The debate on same sex marriage has been going on in the recent past. Various countries from almost all over the world have recently had some issues on the same case. As many states in the Unites States of America decriminalize sex same relationships and paving way for same sex marriage (Foxnews, October 06, 2014), there are others that pass laws abolishing all forms of same sex activity with severe punitive measures such as Uganda. Does the same-sex lover have the freedom to engage in what makes them happy? Do same sex marriages affect the society negatively?
According to Aristotle, human beings are rational, and they exercise such rationality in the society to bring out success in what they do. From this perspective, the same sex couples have the right to uphold such rational decision. The fundamental rights of the humans to seek happiness are violated by illegalizing same sex marriage. The concept of marriage limiting it to man and women has since changed. The norms, traditions, and ethical aspect of any society evolve. Some beliefs, myths, taboos are shed off as new ones are adopted by the society. Due to this fact, therefore, in America, the attitudes towards same sex marriage are changing very fast. One wonders what made the acts wrong in the previous society. The society believes that the same sex marriage can weaken the existing institution of marriage. Such a belief is not true since those engaging in the same sex marriage do not necessarily coerce others to join them. As a matter of fact, the reverse is true whereby the same sex marriage strengthens marriages. Such happen since closeted couples emerge and enter into the legal partnership.
In addition, those who oppose same sex marriage citing that they cannot naturally procreate and provide a good environment for child rearing are ignorant of the fact that not even all the heterosexual marriages have the capability to procreate (John Corvino, 2013). At the same time, there are heterosexual marriages that fail in provision of proper grounds for child rearing. If the same sex couples are denied the right to marry, it would be imperative to deny the rest of heterosexual couples who cannot procreate normally and those who cannot provide a contusive environment for child rearing. The existence of marriages without children proofs that marriage has a deeper meaning than procreation.
Denying same sex couple the right to marry is per se denying them the inherent right to neutrality, equal treatment, and human rights to live happy (Stanford Encyclopedia for philosophy, 2009). In addition, the freedom of choice is also denied. Denying the couple the benefits associated with legal marriage is unjustly discriminating the same sex couples. For example, the property right, health insurance, pensions, immigration eligibility, and privacy rights are violated by denying gays and lesbians the right to marry. The same case is extended hospital visitation rights where one has to prove that one is couple. But to what extend is one allowed to uphold human freedom?
Some argue that allowing same sex couples to marry is denying the rest the freedom to hold to certain morals. Most religious beliefs (abcNEWS, October 29, 2014) and traditions do not recognize same sex love affairs and, therefore, considers the whole issues incompatibles with the sacred texts and traditions. Everybody in the process of excising their freedom ought to not suppress the freedom of the rest in the society.
In conclusion, same sex marriage may not seem right in the face of many. Such scenarios define what the society has held as true and does not want to changes as new knowledge I created. Each individual ought to be accorder all rights and freedoms as needed provided such freedom is responsibly used.
References
Stanford Encyclopedia for philosophy (2009). Marriage and Domestic Partnership
First published Sat Jul 11, 2009; substantive revision Wed Aug 8, 2012. Accessed on October 30, 2014 from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/marriage/#SamSexMar
John Corvino (2013). The Philosophers Magazine: What’s wrong with gay marriage? Accessed on October 30, 2014 from http://philosophypress.co.uk/?p=1189
abcNEWS, (October 29, 2014). Gay Marriage News. Accessed on October 30, 2014 from http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/issues/gay-marriage.htm
Foxnews (October 06, 2014). Supreme Court paves way for gay marriage in several states, leaves issue unresolved nationally. Accessed on October 30, 2014 from http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/10/06/supreme-court-denies-gay-marriage- appeals/
