The same-sex relationships have existed as long as the humanity did and have been documented thousands of years ago. They have not been seen unnatural in many cultures and religions, while being banned in others. The Western civilization’s prevalent religion has been Christianity for almost two thousand years, and it condemned homosexuality as a sinful act. However, the democratization of the countries and separation of church from the government have marked a turning point for the reformation of many institutions of the civil society. Nowadays, the problem of the same-sex marriage bans is an extremely hot topic, as people are becoming increasing open about their sexuality and sexual orientation. Homosexual relationships are no longer a taboo, as homosexuality is considered as normal as heterosexuality and bisexuality. However, the obsolete bans on the same-sex marriages are still spoiling the life of the otherwise happy and loving couples, who want to have the same rights, freedoms and protection as heterosexual couples, just like interracial marriages were illegal until a decision by the Supreme Court 1967, although people of all races have long been considered equal ("Gay Marriage Pros and Cons"). If America is indeed a land of the free, where people of all races, genders, ages, ethnicities and nationalities are considered equal, especially in their right to pursue happiness, then people should not be subject to discrimination and stripped off various benefits based on their sexual orientation.
Nowadays, same-sex marriages are already legalized in 32 states, with the most recent changes having happened since October 17, 2014, when Attorney General Eric Holder announced that “federal legal recognition of same-sex marriages extends to Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin,” the Supreme Court rejected Alaska’s request to delay the court ruling regarding the state’s ban on the same-sex marriage, and the federal judge ruled that the institution is legal in Wyoming since October 23 ("Same-Sex Marriage Fast Facts"). These facts are supported by the 2013 Gallup poll, according to which 53% of Americans are for the same-sex marriage.
There are many arguments against the same-sex marriages, including the fear that their legalization will lead to further legalization of polygamy and unnatural relationships and the destruction of the heterosexual marriage as the institution that supports the society in the Western civilization. Other argument claims that homosexuality is unnatural, sinful and rots the society. Some say that gay marriages will eventually lead to the increase of the already high divorce rates, while others defend their position by saying that children raised by the same-sex couples might grow up with mental disorders and social maladaptation. There are many other arguments that belong to the realm of personal opinion; however, people should not suffer and be deprived of the rights and protections based on one’s personal opinion, as it happened during the racist part of the American history. It is the government’s responsibility to take the matter in its hands and protect its citizens on the basis of the Constitution and legislation, as currently there is a big cluster of Americans, who are subject to the “denial of Social Security benefits to surviving spouses; denial of medical leave to care for a spouse; denial of healthcare benefits; unfair taxation for employee health benefits for spouses; denial of benefits to spouses of armed services veterans” and other benefits that are presented for the couples entering the heterosexual marriage (Carey).
Marriage has long transitioned from a religious rite to the secular civil contract between to people. Constitutionally, the United States is a secular country, where people are free to practice any religion they choose, and according to Nancy Cott’s statement in regards to the Perry v. Schwarzenegger case, it is the civil law that governs the institution of marriage, while the religious leaders can perform certain ceremonies due to the state’s permission ("Gay Marriage Pros and Cons"). Thus, any marriage, including the gay marriage, cannot be legally denied on the religious grounds, especially that Christianity and other religions banning it are not the official religions of the secular America. Moreover, the sinfulness of the act is also based on the grounds of the most popular religions, while not all people are supporting them or any religion at all. The civil society is primarily guided by law, moral rules and humanity, instead of one’s religious views.
Gay marriages cannot undermine the institution of marriage, because homosexual relationships and polygamy have existed for centuries, and the traditional heterosexual marriage has never been a pillar of the civil society, especially given the current divorce rate of about 50%; moreover, the divorce rate in Massachusetts, the first state to legalize same-sex marriages, has dropped by 21% during 5 years after legalizing gay marriages. Moreover, homosexual couples that already struggle for their rights and social protections, are less likely to thoughtlessly marry and quickly divorce, as couples usually do in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As any other marriage that is based on love, gay marriages can provide the same love and protection to children raised in them. Loving and supporting gay couples can become great parents just like heterosexual couples, while unloving and abusing heterosexual couples are just as much dangerous for a child, as the gay couples with the same problems. If gay marriage is legalized, and gay spouses are given equal chance to raise a child, many children currently in the foster care can be given a happy childhood full of care and love. At the same time those, who claim that marriage is a right for those, who can reproduce, the right to marriage should be also denied to the infertile people.
Marriage is a normal consequence of the loving relationship between people, and feelings are central to the institution. While many heterosexual people in abusive relationship marry and sometime later divorce, many loving gay couples that want to officially seal the deal, are not afforded such opportunity due to the disagreement mainly from the heterosexual part of the society that is not even being affected. As gay people are forced to stay unmarried, and social pressure cannot make them “change their mind” and marry the opposite-sex partner, the heterosexual couples, to whom people are more used to, can enjoy the benefits that the legislation of this country, composed based on the traditional Christian value, provides to them. However, the secularization of the country from religion will inevitably lead to the legalization of the institution, as an increasing number of children of the new generation grow up aware of the issue and the struggles of the gay people around, who do not fear to come out anymore.
Works Cited
Carey, Rea. "Americans Want Fairness for Gay Couples." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 7 Oct. 2011. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. <http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/should-gay-marriage-be-legal-nationwide/americans-want-fairness-for-gay-couples>.
"Gay Marriage Pros and Cons." ProCon.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. <http://gaymarriage.procon.org/>.
"Same-Sex Marriage Fast Facts." CNN. Cable News Network, 18 Oct. 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. <http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/28/us/same-sex-marriage-fast-facts/>.
