FREE ESSAY ON HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGES

HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGES

Itani 1
Homosexual Marriages
Homosexuals should be allowed to marry because the disallowance of it violates their
constitutional rights. Marriage is an institution long recognized by our government under
the right to pursue happiness, and denying that right to any couple, regardless of
gender, is unconstitutional. This argument, though, is not disputed. In fact, none of the
arguments raised in opposition to the allowance of homosexual marriages takes into
account the constitutional rights afforded to all humans. The arguments are only in
relation to the possible repercussions (real or imagined) of granting these rights. Our
nation was built and has always been based on the fundamental principles of freedom
expressed in the Declaration of Independence and through our Constitution. The opponents
of homosexual marriage need to remember what freedom means to America, and understand the
significance of setting a precedent that denies that freedom.
The Supreme Court has long recognized that the institution of marriage is one of the
rights guaranteed to all Americans by our Constitution. In the case of Loving vs.
Virginia, the Supreme Court said, "The freedom to marry has long been recognized as one
of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men"
(Howard Zinn, 397). In the case of Cleveland Bard of Education vs. LaFleur, the Supreme
Court said, "This court has long recognized that freedom of personal choice in matters of
marriage and family life is one of liberties protected by the Due Process Clause of the
Fourteenth Amendment" ("The Supreme Court Hands Gays a Win"). Despite all this,
heterosexuals are the only ones allowed to be married at this time. 
Itani 2
Homosexuals and heterosexual both live under the same constitution and therefore should
both be afforded the same rights. Unfortunately, this is not the case. 
The reasons that are presented against the allowance of homosexual marriage are flimsy,
and have nothing to do with the constitutional rights that should be afforded to all
Americans. Some of these arguments are that marriage is for procreation, same-sex couples
aren't the optimum environment in which to raise children, gay relationships are immoral,
marriages are for ensuring the continuation of the species, and that same-sex marriages
would start America down a slippery slope towards legalized incest, bestial marriage, and
other kinds of horrible consequences (Steve Chapman). 
These reasons against gay marriage only deal with the consequences of what may happen if
this is allowed. It is all speculation and has nothing to do with what is already a
constitutional right. These same arguments were also offered thirty years ago towards
interracial marriages. Journalist Deb Price offers this, "..all (arguments) seem to echo
the debates heard in the late 1960's when the morality of racially mixed marriages was
being debated. One only needs to change a few words in the present day arguments against
gays and lesbian marriage in order to produce replicas of those earlier racist
statements." 
The main argument against same-sex marriages is the religious argument that God doesn't
condone homosexuality. In Leviticus 20:13 of the Bible, it reads that, "If a man also lie
with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they
shall surely be put to death; their blood upon them." Since marriage is considered by the
Church to be a covenant with God, the view in the church is that homosexual marriages
cannot be allowed (Robert B. Marks Ridinger). 
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The First Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." (Eric Black). This is saying that
religious grounds cannot determine constitutional law. However, this amendment is also
saying that once homosexual marriages are allowed by the state, the Church can continue
denying them. There are many churches though that allow homosexuals to be married and
this is where these people would have to go. 
Arguments that deal with how homosexual marriages will affect children is a very touch
subject. The argument is that children of same-sex marriages will suffer psychological
problems, as evidenced by the children now who are suffering psychological effects
because of family breakups and single-sex parenting ("Kids With Gay Parents").
The problem is not with single-sex parenting but with single parenting. An internet
article, "Kids With Gay Parents", says that, "...various studies of families with
same-sex and opposite sex parents...showed that genders of the parents are unimportant to
the quality of child-rearing, but that family breakdowns are very harmful to children."
Under these grounds, these studies could actually be used to support the homosexual
position in that a committed homosexual relationship would be more stable for a child
than an unstable heterosexual relationship. 
Our great country would not exist today if our forefathers had not signed the Declaration
of Independence and braved the repercussions of it. The signing of such a monumental
document ensured that all Americans be entitled to certain rights. As 
Itani 4
Americans how can one not want to uphold these rights. Women are stronger for them,
African-Americans are stronger for them, religions are stronger for them, parents are
stronger for them, children are stronger for them, the working class is stronger for
them, so the why shouldn't homosexuals be stronger for them. This is a nation that has
faced huge amounts of internal prejudice and misconception. Following the Constitution of
the United States is what gave America the strength to pull through those rough times and
strive for a brighter day when all are viewed on as equal. Homosexuals deserve to be
treated equal, and they deserve to have the right to get married.
(contact me if you have any questions)
Bibliography
I have a hard copy of my works cited page and I don't feel like typing it in. If you
really need, e-mail me and I'll send it to you.