This research was based on a sample of young American adults and compared with a group that was biologically intact. The parameters that were intended to be measured through this research included crime rates, tendency of sexually transmitted infections and drug addiction. The result of this study was quite disappointing as most of the young adults whose fathers were involved in same sex relationship were more likely to take drugs than others. The girls with lesbian mothers were four times more prone to thrive on public help than the children of normal biological parents or even single mothers (Ponnuru 29). Despite the studies that reveal such thwarting reports, gay activists have continued to portray their rights across the globe in different regions and pockets. The question of whether gay rights should be considered with empathy or not is certainly not one of the hottest issues that is being battled by gay rights activists; rather the question is whether the counter arguments are really significant or not. The opponents of gay rights argue that the children cannot be deprived of their basic rights to know their biological parents. In case of gays or homosexuals producing children, they cease to have their father or mother that undoubtedly makes them lousy and reckless. According to the opinion of New Natural Lawyers, the same sex marriage is not structurally correct whereas marriages between two different races are normal. Thus, the differences lie in perceptions rather than the verity of the fact whether gay marriages should be legalized or not. In most cases, the debate surrounds on pieces of evidences rather than consolidated facts. As NNL further goes on to say that gay marriages are illusive particularly because of the sexual intentions that are often the primary notion of the couples. Does that not happen in heterosexual relationships, as well? It is not always correct to say that the maxims and aphorisms about values in relationships are not relevant in this context as asserted by NNL that gay marriages may lead to unhappiness owing to unfulfilled sexual relationships although the same cannot be said as convincing and compelling in every respect (Johnston 290-91). While it is difficult to find a specific answer to the question of legalizing gay marriage, the common concerns are related to productive relationships between men and women that lead to production of children, which is considered justifiable and people are concerned about the well being and benefit of those children who are also considered as the basic building blocks of the societal structure. Another important reason for anti gay activists to speak against the legalization of gay marriages is that there is no munificence or goodwill associated with the rights of the gay besides their own fulfillment whereas the level of compassion and generosity is much higher in heterosexual relationships. However, the modern day norms about relationships have changed the face of this society. Thus it can be said without doubt that the studies conducted by Regenerus helps in enhancing the cases against same sex marriages in which the judges have found that there are no premises that can declare that marriage between the people of same sex can be declared as legal or mandatory (Ponnuru 30). A glimpse at the American history of gay rights clearly reveal that there are people of same sex who have been subjected to deliberate discrimination owing to the presence of laws that tend to restrict the people of same sex for disclosing their married relationships. The former President of America, George W. Bush had tried to bring the law into implementation that banned same sex marriages. In fact, America has not been the only nation that intended to ban homosexuals; Adolf Hitler, the Former Chancellor of Germany believed that homosexuals are a direct threat to morality and the young generation of a nation. Besides this, there are vague and imprecise ideas about the existence of the traits of homosexuality. Is homosexuality a congenital trait or is it a lifestyle? According to a few therapists, it has been observed that homosexuals can be converted into heterosexuals although it is unformulated still (Hudson 9-12). Most of the arguments that are against gay rights focus on specific and mundane grounds such as the legality of heterosexual relationships, children, society and religion; therefore, the activities of homosexuals are considered illegal from this perspective. In short, gay rights are not legal because they are against the societal norms (Johnston 288-89). According to the argument of NNL, homosexuals also defy the principles of bodily union, which is essentially heterosexual. Moreover, marriage is a respectable and moral institution that cannot be questioned by anyone; thus, couples of same sex deliberately resist and flout the morality of marriage and sexual intercourse (Johnston, 294). The demands of gay right activists are not much, but obtaining similar status as that of heterosexuals that will challenge the meaning of marriage as levied by the church. However, there is no dearth of citizens who tend to disagree with the homosexual life, but they agree over the fact that there can and must be some civil rights allotted to the homosexuals or they should be protected by law (Andryaszewski 10-11). The issue of their marriage is extremely controversial. It is certainly unjust to encourage the development of disparity with a homosexual in workplace or even at home; unfortunately there are many obstructions and counter arguments in this respect until now. Gays have been left out of the scope of legal opportunities in different aspects of life such as non-coverage under the Civil Rights protection. Thus, they have the disadvantage of seeking help in case of violence or disparities as normal citizens do. Additionally, they may not even have access to facilities such as housing and jobs simply because they cannot take legal recourse. However, it has been stated that instead of dealing with the harshness of the anti gay laws, it is wise enough to remove the causes that lead to antagonistic feelings towards this community (Rimmerman, Wald and Wilcox 11-15). Among all these differences, the victory of the gays include in abolishing homosexuality as a disease as it was initially interpreted by American Psychiatric Association. During the present times, it is believed that homosexuality is an unchanged trait that is usually present from the childhood, but clearly manifested at a later age (Andryazewski 15). The subject of gay rights is arguably one of the most complicated perhaps even more than the societal destruction that is gradually eating away the goodness of human beings. Although there are myriad shades of arguments and disagreements about legalization of gay marriages and acceptance of their relationship in this society, the truth is that it is not likely to change soon. The Revolution and Gay Activism began from a long time and continuing until today although it has taken different shapes with the passing phase of time. As far as same sex marriages are concerned, the consequences are yet to be ascertained as to what shape it will assume if it is changed into a law not because it challenges the purity of the institution of marriage. The homosexuals will probably continue their fight in time to come in order to establish their demands and try taking themselves above the sardonic eyes of the non gay activists and the government machinery. References Andryazewski Tricia, Same Sex Marriage: Moral Wrong or Civil Right, NY: Twenty First Century Books, 2008 Gillian Frank, “The Civil Rights of Parents”: Race and Conservative Politics in Anita Bryant’s Campaign Against Gay Rights in 1970 Florida, Journal of the History of Sexuality, (2013) 22.1, April 13, 2014 from: http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&sid=bff35ae5-3d0d-4f7b-8da1-0aa415a22a6d%40sessionmgr198&hid=123 Hudson L. Davidson, Point Counterpoint: Gay Rights, NY: Chelsea House, 2005, Print. Johnston Rebekah, Marriage and Metaphysics of Bodily Union: Framing the Same Sex Marriage Debate, Social Theory and Practice, (2013) 39.2, USA. Retrieved from .http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=019292e9-16a4-4930-8333-6e9e8ff2676e%40sessionmgr4001&vid=4&hid=4206 Ponnuru Ramesh, Sex and the Social Scientist, National Review, (2012) 64.13, USA. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=5cabd0f8-e22a-4e55-b12b-496a4357695a%40sessionmgr198&vid=6&hid=123 Rimmerman A. Craig., Wald D. Kenneth. and Wilcox Clyde, The Politics of Gay Rights, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000, Print. Read More