Social Acceptance of Gay Marriage
Running head: GAY MARRIAGE
Social Acceptance of Gay Marriage
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Marriages between members of the same sex; popularly termed as gay marriages are increasingly becoming a common issue in some parts of the world. While it still remains illegal for one to marry a partner from the same sex in many countries allover the world, the practice has been acknowledged in some parts of the world. According to Gallagher and Baker (2006) the demand for legal recognition of same sex marriages began in Netherlands in April 2001 with 6.3% of all gays and lesbians thought to have married by December 2005. In the United States, gay marriages have gained a wide recognition with the federal government inclined towards providing a legislature that offers other marriage alternatives besides the traditional heterosexual marriages. In the U.S alone, six states fully recognize same sex marriages and even issue marriage certificates to gay couples. In addition to this, two states have allowed gay couples to enter into civil unions while in another six states, registration of same sex couples as domestic partners is allowed. Some countries like Canada have passed legislation that recognizes gay marriages even to couples who are not residents of that country.
GAY MARRIAGE
Some Proponents of gay marriage argue that marriage should be based entirely on whether two people love each other irrespective of their sexuality. In this case it should not matter if one marries a partner of the same sex as long as the institution of marriage is respected and upheld with dignity. Polikoff (2008) argues that due to the increasing rates of divorce among heterosexual couples, gay couples who love each other have a better chance of raising their children properly when they are allowed to enter into a legal union. To others, prohibiting same sex marriages is an effort in futility that amounts to prejudice just like prohibiting interracial marriages. In this case it is argued that prohibiting gay couples from entering into a legal union would amount to some form of discrimination against some minority groups who advocate for same sex marriages (Snyder and Claire, 2006). others argue that allowing gay couples to marry would enhance their financial stability as well as contributing to the welfare of the community since marriage would give them freedom to freely interact with each either and help each other whenever need arises.
Arguments against gay marriages are mostly based on most Christianity morals and values which hold to the belief that marriage should only be between male and female. Since the greatest percentage of the world’s population has Christian affiliations, this school of thought has gained wide acceptance especially given the fact that many jurisdictions allover the world except Canada, Netherlands and the few states in the unite states have outlawed same sex marriages. However, this has raised a heated debate as to the exact definition of who should qualify to be called a man or a woman since there are those who do not fit in the traditional categorical definitions. Examples of those who do not fit in this category are those who undergo sex changes through surgical procedures as well as those who possess the genetic characteristics of both sexes, technically known as hermaphrodites. There is a raising concern that there should be some legal framework for such groups, which gives a fresh momentum to the debate on allowing gay marriages.
In conclusion, the debate on whether to allow gay couples to marry or not is increasingly becoming a problem in several parts of the world with some states in the U.S as well as Canada and Netherlands either legalizing the act or allowing civil unions and domestic partnerships among gay partners. This move has resulted from the growing need to respect the rights of all persons including the gay community since denying them the right to marry is viewed as a form of discrimination. Federal and state or local Legislations that totally prohibit gay marriages or do not recognize union of same sex partners are thought to contribute to this problem. However, as part of a solution it is recommended that individual states or countries should have legislations that are very clear on the issue of marriage and who qualify to enter into a marriage relationship in order to curb the prevailing debates and arguments. It’s also recommended that in states where the debate is in favor of gay marriages should come up with the necessary constitutional amendments to accommodate the interests of the parties concerned.
References
Gallanger, M. & Baker, J. K. (April 2006). Demand for Same Sex Marriage: Evidence fro the United States, Canada and Europe. Institute for Marriage and Public Policy Brief, vol. 3(1).
Polikoff, N. D. (2008). Beyond Straight and Gay Marriage: Valuing all Families under the Law. Boston: Beacon Press.
Snyder, R. C. (2006). Gay marriage and democracy: Equality for all. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.
