Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage Essay Example

In this 21st century, homosexuality has become a big issue. Often we are related or know people who are homosexuals. Homosexuality refers to the emotional and sexual interest of same-sex or gender persons. Homosexuality is the sexual orientation of a person. Sexual orientation can be defined as a pattern of romantic and emotional attraction of women and men. It identifies a person based on emotional and sexual attractions. Sexual orientation has been categorized in to bisexual, heterosexual and homosexual. In many cultures, homosexuality is not accorded psychological and moral significance. However, research shows that many societies are considering homosexuality as acceptable behavior. Society has been made in a way that it holds and practices beliefs that are familiar to them and dismisses those that are unfamiliar. Homosexual marriage is an issue that has come into existence in the last couple of decades, and it is necessary that society recognizes and appropriately deal with the issue. Countries such as New Zealand, France, New Caledonia and some states in the United States of America. Some years ago, homosexuality was unacceptable in societies, although it still exists in some societies and cultures, its prevalence is not as high as it were previously (Fetner, 2016). Homosexuals were often forced to live a straight life without consideration of their emotional and sexual feelings. However, the narrative has changed as in some countries homosexual marriage is legal.

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Marriage is a sacred arrangement between two people or more people who love each other. Homosexuality has gained public attention over the years with numerous discourses over legalizing homosexuality. Homosexual just like other straight couples are entitled to love and marry whomever they want. It is not fair and right for a person, an institution or an entity to determine and choose for you whom to love. A citizen that pays taxes and abides the existing laws of the land deserves to be granted rights by the government. However, that is not always the case. People with a homosexual and heterosexual orientation are not still given equal rights as other citizens. Homosexuals are often denied rights with other citizens take for granted. Generally, homosexuals are often denied the right to marry as other citizens of the country because of sexual orientation. Homosexual marriage has been legalized in other states in the US, but I feel like if all the states could legalize same-sex marriage more opportunities for equality will be created in society. Homosexual individuals in society face a lot of challenges which have been attributed to lack of legalization of same-sex marriage. Research shows that homosexuals have higher education levels as compared to heterosexuals. Legalizing same-sex unions increases the probability of adopting children. In some states in the US, the existence of stringent laws prohibits single parents from adopting children. Therefore, legalization will increase the adoption rates thus giving many children support structures (Rothman, 2016).

In some states in the United States of America which have not legalized homosexual marriage, the couples are often faced which a challenge of claiming social security benefits after the demise of their partners. Social security proceeds are meant to benefit the immediate partners of the deceased; however, the way the system is established, it has been hard for gay and lesbians couples to gain access to these benefits. The Human Rights campaigns that work to ensure equal rights for all people in society believe that the system should be re-evaluated to cover homosexual partners in social security benefits. Homosexuals pay for social security services. Therefore, it is discriminatory to deny them equal right as others because of their sexual orientation.

The lack of legal recognition by the same sex union impacts them in various ways. The argument for legalization should not only on living together but also their rights in society. Homosexual just like other citizens in society pay taxes that develop infrastructure and run governmental functions. If these people pay taxes and obey the laws of the country, they should give the same opportunities and rights as other citizens. In the US, the lack of legalization denies the homosexuals protection form most of the laws of the country. Legalization of gay marriage has diverse views. Even as other people feel it is fair to legalize same-sex marriage, others hold opinions that it will be wrong spiritually and morally.

The fight for legalization of same-sex marriage is not for religious recognition but somewhat legal recognition. Studies indicate that people that are against homosexual relationship base their disagreements on religious beliefs. Most of these people do not hate gay and lesbian people but rather their lifestyles. Legalization of same-sex marriage does not do not infringe on the churches beliefs and rights (Hunter, 2017). The homosexual unions are to be recognized by the country and not churches. It is utterly unfair for a government to decide what its people should believe. Determining what people should or should not think is an infringes people's freedom of religion. Governments and religion are separate entities. Therefore, it is unfair for governments to discriminate homosexuals because of religious beliefs legally. Legalization of same-sex marriage is not a religious issue but rather an issue of equal treatment of people by the government.

Conclusion

People have different opinions on the matter, some suggest legalization of homosexual marriages but under confined communities to avoid subjecting straight people to their practices. Doing so is to be equated to the segregation and social injustices that occurred in the past. The segregation trials in American history demonstrate that separate but equal cannot be considered as equal (Rice, 2017). The unfair treatment of homosexuals can be compared to racism and inter-racial marriages in the US. In the case of Loving vs. the State of Virginia, inter-racial marriage was not recognized by the state because of their racial differences. The court determined that it was imprudent for a state to deny people the right to live because of an inter-racial marriage. The decision by the court has acted as a strong force for the recognition of equal marriage rights for all races. Homosexual unions are being recognized in some states in the United States such as Vermont, and it is clear that other states are warming up to the idea of legalization of same-sex marriage. The legal case of Baker vs. Vermont indicates the strides that America has made in the achievement of equal rights for all people. It is essential for people to distinguish between religious beliefs and government and consider the legalization of same-sex marriage from a legal perspective (Sanrey et al., 2016). It is imperative that the government recognize that all people should be accorded equal rights notwithstanding their sexual orientation, race, and gender. Because same-sex marriages are not legalized, it deters homosexual partners from accessing insurances and social security services.

References

Fetner, T. (2016). US attitudes toward lesbian and gay people are better than ever. Contexts, 15(2), 20-27.

Hunter, N. D. (2017). The Sex Discrimination Argument in Gay Rights Cases. In Sexuality and Equality Law (pp. 175-194). Routledge.

Rothman, B. (2016). STRUCTURES, PRACTICES, AND SOCIALIZATION IN INTERRACIAL AND MULTIRACIAL FAMILIES. Mixed-Race Youth and Schooling: The Fifth Minority, 83.

Rice, T. M. (2017). Trajectories of commitment and instability across the legalization of same-sex marriage: an examination of the role of heterosexist experiences.

Sanrey, C., Teste, B., & Mange, J. (2016). "Homosexual Marriage" or "Marriage for All"? Social Lexical Markers' Effects on Persuasion. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 35(5), 471-490.