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Marriage Same-Sex Ceremony

Introduction

Marriage is the matrimonial union between a man and a woman. The Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines marriage as a legally accepted relationship between a woman and a man in which they live as husband and wife, or the official ceremony which results in this. Therefore, same-sex marriage is a marriage in which two people of the same sex either woman and woman or man and man, living together as a family. Of late, the same-sex couples in certain parts of the United States of America have been permitted to marry. The same-sex couples are often referring to this as “civil union” (Messerli 2007, p. 1). Besides, same-sex marriage is also sometimes called as a “gay marriage” or a “lesbian marriage”. The Americans have been debating on the legalization of same-sex marriage and there have been countless arguments for the question, “Should it be legalized?” Hence, this research paper is an attempt to answer this question in the most objective and satisfactory manner by looking at the history of same-sex marriage, the trends in United States of America, the discriminations against homosexuals, the pros and cons of legalizing same-sex marriage and finally conclude as to whether should it be legalized.

Trends in United States of America

The societal reaction to homosexuality has changed. Americans have more positive images of homosexuals today than in the past.

Previous Trend of Same-sex Marriage

In 1971, forty-seven states had created statutes to define homosexual acts as criminal behavior, however, by the mid-1970s, more than one-third of the states had dropped their bans on homosexual practices between consenting adults (Horton, Leslie, et al. 1991, p. 135). This clearly states that the public opinion of homosexuals has been lighten in only a few years time. Later in 1974, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the mental disorders list as homosexuality is not some form of mental illness but a rejection of the heterosexual norm (Horton, Leslie, et al. 1991, p. 135). In brief, the public view of homosexuality has been discriminating and hateful for a very long time but over time, these views have changed dramatically.

Current Trend of Same-sex Marriage

Today, gay men and lesbians are no longer strangers in America, as they are citizens, entitled to equal protection like everyone else, no special rights but simple equality (Adams & Abdinoor 1998, p. 450). This demonstrates the new-found leniency of homosexuality among Americans. In addition, same-sex couples in certain states of the United States of America have been permitted to marry. In February 2004, the city of San Francisco started issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples (BBC NEWS 2007, p. 1). This proves that same-sex couples in certain states of the United States of America have been permitted to marry.

Source: Introduction to Social Problems Fifth Edition, 2000.

The diagram above shows that the percentage of people in the United States agree that homosexual relations between consenting adults should be illegal and gays should have equal job rights had risen from the past twenty years. This proves that the public has greater tolerance for homosexuality now.

Discriminations Against Homosexuals

Same-sex couples are discriminated as they practice inappropriate sexual behavior and orientation. There are three types of oppression which are ideological, legal and occupational.

3.1Ideological Oppression

Same-sex couples are targets of derision and are always restricted from social interaction because they are seen as a dangerous deviation from normal sexuality, which is called heterosexuality (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 291). Hence, the majorities consider homosexuals as outsiders or outcasts. When people believe that gays are immoral, they belittle their lifestyle and even engage in hostile acts such as gay-bashing by adolescent males (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 291). These caused many homosexuals to face personal problems because of these discriminations.

3.1.1Religion

Homosexual behavior is considered a heinous sin by the Judeo-Christian tradition (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 291). The Old Testament approves sexual intercourse only within marriage and the New Testament also continued this tradition (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 291). The majority of Christian rejects homosexuality and considers it a sin. Besides, the Old Testament also condemns sodomists to death as perpetrators of an abomination against the Lord (Horton, Leslie, et al. 1991, p. 135). As a conclusion, it is confirmed that homosexuality is looked down upon by Christianity.

3.1.2Medicine

The Americans believe that homosexuality has been shaped by prevailing views of the medical community (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 294). They actually considered homosexuality as an illness. This illness was assumed to be curable and many techniques such as prefrontal lobotomies, crude forms of conditioning (such as drugs that induce a sensation of suffocation or emetics to induce vomiting), and even castration were tried (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 294). But these techniques were obviously ineffective in treating this so-called malady. Therefore, it is safe to say that homosexuality is definitely not an illness.

3.2Legal Oppression

In the fourteenth-century, the common punishment for homosexuality in Europe is by burning at the stake (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 295). It is clear that at that time homosexuality was taken as an extremely heinous offence. The replacement of the death penalty for homosexuality with castration was proposed by Thomas Jefferson and some liberal reformers around the time of the American Revolution (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 295).Even until today, homosexuals are still not treated equally even though their legal status has progressed considerably.

3.2.1Sodomy Laws

In the United States, prohibitions against sodomy (anal or oral sex) were universal (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 295). These prohibitions are mostly based on the Christian belief that sodomy is a sin. Sodomy laws are used to pester against same-sex couples especially for gays as lesbians usually are socially invisible in society (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 295). As a summary, it is known that sodomy is strictly prohibited by law and that homosexuality was initially assumed to be solely for males only.

The Military

The military has always discriminated against homosexuals. This was proven as from 1982 to 1992, approximately 14, 000 homosexuals were discharged from the military which have led to many court cases and the military's right to purge homosexuals was always reaffirmed (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 296). In 1993, President Clinton promised to change the regulations so that the discriminations against homosexuals are prohibited in the military which have led to many an opposition by citizens, politicians, military personnel and leaders compromising the “don't ask, don't tell” rule as a result (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 296). This rule meant that the military will only prosecute if gay and lesbian service members were deliberate about their sexual orientation (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 296). So it is clear that the military would provide a heavy punishment to those who were openly homosexual, but would turn a blind eye on those who kept their homosexuality a secret.

