Essay CT: The Case for Same-Sex Marriage Rights

CRITICAL THINKING SAME SEX MARRIAGE LECTURER: MR. TRAN TIEN KHOI
One of the topics that has become a subject of and never failed to attract
people’s attention is same sex marriage. Actually, many people hold
believed that it is not normal for homosexual couples to marry. But to
recognize that everyone has the right to the pursuit of happiness, and is the
rightful happiness, comes from sincere love. It would not be difficult to
answer the question whether gay marriage is rational or not. In fact, allowing
homosexual people to marry does not infringe upon the interests and rights
of others, but only brings happiness and protection to homosexuals who are
a normal, natural part, and inseparable from society.
Same-sex marriage is nothing new, with historical evidence showing that
marriage has not always been the institution between heterosexuals. Gay
marriages have existed in some form around 600 years ago. (Tulchin, 2007)
Since early 1960’s, gay activists have been striving for the right to marry.
However, the issue of gay marriage only arose from the 1990’s, as three
same-sex couples filed a lawsuit against the state of Hawaii for the
prohibition of gay marriage in US. The case has come to a conclusion that
banning gay marriage is not constitutional, as there is no real practical
reason and compelling arguments for it. (Bower, 2010)
This event had triggered the world’s attention over the next decade and
consequently led to the creation and approval of the Defense of Marriage Act
(DOMA) in 1998. This law is exercised in the US and it has further defined the
term marriage, solely as the legal union between a man and a woman.
(Bower, 2010) In addition, this law asserts that no states in the US are
required to recognize same-sex marriage that is performed in other places. (Masci, 2007)
Although gay marriage is not allowed in many countries, some places
provide an alternative - civil union, as a compromise. In order to reduce
controversy, the term civil union was used in replace of marriage, and it is an
institution that offers same-sex couples all the rights, benefits and privileges
that are equivalent to marriage. (Kirk, 2010)
In 1989, Denmark was the first country to establish civil union laws. Since
then, many other countries, including Australia and some states in the US,
have adopted the civil union law in attempt to resolve the problem of gay
marriage. (Ellis-Christensen, 2010)
Despite the establishment of civil union, advocates of gay marriage have
never stopped battling for the right to marry. They indict that civil union do
not include all the legal benefits, or the cultural significance of marriage.
(Infoplease, 2007) For instance, all benefits and rights granted to a civil
partnership are restricted within the state, as DOMA has denied the
recognition from the federal government. Also, supporters of gay marriage
argue that civil union cannot replace marriage, and it is just an alternative
way of segregating gay couples from the society. (Kirk, 2010) This debate on
the legalization of marriage will continue in the next few decades.
Here are some reasons for why same sex marriage should be allowed.
First of all, same sex marriage increases the number of children
successfully adopted. Most adoption agencies discriminate against gay
couples and make it incredibly difficult for them to adopt children. Many
agencies will only release children to "married" couples, therefore rejecting
stable, loving, homosexual parents. By legalizing gay marriage in all states,
adoption agencies will be forced to grant the same respect and right to
homosexual couples. Gay marriage will increase the chances for thousands
of foster children to gain loving parents and families.
Secondly, the divorce rate could be decreased. More than 50% of
married couples in America get divorced. Studies show that the US has one
of the highest divorce rates compared to other countries. Allowing same-sex
lovers the opportunity to get married will increase marriage rates because
less couples will get divorced due to incompatibility or infertility. Legalizing
gay marriage will decrease divorce rate because it cannot get any worse than it is right now.
Next, It’s an issue of equal rights. In the 50's, interracial marriage was
illegal. But now, modern society understands this to be an unjust law that
denied equal rights to couples who loved each other. The issue of gay
marriage is no different. Denying marriage to two individuals who love each
other is to deny them a fundamental freedom.
Moreover, It will diminish youth suicide. One of the main reasons why
teenagers are commit suicide are due to the child being bullied at their
school as a result of his/her sexual orientation. The same acceptance that
will come about due to legalizing gay marriage will show teens that
homosexuality is accepted and respected in society. We need to explain to
younger generations that being different is not a social disability, so that
they will never feel the need to take their own lives because they are gay.
Ultimately, Same-sex lovers foster societal acceptance of same-sex
lovers and LGBT individuals. Legalizing gay marriage will help establish a
social norm that includes and respects homosexual lifestyles. Couples as well
as individuals in the LGBT community will seem less "different" from
heterosexual lifestyle, so straight couples and individuals will be more
inclined to accept homosexual couples into their communities. Conclusion
Homosexuals nowadays still have to face and deal with lots of difficulties in
work life and personal life that result in the prejudices and discrimination
from other people. Homosexuals are no strangers, but our descendants,
relatives, neighbors, friends, colleagues. They work and contribute to society
as anyone else, but they are subject to many disadvantages and prejudices.
Therefore, there are no good reasons for us to isolate them and look down on
them. All man has human right, and that means all man have the right to live
and love freely without any judgement. No matter who you are, you have the
right to be yourself and to be with the person you love.
All things considered, it is clear that it is necessary to legalize the co-
existence of homosexuals, and to enhance their legitimate interests, rather than limiting them. Group members 1. Phạm Võ Ngọc Bảo BABAWE15351 2. Lê Vũ Thiên Phúc BABANS16026 3. Bùi Trần Thanh Ngân BABANS16007 4. Bùi Trần Dạ Thảo BABANS16056 5. Triệu Thanh Thảo Ngân BABAIU15248
Document Outline

• LECTURER: MR. TRAN TIEN KHOI