Introduction
Gay marriages have been a controversial issue in the recent past. Quite interestingly, it has received mixed reactions from different people of different nations, religions, and cultures. It is essentially a marriage between individuals of the same sex (ProCon.org, 2016). This is a contradiction of many religious and cultural beliefs since traditionally, marriage is meant to be between people of different genders. On the contrary, times have changed, and people have been brought up under different circumstances. Some people have an attraction towards people of the same sex, and this has led to same-sex marriages. The differences in opinions are what have led to the controversies and debates. In some states in the US, gay marriages are legal while in some countries it is illegal (ProCon.org, 2016). The interesting part is that the gay society is slowly creeping into the values and customs of the society and is slowly taking over. In essence, sooner than later, gay marriages will be legal in almost all countries if not all because this way of life is slowly being accepted. The question that remains is that is gay marriages a good thing or a bad thing. In this case, the argument is based on how gay marriages are not bad after all.
History
The idea or notion of gay marriages has changed over time. In the past, gay marriages had been viewed as nurture, in that a person who turned out to be gay was due to the kind of upbringing they got or the environmental factors that surrounded this individual. However, this aspect has significantly changed, and it is viewed as a fallacy in the current times since today, being gay/lesbian or getting into the same-sex marriage is taken as a choice or an acquired trait. In addition, it is seen as a person’s nature (Hodgman, 2015). Although the idea of nature versus nurture is debatable, it is quite evident that the notion has significantly changed over the years.
Same sex marriages date back to the 1970s; they have ranged from unsanctioned, informal and temporary relationships. They have slowly become accepted over the years. Ancient Greece, ancient Mesopotamia, some parts of China and Rome were mostly known for gay marriages (ProCon.org, 2014). They were mostly brought out in the religious context like the Almanac of Incantation that widely accepted the love of a man and a woman and the love of a man and a man. In the Chinese society, females would bind themselves to fellow women in religious contracts or elaborate ceremonies. In Sparta, the same concept of same-sex marriage was also witnessed, the only difference being that at that time the relationship was between adult males and younger males (Hodgman, 2015). In addition, the relationship had a primary aim of extending the military training of the male youths and it was under the consent of the boy’s father. Since the relationship was eternal, profound feelings were likely to crop up. This relationship was considered a marriage by contemporary culture. In essence, amongst the Spartans, it was seen as a mentoring kind of relationship.
Amongst the Romans, Nero was the first Roman Emperor to get into a gay marriage. He got into three marriages, but the most known one was when he got married to Pythagoras (ProCon.org, 2014). Later, same-sex marriages were outlawed in 342 AD by Christian emperors: Constans and Constatius II (Hodgman, 2015). This shows that the Church has been against gay marriages since the ancient times. This is mainly because it has always stood for the same reason, that marriage is meant for the primary aim of procreation as opposed to the opinions in the current day and age; that marriage is mainly, meant for companionship and not procreation. In addition, it is opposed because it contradicts the biblical perspective of marriage.
Despite the church’s opposition towards same-sex marriages, it is also evident that there was some form of acceptance in the past towards gay marriages. In the medieval times in France, it was possible to have marriages between unrelated individuals of the same sex provided they pledged to live as one, in sharing one bread, wine and one purse (ProCon.org, 2014). This is seen to be one of the earliest sanctions of gay marriages. In the 5th century, marriage became part of the Catholic Church’s seven sacraments. At this time in Spain, there was a marriage between Pedro Díaz and Muño Vandilaz, who were married in a chapel by a priest, despite the opposition of the church towards same-sex marriages (Hodgman, 2015).
Other than looking at the religious history of gay marriages, there is also its legal aspect. In the 19th century, issues concerning homosexuality were rarely discussed. In essence, it was considered absurd, and no one spoke of it, as opposed to the current times where it is the central matter of discussion. Several states, especially in the United States, banned same-sex marriages. In 1975, the ban was enacted in Virginia and Florida. Wyoming and California followed in 1977 (ProCon.org, 2014). In the 1980s, there was the rise of activists who campaigned for the legalization of gay marriages. They are believed to have been the radical origins of gay rights movements. By 1993, the radicalization had gained ground where an unusual move was taken by about 1500 couples in Washington DC in the gay rights march, where they held a mass gay wedding ceremony. This was a call for rights to the gay and lesbian community. Another matter that also attracted national attention was the Hawaii case of Baehr and Mike, though it later resulted in the citizens, voting for the legislature to ban gay marriages. The same trend was also seen in Alaska, where marriage was only meant to take place between a man and a woman (Hodgman, 2015).
