Gay marriage, also known as same–sex marriage, is the union between two people of the same sex (Meezan & Rauch, 2005). There has been a relentless controversy in recent years about whether or not gay marriage should be allowed in the United States of America. This article is mostly intended to explore the differences between marriages, gay marriage, and the reasons that gay marriage should be legalized.
Marriage, also known as wedlock or matrimony, is a legally recognized union between companions that determines responsibilities and privileges between certain partners, as well as subsequent adopted or maternal offspring and affinity. Reflective of its background, marriage is mainly based on one’s religion and culture. Essentially this is the main reason why marriages are celebrated differently. A majority of people marry and have been marrying because they have found their love matches or the persons they would like to spend the rest of their lives with. Predominantly, gay marriages can be tracked back then when marriages were on entirely based on gender – based roles that were complementary and the need to create an offspring or children. As soon as people started basing their opinions that marriages ought to be built out of love and attraction, there was a rapid increase in the number of heterosexuals. Based on the definition of gay marriage at the introductory part, the main difference between marriages and gay marriages lies on the fact that marriages involve the union of companions from different sex while gay marriages involve the union of companions from the same sex (Meezan & Rauch, 2005). In summary, marriages involve a male and female spouse while a gay marriages involves a male and male or female and female spouse. Currently, there are some states that allow gay marriages while other states consider it to be illegal. Out of 50 states that form America, 36 of consider gay marriages to be illegal and they include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, IIIinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming (Steve, 2013). On the other hand, there are just about only 14 states that allow gay marriages. Some of this states include New York, Rhode Island, Washington, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, California, Minnesota, Delaware, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and lowa (Steve, 2013). Based on the data and information above, it can easily be established that less than half of American states allow gay marriages. PART 2Why gay marriage should be made legal To begin with, gay marriages should be made legal so as to promote equality. The fact that gay marriages are not allowed in some of the American states simply means that gay people in such areas are often mistreated and in the end this makes them feel like they are second class citizens. Still on equality, gay marriage should be made legal since the companions involved have their own individual rights and freedom just like any other citizen in the country (Calvi & Coleman , 2016). The prohibition of same sex marriage simply translates to the fact that gay people do not have individual rights and freedom. Secondly, Gay marriages should also be made legal since the discrimination of the LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community serves as basis for other people in the society to judge and discriminate people based on their actions (Calvi & Coleman , 2016). As a result of the discrimination, most individuals who belong to the community indicated above end up feeling inferior. In summary, equality of individual rights, freedom can only be achieved by phasing out the laws that prohibit same sex marriage as they are responsible for causing discrimination and judgement. As soon as this laws are phased out, it is safe to state that gay people will be able to live a meaningful life without any fear and regrets of being judged or discriminated. Gay marriages should also be made legal since the laws that oppose this form of marriage are outdated. The 14th amendment that prohibits same sex marriages was implemented in the year 1868, July 14th (Herek, 2006). Judging from this information it can easily be established that there is a need to review the regulations that opposed the institution of gay marriages. Humans are evolutionary beings who keep on evolving as time goes by. Operating in laws and regulatory measures that were set over a century ago is simply rational. The government of America ought to amend its laws and policies every now and then depending on the progress and demands of its citizens. Implementing laws and policies that discriminate other people is simply of out of date. Legislators should not make and implement laws that favor their own livelihood instead they should come up with laws that favor the equality of every citizen within the country. When it comes to property rights and laws, gay marriages ought to be instituted since it helps in determining who owns what property after a divorce or during a death event. Without the legalization of gay marriages, it is very difficult to identify or distinguish between marital property and common law property and in the end, the distribution of property upon separation or death becomes complicated and irregular. Through the legalization of gay marriages, it is easy for gay companions to relate with what is mine is mine, what is yours is mine and who owns what in the relationship. From a general perspective, it can easily be concluded that failure to legalize gay marriages is constantly causing wrangles and troubles especially when it comes to property distribution. As of today, there are several pending cases about property distribution simply because the companions involved were gay. CONCLUSIONIn conclusion, gay marriages should be made legal in the United States of America. States that consider gay marriages to be illegal ought to acknowledge the fact that limiting the rights and freedoms of lesbians, gays and transgendered people is wrong since every American citizen has their own individual rights and privileges. Technically this means that all American citizens should be treated with respect irrespective of whether they are gays or not. In summary, gay marriages should be made legal so as to promote the equality of rights and freedom when it comes to gay marriages. Gay marriages should also be made legal since the laws that prohibit same sex marriages are outdated. As mentioned earlier on, the 14th amendment that prohibits same sex marriages was instituted as early as 1868, July 14th, this is more than a century ago. Reflective of the changes and transformations that the human society has undergone since then, it is arguably safe to state that there is a need for an amendment. Today’s America is completely different as compared to the America that was in place back then. Finally, gay marriages should be legalized since the discrimination of lesbians, gays, transgendered and bisexual people is a discrimination of the basic human rights that every person is entitled to. From a general perspective, the government is entitled to protect every citizen from discrimination and the abuse of their basic rights and privileges. Since the LGBT community are part of the society/citizens of America, it is their basic right to be protected from discrimination and abuse from other citizens who do not support gay marriages. Primarily, this can be made possible by legalizing gay marriages which in turn will help limit the judgement that gay marriages and people have to undergo through. Broadly, I am firm believer that gay marriages ought to be legalized in all American states. ReferencesSteve Williams (2013) Retrieved from http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/faculty_sites/rainbow/html/AP_06_pre.PDFCalvi, J. V., & Coleman, S. (2016). American law and legal systems. Routledge.Davidson, D. Z. (2016). The History of Marriage through the Lens of Case Studies. Journal of Women's History, 28(1), 157-165.Gates, G. J. (2015). Marriage and family: LGBT individuals and same-sex couples. The Future of Children, 67-87.Gerstmann, E. (2017). Same-sex Marriage and the Constitution. Cambridge University Press.Herek, G. M. (2006). Legal recognition of same-sex relationships in the United States: A social science perspective. American Psychologist, 61(6), 607.Kollman, Kelly. "Same-sex unions: the globalisation of an idea." In the same-sex unions’ revolution in western democracies. Manchester University Press, 2016.Meezan, W., & Rauch, J. (2005). Gay marriage, same-sex parenting, and America's children. The Future of Children, 97-115.
Type your email