Family Rights

State law asserts homophobia as it censures the living arrangements among same-sex couples (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 296-297). The emotional benefits of marriage and the significant marriage benefits are denied to homosexuals: rights to inheritance and community property, and potential savings from joint tax returns because the courts have ruled consistently that these benefits are refuted to homosexuals (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 296-297). This could be considered a tactic by the government to discourage same-sex marriages as there are no domestic benefits from it. Besides, in some states, adoption by homosexuals is illegal (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 296-297). This has caused uproar among homosexuals who refer to this prohibition as a form of discrimination.

Occupational Discrimination

Homosexuals have to hide their sexual orientation in the working environment as there are limited legal protections to them and homophobic attitudes are common (Eitsen & Zinn 2000, p. 300). A majority of employers may not employ homosexuals as they fear it might jeopardized their company's public outlook, or spark internal conflict between homosexual and homophobic employees.

Arguments for the Legalization of Same-sex Marriage

There are several advantages of the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Increase in the Number of Child Adoptions

There are a number of children around the country waiting to be adopted. The homosexuals, especially the gay couples, will have the desire to adopt since they cannot reproduce (Messerli 2007, p. 3). With this desire, the number of child adoptions in the Untied Stated of America will be increased. This could convince the government to rethink about the law against adoption by homosexual couples.

Biological Causation

A research has been done to show that homosexuality has a biological causation. Homosexuality is affected by hormone switches where their secondary sexual characteristics resemble the opposite sex (Messerli 2007, p. 2). This is proven as there are some gays who have softer voices and lesbians who tend to have deeper and firmer voices and in some cases have a more masculine body shape, if compared to regular females.

Minority Discrimination

Although America holds the concept that the majority should rule, the rights of minorities should be protected which is the very same reason to have a Bill of Rights, anti-slavery and equal protection amendments (Messerli 2007, p. 2). There is no difference in denying marriages to same-sex couples than denying marriages to black couples (Messerli 2007, p. 2). Therefore, denying same-sex marriages would prove to be unwise decision by the government because many would claim that this would be a form of discrimination.

4.4Promotes Healthier Society

Married people are usually healthier than unmarried people (Religion & Ethics - Ethical issues 2006, p. 1). This will eventually lead to a healthier society. Also, a healthy society would help to reduce government expenditure in providing healthcare. Besides, legalizing same-sex marriages would reduce promiscuity and sexually transmitted diseases thus creating a healthier society.

4.4.1Reduce Promiscuity

When same-sex marriages are legalized, long term monogamous relationships are encouraged (Adams & Abdinoor 1998, p. 421). This is because recognizing same-sex marriages will prevent people from having multiple partners hence reducing the rate of promiscuity.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines Sexually Transmitted Diseases as a disease that people become infected with during sexual activity. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a sexually transmitted disease and by legalizing same-sex marriages, the risk of AIDS transmission will be reduced.

Arguments Against the Legalization of Same-sex Marriage

There are a number of disadvantages of the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Homosexuality is Considered a Sin by Most Religions

The Roman Catholic Church believes that marriage was established by God with its own proper laws, stating that it should be a faithful, exclusive, and lifelong union between one man and one woman, united as husband and wife in an intimate partnership of life and love (Sullivan 2004, p. 52). This proves that Christianity will only grant marriages to heterosexuals. Furthermore, nearly every religion in the world, including the major ones in United States of America, considers homosexuality intolerable (Messerli 2007, p. 3). Therefore, recognizing a relationship between people of the same sex is considered as an offence because the relationship is said to be sinful.

Against the Definition of Marriage

The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, third edition, defines marriage as the legal union of a man and woman as husband and wife; state of being married. On the other hand, the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines marriage as a legally accepted relationship between a woman and a man in which they live as husband and wife, or the official ceremony which results in this. In short, in all cases, marriage has always been considered as the union of a man and a woman. Therefore, legalizing same-sex marriages is against the definition of marriage.

Provides a Slippery Slope in the Legality of Marriage

Recognizing same-sex marriages could start a chain reaction that destroys the whole idea of marriage (Messerli 2007, p. 3). This is because if same-sex marriages are permitted, then other marriages such as marriages between siblings have to be legalized also as there is no rational reason to deny them. Moreover, if same-sex marriages are recognized, then having multiple wives (thus creating a polygamous society) or marrying an object could be next (Messerli 2007, p. 3).

Less Stable Relationships

Men want sex more than stability while women want it the other way round. Heterosexual marriage is therefore some form of a pact between these two conflicts. One side provides stability in return for sex and the other gives sex in return for stability. In this manner, both parties will reap benefits from this arrangement, especially children (Sullivan 2001, p. 198). Hence, once one gender is missing, the stability of marriage will be negatively affected. Therefore, marriages within people of the same sex will be less stable as compared to the conventional marriages.

Role Model Problem

Same-sex parents cannot provide their children with both a female role model and a male role model (Religion & Ethics - Ethical issues 2006, p. 1). For instance, gay parents will not be able to provide a female role model for their adopted female child and this might disadvantage their child.

6.0Conclusion

In conclusion, by recognizing same-sex marriages, the number of child adoptions will be increased and a healthier society is promoted where the rate of promiscuity is reduced. Furthermore, even though the public is giving more tolerance for homosexuality nowadays, discriminations against homosexuals still exist. This gives them no choice but to hide their sexual orientation. In addition, it is not just to treat homosexuals differently from the others as everyone has the love's right. Hence, same-sex marriages should be legalized in the United States of America so that homosexuals can live openly in same-sex relationships with all the same privileges enjoyed by heterosexuals.

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