Danielle Perez
Period 2B
Harward
Argument Essay
Gay Marriage: A 21st Century Prejudice
It's the query that reverberates throughout America: should gay marriage be
legalized? Gay marriage; a connotation for the right to live, the right to love, and the right
to a choice in marriage. In other words, gays going straight…to the altar. For many
individuals, it conveys a variety of consequential meanings. Traditionally, in this country,
marriage has been defined as a religious and legal commitment between a man and a
woman. Homosexual relationships are increasingly gaining acceptance; however, these
couples have not been allowed to marry one another. Marriage has long been a civil as
well as religious union—you can obtain purely civil marriages, not endorsed by any
church of any kind. I know that churches, specifically Christian churches, are extremely
defensive of the word "marriage," but this, in its embodied glory, is just a word. In the
end, for America to sustain its liberal ideologies, same-sex marriage should be legalized
because the only thing that should matter in marriage is love and commitment. Likewise,
denying it is a violation of religious freedom, while not accepting it is a form of minority
discrimination within the ideals of what this country is based upon. Gay marriage is
prepared to embrace its personified enigma.
First of all, marriage is about love. It's as simple as that. Gays marry because it is the
ultimate expression of a person's love for one another. Marriage is a commitment that
says "I love you, and I want to live the rest of my life with you. I want to share the ups
and downs, forsake all others, and be together until death do us part." Should it matter
that the couple doesn't fit into what society is used to? A marriage is a relationship
between two people. How does it hurt society or people not involved in the marriage? It
is a personal commitment that really is no one else's business. Society shouldn't be
dictating what two people can or cannot do when no one else is hurt in the process. If the
church or certain groups disapprove, that's their right, but it isn't their right to impede.
Additionally, denying these marriages is a form of minority discrimination because
America was founded on the concept that the majority should rule, but the rights of the
minorities should be protected. It is the main reason we have a Bill of Rights as well as
anti-slavery and equal protection amendments. Denying marriage to a homosexual couple
is no different than denying marriage to Hispanic or black couples. By allowing the
discrimination of homosexuals to continue, we are merely perpetrating an ideology
similar to that which was used to oppress African-Americans until the Civil Rights
Movement. I would like to believe that we as American citizens are better than that.
America should represent the most ideal and free government in the world, yet currently
we appear to be trapped in an outdated, inefficient mindset.
Most significantly, religious freedom is sacred and we must respect it. The main reason
for denying same-sex marriage is that all major religions consider homosexuality a sin;
however, the First Amendment of the Constitution clearly states that a person's religious
views must be confined. Marriage, by the state is a worldly activity; the government
cannot start making laws just because a religion says they should. What's next? Should
we make taking the Lord's name in vain a criminal activity just because Christians
consider it a breaking of a commandment?
Nevertheless, almost every religion in the world, including the major ones in this
country, consider homosexuality unacceptable, portraying ignorance, and is further
frowned upon. Initially, many people in society think after building the traditional family
of husband, wife, and children for so long, we shouldn't introduce another form of
"family." I believe that we need to accept others' choices and let go of our highly
doctrinaire views. Yes, religion is a main factor in this country, but they can't make our
individual decisions for us. Gay marriage may be considered a sin to them, but gays have
rights. That is what this country is about, isn’t it? This brings me to my next argument:
traditional family values in the United States. Evolving is a part of everything, and
everything is a part of evolving. Why can't we merely embrace and transcend with it?
We've handled change throughout numerous years anyway, according to America’s
history. Like I have said earlier, it doesn't hurt society or anyone in particular because it
is a personal option and nothing more.
To conclude, gay marriage is an extremely controversial issue that can be debated over
and over, but being aware of the definition of marriage, the cruelness of minority
discrimination, and the justifications of religious freedom, is essential to the positive
development of this country and are the three key aspects of legalizing same-sex
marriage. In my mind, the most acceptable and just solution is to make same-sex
marriage legal and recognized by the federal government, but to leave it up to each
church whether or not they will recognize these same-sex marriages. In short, if you don't
like it, you don't have to approve of it. Although, let us not judge other citizens if they
may choose an unusual way to be contented. Marriage is about spending the rest of your
life with the person you love...whether it be man or woman.