Equal Rights
Gay marriage has been frowned upon for so many years and for so many reasons. A few of the reasons are but not limited to include, overlooking that marriage was a sacred bond between marriage and is not just any relationship between human beings. It is a relationship rooted in human nature and thus governed by natural law. However, to refuse same sex marriages is to take away a person right to the 14th amendment. It gives everyone equal rights, and not to just heterosexual couples. It is not our right to judge, discriminate or hate those who homosexuals. Gay marriage should be accepted because it boosts the economy, makes adoption for orphans easier and it is a person’s basic right to marry who they love.
Some might argue that because same sex couples cannot reproduce and allowing them to get married would further shift the purpose of marriage from producing and raising children. This however is not completely true. Many gay couples want to adopt children to make their family complete. In 2007, at least 65,000 children were adopted by same-sex married parents and 14,100 foster children had a parent or parents that were gay or lesbian (Same-Sex). Heterosexual couples aren’t as likely to adopt children because they are able to have children of their own, and in this generation the child sometimes grows up without either the mother or father in their life. With same sex couples, you have both parents. Some might say that being raised in this kind of environment is not adequate because the child needs a mom and dad. According to the article children growing up in a less assumptive atmosphere may naturally develop into adults who have a less biased outlook on life when it comes to gender categorizations. A less biased world is a better one. It would allow people to see that everyone deserves the right to choose and to be free.
The 14th amendment clearly states that to deny a person life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is unconstitutional. Doing this to a specific group should not be allowed either. “I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage. But when you start playing around with constitutions, just to prohibit somebody who cares about another person, it just seems to me that’s not what America’s about. Usually, our constitutions expand liberties, they don’t contract them.” ~Barack Obama. What president Obama said in this quote I completely agree with. The 11th amendment states: the judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state (11th Amendment).
Many people use the bible to say that gay marriage is an abomination. According to the article Gay Marriage, in Leviticus 18:22, states: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination,” thus condemning homosexual relationships. However, this is not true. The bible does not specify on this topic. Many religious leaders and churches support gay marriage. No mention of same-sex marriage at all, nor does it make reference to sexual orientation as it is understood today.
As a nation, we have no right to take away the privilege of marriage from two people who wish to commit to a relationship with whom they love. Gay marriage should be accepted due to the fact that helps our economy, makes adoption for children more likely to happen, and emphasizes John Locke’s life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Laws should not be used to deny anyone’s rights but to protect and give rights.