As aforementioned, despite the opposition by the legal institutions, gay acceptance has slowly grown over the years. In 2012, a constitutional amendment of banning gay marriages was approved. In that year at around November, it was quite a caprice that there was legalization of same-sex marriages through popular votes from Washington, Maryland and Maine. The same effect was slowly felt in New Jersey where citizens were also accorded equal marriage rights. They were also issued with marriage licenses (ProCon.org, 2014). In 2013, Utah followed suit, and in 2013, Pennsylvania and Louisiana made approvals that banning same-sex marriages was unconstitutional (Hodgman, 2015). The rate of legalization has slowly increased and it is quite evident that the gay rights liberalization movements especially in the US have done a splendid job because were it not for their radical efforts, these effects would not have been seen and the gay community would still be seen as an absurd group of people.
Supreme Court Ruling
As stated earlier the gay rights liberalization movements have been very radical at ensuring that marriage rights have been granted to people of the same sex. It is vital to note that indeed, the right has been given to all people who want to take part in same sex marriages. This was made possible by the Supreme Court ruling on April 28, 2015: Obergefell v. Hodges Case ("Gay Marriage in the US Supreme Court”, 2015). Essentially, this case was comprised of six lawsuits from four states: Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky. The issue of concern, in this case, was whether the US constitutional process and the equal rights protection clauses allowed same sex marriages. In addition, another issue of concern was whether other states apart for the four that brought the case forth, were constitutionally bound to recognize same sex marriages.
The case was brought forth because more than 40 states and federal courts had banned same-sex marriages ("Gay Marriage in the US Supreme Court”, 2015). The root source was a couple: Jim Obergefell who sued his state, since he wanted the state to acknowledge their marriage on his partner’s (John Arthur) death certificate, since he was dying of ALS. The main reason why he sued his state is that Arthur passed away and the marriage was not recognized in his death certificate, since same-sex marriages were illegal in Ohio. Jim went ahead and requested for an appeal for his case, which was successful. The main defendant in the case was Richard Hodges, hence the name of this legendary case.
This was indeed a controversial case because four days before the main hearing of the case, activists who were for gay marriages and those who were against it camped outside the court so as to secure a seat and get a glimpse of the proceedings ("Gay Marriage in the US Supreme Court”, 2015). The case received mixed reactions from the citizens of the United States. The court case lasted two and a half hours, and it was quite evident that the court was indeed divided regarding opinion. The main argument was that same-sex couple was not allowed to adopt but consequently, if the marriage were legalized, then more couples would come out and adopt.
Finally the court ruled that it was evident that the marriage was indeed a constitutional right under the 14th amendments, and it was therefore illegal to deny any couple whether same-sex or otherwise the fundamental right of marriage. The court also ruled that despite the right being granted to same-sex couples, they should also be issued with licenses, just like any other marriage. Regarding the second issue of concern brought forth to the court, the ruling also stated that the court should legalize these unions in all the 50 states ("Gay Marriage in the US Supreme Court”, 2015).
Statistics
Currently, approximately one in every hundred Americans is a Lesbian and two in every hundred men is a homosexual. It is also evident that legalization of same-sex marriages has also shown an increasing trend in acceptance in the community. 2.2% of the American population is gay, while 1.1% of the American population is composed of lesbians (Facts, 2016). More interestingly as opposed to the past when a larger population was opposed to same-sex marriages,, 63% of the America population is currently comfortable with the same-sex marriages (Facts, 2016). In the religious aspect, 58% of the Catholics in the US are supportive of gay marriages, and 64% of Protestants are of same-sex marriages (Masci & Motel, 2015). 33% of Republicans support same-sex marriages while 61% of Democrats are also supportive of these marriages (Masci & Motel, 2015).
In essence, there has been an upward trend to the acceptance of gay marriages in the current times. Overall, this acceptance has been fostered by a number of factors. Generally, it has received an upward trend because it is not as bad as people in the past had viewed it. It is vital to accept change, precisely generational change in this case that has caused an increased trend towards the supportive nature of people towards marriages of individuals of the same gender.
The increased trend has been caused by some factors that affect our lives today ("Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage", 2016). Firstly, the better part of the population today has become educated. Consequently, it is evident that education is a liberalization strategy to a certain extent. Therefore, it has enabled a larger percentage of the current generation to accept the gay notion.
The increased trends can also be attested to the generational changes. The lifestyle of individuals has changed in the current world since the society has become more accommodating to the notion of same-sex marriages ("Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage", 2016). In essence, currently, people have become verbal about the gays notion. Currently it is also seen as a political debate in various platforms. This is quite different from the past where same-sex marriage was unheard of. It is therefore evident that generational change has considerably contributed to the acceptance of gay marriages today.
