Jessica Lovell English 1010

As of July 17, 2013, gay marriage has been legalized in 13 states such as; Massachusetts (May 17, 2004), New York (June 24, 2011), and Washington (Dec. 9, 2012). Many people disagree with gay marriage because it goes against their personal or religious beliefs. Some believe homosexuality is unnatural and wrong, but to say such a thing would be considered discrimination. Society's attitudes and opinions change over time and as the majority of Americans are beginning to support gay marriage, there are still people who disagree. Many people are against same-sex marriage, but marriage is a basic civil right and one that should be extended out to every person, whether it be between man and woman or man and man. Some people disagree with same-sex marriage because of the fact that they cant produce children. If they cannot have children, then there is no reason for them to marry. Adoption would be out of the picture because it would lead to more children being raised in same-sex households, which is a problem because it may have a negative effect on the children. Religion is also a key issue because same-sex marriage goes against many religious beliefs. Same-sex relations is believed to be a sin, therefore it should not be practiced let alone legalized. It is believed by some that the purpose of marriage is to produce and raise children. If the reason for marriage is strictly for reproduction, that would then mean that infertile couples would not be allowed to marry either. The ability or desire to have children has never been a legal requirement for marriage. There are many married heterosexual couples who do not want nor have any children. For those couples who want children but are incapable of having children of their own, through adoption, having a family can become a possibility. By legalizing gay marriage, it would make it easier for same-sex couples to adopt. In the

Jessica Lovell English 1010 US, over 100,000 children are waiting to be adopted. Same-sex couples could provide a stable home and loving environment for children who would otherwise be left in foster care. Some may argue that this would lead to more children being raised in same-sex households and therefore would not be a suitable environment for children because children need both a mother and a father. This is explained by stating that some girls who are raised without their fathers are supposedly at higher risk for early sexual activity and teen pregnancy and children without a mother are deprived of the emotional security that they provide. However, it is not the biological gender that causes these psychological issues but the role a mother and father represent. Samesex couples can provide the necessary emotional stability children need just as well as any other heterosexual parents. Another reason why people are against the legalization of gay marriage is because it goes against their religious beliefs. They say that marriage is a religious partnership between one man and one woman. It is against most religions to allow same-sex marriage, let alone homosexual relations. On the other hand, others may even dare to say that religious leaders are used to performing marriages only because the state gave them that authority. Marriage should not be limited by religious objections to gay marriage. Not every person considers themself religious and not every person belongs to a specific religion. Therefore to prevent gay marriage from becoming legal because of religious beliefs would be a violation of the US Constitution by not separating church from state. Denying same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. In 1967 the Supreme Court confirmed that marriage is "one of the basic civil rights of man." The views and opinions of the world are changing, just as they do every few generations. Everyone has a right to choose a person to love and share their life with. Every person has the right to express their feelings without judgment or
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Jessica Lovell English 1010 criticism. Same-sex marriage is a civil right. It is a right that should be extended out to every person, whether or not some people disagree.