Introduction
Marriages have always had controversial issues since time immemorial. Among the latest controversial issue is the marriage of homosexuals. Debate ranges on about whether homosexuals should be able to marry. Traditionally, marriage has been a sacred union between a male and female for the sole purpose of creating a family. However, times have changed and people have a completely different view on the institution of marriage. With introduction of various laws that support the rights of minority groups such as homosexuals, it is common to find same sex unions in several countries. “There is more freedom in most countries and people discuss the issue of homosexual marriages openly” (Michael, 2004, p.76). It is common to find televisions holding shows that openly discuss homosexuality. Gay couples attend interviews where they openly discuss their relationship without fear because people have accepted them, and there are laws that protect their rights. On the contrary, other people believe that homosexual unions are against social norms and contradict religious beliefs. However, homosexuals should be able to marry because it is no longer a taboo in the contemporary society and various legislations support these unions. Therefore, homosexuals are there in the society and if allowed to marry, will bring a more unified society.
Argument
Homosexuals should be able to marry because they will assist in promoting a more unified society. Most nations have laws that promote the equality of everyone in the country and have rights that advocate for liberty and pursuit of happiness. Thus, allowing homosexuals to marry would mean that a country is truly allowing every citizen to pursue their happiness as stated in the country’s legislation (Ojalvo, 2009). Additionally, no one has the right to tell someone what he or she should or should not do. Since everyone is equal, the government does not have the right to control an individual’s love life. Homosexuals are not different from the heterosexuals except that they choose to love people of the same sex. Therefore, if homosexuals were able to marry, then there would be more unity in a nation since there is no discrimination.
Most contemporary societies have embraced homosexuality and it is no longer considered a taboo. It is common to find televisions hosting shows that openly discuss homosexuality and interview homosexual couples. Homosexuality no longer contradicts social norms as homosexuals openly express their love towards each other. “Homosexuals behave just like other normal people in the society as they attend school, have steady jobs, and own homes and cars just like everyone else” (Andrew, 2004, p.89). In addition, homosexuals also vote for the government that they want to serve them. Thus, if homosexuality were against socials norms, then there would be no civil rights for other groups such as women or children. In order for culture to survive, it must evolve and change with time. Therefore, culture has evolved and it supports homosexuality and advocates for same sex marriages.
Several countries have adopted laws protecting homosexuals and supporting same sex marriages. Not only does the government support homosexual marriages, but also some churches are among recent groups to support same sex marriages. People have witnessed religious leaders of some churches uniting couples of the same sex in marriage. The reason for this union is that legislation supports these unions. Therefore, there is no reason for not uniting same sex couples. In addition, homosexual couples love just like heterosexual couples love. Proponents for same sex marriage even argue that some homosexual couples love more than heterosexuals do (Baird & Rosenbaum, 2004).
A married heterosexual couple may oppose same sex marriage for whatever reason, but most oppose this union based on religion. However, if a homosexual couple decides to marry, this marriage does not affect the quality of the marriage between the heterosexual couple (Michael, 2004). According to religious beliefs, God may not advocate for same sex marriage, but if homosexuals decide to marry, God will not view the relationship between other heterosexual couples any less. The fact that some gay people love each other and decide to marry will not affect the lives and marriages of other heterosexual couples. Homosexuals have their own lives and it is up to them on whatever they decide to do. Therefore, homosexuals should be able to marry because their union will not affect other straight couples in any way.
Homosexuals should be able to marry because they too are human beings and are entitled to the same rights as other straight people. The fact that homosexuals are a minority group is a reason not to violate their rights. Most nations advocate for the rights of marginalized groups in the society such as women, children, people with disabilities, and refugees among others. Therefore, since homosexuals are also a minority group, the government and other human rights agencies should support them. They should be able to marry because they are equal to other human beings and they have the same rights. Additionally, as minority groups, no one should violate their rights including the right to marry. People should realize that the definition of marriage has been extended to include homosexuals and that same sex marriages are here to stay (Baird & Rosenbaum, 2004). With countries such as Germany, South Africa, Canada and Sweden embracing same sex marriage, then it is evident that people are accepting these marriages and thus, homosexuals should be able to marry.