The media has also played a paramount role in making gay social media platforms more acceptable to the society. Today, there are social media platforms that have changed the opinion of society or rather the thinking of society to viewing same-sex relationships and marriages as a regular thing ("Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage", 2016). In addition, there are newspapers, books, music, and movies that have enabled the community to see that the notion of same-sex marriages is as usual as others marriages.
Another factor that has caused more acceptance to gay marriages today is that the sacrosanct aspect has slowly been watered down by the emerging trends in the society ("Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage", 2016). In the past, religion was highly upheld and the customs of the people were taken very seriously. Today, modernization has reduced the seriousness towards religion. Therefore, it has been watered down. Therefore, even the strong religious individuals have become supportive to gay marriages.
Advantages of Gay Marriages
Gay marriages are more successful since in this case; both partners have equal rights and responsibilities ("Growing Support for Gay Marriage", 2013), as opposed to the usual kind of marriage where the man is accorded more responsibilities than the wife is. Should there be conflicts of interest where the woman may want to take up more responsibilities than is accorded to her, problems are likely to arise. Therefore, gay marriages are better due to the equal rights that both partners have. Also through this aspect, they can also be viewed as a way of promoting equal right in the society since, in this kind of marriage; both partners have same right and responsibilities.
Just as racial integration, gay marriages have absolutely no effect to the heterosexual community, it does not affect any other person in the society. Hence, there is no absolute reason as to why it should not be made legal ("Growing Support for Gay Marriage", 2013). Gay marriages and relationships reduce the rate of unplanned pregnancies by the youth and reduce the rate of abortions, especially in marriage. It also decreases the misuse of emergency contraceptives by young women ("Growing Support for Gay Marriage", 2013). In addition, it has decreased the rate of divorces in the percentage of married people in the country because firstly, gay marriages last longer due to equal rights as aforementioned. Also, by the time gay people decide to get married, it is a quite serious step as opposed to heterosexual marriage today, where divorce is quite common since the institution of marriage has been watered down.
The idea of legalizing Gay marriages has reduced the rate of suicide by the youth ("Growing Support for Gay Marriage", 2013). This is because they are less bullied since they are sexually different. They are seen as ordinary people and accepted in the society and their institutions of learning. It is also evident that gay marriages have played a prominent role for citizens who are not of the US origin; in essence, both gay marriages and different-sex marriages have been accorded the same right of immigration through marriage. Therefore, gay couples who are dating outside the country can now comfortably and legally stay with their partners ("Growing Support for Gay Marriage", 2013).
Another important aspect of gay marriages is that it has increased the rate of adoption ("Growing Support for Gay Marriage", 2013). It is obvious that individuals in same-sex marriages cannot beget an offspring, since the main aim of these kinds of marriages is for companionship and not for procreation. Therefore, they opt to adopt kids. This has therefore increased the rate of successful adoptions, and more children get a home to stay and experience the love and care of supportive parents. Gay marriages are also relevant to those countries that have a large population. In this case, the population is not likely to increase. Hence, such countries significantly advocate for gay marriages. It helps such countries cater for a substantial number of individuals thereby managing their population quite well.
Disadvantages of Gay Marriages
Despite the advantages drawn by gay marriages, it is evident that nothing is perfect. Hence, they are likely to have some drawbacks (FindLaw, 2016). It is obvious that people in a gay marriage cannot get children from their union. Therefore, they cannot get the joy of parenting their own kids like in heterosexual marriages. It is also quite evident that gay parents do not make the best parents. This is because their children get to grow in an environment that is dominated by same sex notions; therefore, they grow up knowing that such marriages are what are supposed to be (FindLaw, 2016. In addition, they tend to be bullied and stereotyped in school since they come from families with same-sex parents.
As much as it is evident that same-sex marriage is a typical aspect of the society, it is also apparent that this trend has not been fully accepted in the society and therefore same-sex marriages are likely to face some degree of being stereotyped in the society (FindLaw, 2016). In this case, it is also vital to note that gay marriages are against the intended purpose of marriage as it is stipulated in various religious books such as the Bible. In essence, it goes against the Christian beliefs of the marriage institution. In the Bible, God intended that marriage would be for procreation so that Adam and Eve would fill the earth. Over the years, marriage has become more for companionship and not procreation (FindLaw, 2016). Leviticus 20:13 states that "The penalty for homosexual acts is death to both parties. They have brought it upon themselves."
Summary
In conclusion, gay marriages are not a notion that started recently, but something that started many years ago. It has been accorded great acceptance over the years and despite the opposition it has received, the essay has provided substantial evidence showing that many advantages can be drawn from gay marriages. It is, however, vital to accept the notion of same-sex marriages as a reasonable concept and most importantly accepting the people who have chosen this way of life. It is unfair to discriminate their different choices. Overall, gay marriages are not as bad as people view them to be.
References
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