[1.3.12] Gay Rights

Sources: Here, here, here, here, and here.


Should gay marriage be legal in the whole country?

I say yes.

First, let's point out the "cons" of gay marriage, as stated by gaymarriage.procon.org

The institution of marriage has traditionally been defined as between a man and a woman.

"Traditionally"? So things cannot change? Compare the US to the past to the US of today. Before, families had home-cooked meals. "Traditionally," women stayed at home to take care of the children while the men worked. Traditionally, women barely had any rights. Many things focused on the importance of family. Of a healthy lifestyle - kids would go  outside and play after finishing their homework. And today? Both men and women work. A lot of people eat out now, and a lot of people are staying indoors - the obesity rate is going up. Teens are seen texting everywhere, if not doing something else related to technology. Instead of "quality family time," some families are more distant with each other. The so-called "traditions" of the United States have changed over time.

Marriage is already threatened with high divorce rates (between 40% and 50%)

So homosexuals shouldn't get married because the divorce rate is already very high? So, following this logic... I once read something that went along the lines of, "since the divorce rate is already very high, heterosexuals should not be allowed to be married."

Gay marriage is incompatible with the beliefs, sacred texts, and traditions of many religious groups.

The first amendment states that a US citizen has the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. So no matter what religion one practices, they should not force their beliefs on others (thus the phrase "freedom of religion and freedom from religion"). Don't support gay marriage? Then don't marry someone of your own sex. Why should you be allowed to choose who gets married and who doesn't? (The US is supposed to have a separation of church and state, anyway, isn't it? The issue of "religion" should not come into US law at all.)

Gay marriage will accelerate the "assimilation” of gays into mainstream heterosexual culture. The gay community has created its own vibrant culture.

Isn't the US supposed to be a "melting pot" of cultures?


And now for some supporting statements from balancedpolitics.org.

Homosexuality is an accepted lifestyle nowadays with most evidence strongly supporting biological causation.

I stated this in my very first blog post:

Despite my lack of knowledge on politics, I have two political issues that I care somewhat strongly about. The first is the issue about gay rights. I believe that homosexuals should have a right to marry; I mean, why shouldn't they? Is it a crime? Is it not "natural"*? People should be allowed to love whomever they choose. Like Hope said, isn't everyone supposed to be equal? African Americans and women gained their rights. Why can't homosexuals have theirs? There is so much pressure put on teenagers (for example) about their sexuality. Some kids were eventually driven to suicide because of their looks and/or sexual orientation; people that were not as accepting (or people that just assume) bully these kids. It is disappointing and saddening to see that people do not accept differences.

*Some studies suggest that sexual orientation is determined by genetics. There have been signs of homosexuality in animals, too. And Tango Makes Three is a children's book based on a true story about two male penguins who tried to hatch a rock that seemed like an egg. That rock was eventually replaced by a real egg; the egg hatched and the baby penguin grew up healthily.

Denying these marriages is a form of minority discrimination.

Need I say more?

It doesn't hurt society or anyone in particular.

Exactly. "Homosexuals are not allowed to be married because they will take over the United States with communism" is not a valid point. Neither is "married homosexuals are going to break into my house."

The only thing that should matter in marriage is love.

A bit corny, but yes, I feel this is true as well.

The number of child adoptions should increase since gay couples cannot pro-create.

A wonderful reason.