Counter thesis and counter argument
The major difference between homosexual marriages and heterosexual relationships is the fact that heterosexuals can produce their own children. On the contrary, homosexual couples often adopt children to have a complete family. Homosexual parents may raise, in the end, the adopted children as homosexuals because of the environment in which they grow (Ojalvo, 2009). Therefore, homosexuals should not be able to marry because their relationship is not natural and in case the gay parents adopt children; these children will eventually become homosexuals.
Heterosexual marriages have been in existence for a long time and thus, they are considered natural socials norms. It is from heterosexual marriages that people produce children. On the contrary, people of the same sex cannot bear children because it is not normal. Therefore, encouraging same sex marriages will be against social norms since these couple will not be able to bear children. In the end, the older generation will be dominant in the society because there are no new babies born. People will adopt children and that trend may continue until there are no more children to adopt. Therefore, homosexuals should not be able to marry because those relationships will be unable to bear children.
In case homosexuals marry and adopt children, these children may become gay eventually. Children tend to copy the behavior of their parents. Therefore, if children find that their parents are gay, they will view that relationship as normal and eventually become gay (Andrew, 2004). In the end, the society will comprise of homosexual couples that cannot bear children. Therefore, to avoid such a situation, homosexuals should not be able to marry.
“Marriage is a sacred union and originally it has been a union between a man and woman” (Baird & Rosenbaum, 2004, p. 212). Therefore, allowing homosexuals to marry will be violating the sacred institution of marriage in God’s eyes. Straight marriages will become less meaningful if homosexuals are able to marry. Allowing homosexuals to marry will open doors for people to practice all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even decide to marry pets because they support that union with legislation. Therefore, legalizing gay marriages and allowing homosexual couples to marry will create room for recognition of other unions including polygamy, incest and even bestiality.
Response to counter thesis
People have the freedom of expression and therefore, whatever one chooses to do with their life is entirely up to them. Therefore, if someone chooses to be a homosexual, that is his or her decision and no one should prevent that person from marrying another homosexual (Michael, 2004). Homosexuals are a minority group and therefore they cannot dominate a nation. If they choose to marry and adopt children that decision does not mean that, they will continue adopting children and deny other straight marriages their rights.
If homosexuals marry, they may adopt children in order to have a complete family. Children may not have the ability to make sound judgments at very young ages and thus, they will not understand the relationship between their parents. However, when these children grow older, they will have the ability to choose between right and wrong. If they decide to become homosexuals, that is their decision and not their parents. Therefore, homosexuals should be able to marry because they will not influence any decision that their adopted children may take.
The contemporary society has changed and most people consider homosexual unions as sacred. It is natural to find laws that advocate for the rights of same sex marriages and some churches conducting marriages between homosexuals. Therefore, even though heterosexual relationships have been in existence for a long time, currently things have changed and homosexual relationships are now common in most countries (Andrew, 2004). The media has been on the forefront in campaigning for the rights of homosexuals by hosting shows on televisions and radios that openly discuss homosexuality. Additionally, people have won cases in courts of law yet they are homosexuals. Some contemporary churches and governments openly allow homosexuals in their countries. Therefore, social norms have changed and the definition of marriage broadened to include same sex marriages.
Conclusion
With the current legislation supporting same sex marriages in some countries, it is clear that homosexuals are here to stay. Therefore, these people should be able to marry because that is part of their rights. Society has currently accepted homosexuals as part of other human beings. People discuss issues relating to homosexuals openly and this has led the homosexuals to declare their relationship outwardly without fear of prosecution. Heterosexual couples have discovered that they have nothing to lose by accepting homosexual marriages, not even their religious beliefs. It is no longer a taboo for people to be in a same sexual relationship. Since homosexuals are there in our society and the group is growing, it is only fair to recognize them and allow them to marry.
References
Andrew, S. (2004). Same-sex marriage: Pro and con. New York: Knopf Publishing Group.
Baird, R.M. & Rosenbaum, S.E. (2004). Same-sex marriage: The moral and legal debate.
New York: Prometheus Books.
Michael, M. (2004). Legalizing gay marriage. Pennsylvania: Temple University Press.
Ojalvo, H.E. (November, 5, 2009). Should gay couples be allowed to marry? The New York
Times.
