same sex marriage essay 1000 words

Essay on Same Sex Marriage

Students are often asked to write an essay on Same Sex Marriage in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

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100 Words Essay on Same Sex Marriage

Introduction.

Same-sex marriage is when two people of the same gender get married. It’s a topic of much debate globally.

Historical Context

Historically, marriage was between a man and a woman. But, societies evolve and views on marriage have changed.

Legal Status

Many countries now legally recognize same-sex marriage. It’s seen as a matter of equality and human rights.

Society’s View

Society’s views are mixed. Some support it as a step towards equality. Others oppose it due to religious or personal beliefs.

Same-sex marriage is a complex, evolving issue. Understanding it requires open-mindedness and empathy.

250 Words Essay on Same Sex Marriage

Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is the marriage between two people of the same sex. This topic has been the epicenter of numerous debates worldwide due to its legal, social, and human rights implications.

Legal Perspective

Legally speaking, same-sex marriage is a civil right that should be accorded to all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation. It is crucial to remember that marriage is not just a religious institution but also a legal one, conferring rights and responsibilities upon the couple. Denying same-sex couples this right is a violation of equal protection under the law.

Social Perspective

From a social standpoint, acceptance of same-sex marriage signifies progress towards a more inclusive society. It challenges traditional norms and paves the way for a broader definition of love and family. It also provides societal recognition and validation to same-sex relationships, thereby reducing stigma and discrimination.

Human Rights Perspective

From a human rights perspective, same-sex marriage is fundamentally about the freedom to love and be loved. It is about the right to form a family, to enjoy companionship, and to partake in the joys and challenges of married life. Denying these rights based on sexual orientation is contrary to the principles of freedom, dignity, and equality.

In conclusion, same-sex marriage is not just about legal rights, but also about social acceptance and human dignity. It is a step towards a more inclusive, diverse, and equal society. As we move forward, it is crucial to continue advocating for the rights of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation.

500 Words Essay on Same Sex Marriage

Same-sex marriage, also referred to as gay marriage, is a socially and politically charged topic that has been the subject of intense debate in many parts of the world. It involves the marriage between two individuals of the same sex, either as a secular civil ceremony or in a religious setting.

Historical Perspective

Historically, same-sex marriage was largely taboo and illegal. However, the late 20th and early 21st centuries saw a shift in societal attitudes. The Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001. Since then, numerous countries including Canada, Spain, South Africa, and the United States have followed suit, reflecting changing societal norms and growing acceptance of diverse sexual orientations.

The Argument for Same-Sex Marriage

Advocates for same-sex marriage argue that it is a matter of civil rights and equality. They posit that denying individuals the right to marry based on their sexual orientation is discriminatory. Moreover, legal recognition of same-sex marriage provides couples with legal protections and benefits, such as inheritance rights and access to healthcare benefits, which heterosexual couples take for granted.

The Counter Argument

Opponents, on the other hand, often cite religious, moral, or societal reasons against same-sex marriage. They argue that marriage, traditionally, has been between a man and a woman and that changing this definition could have negative societal implications. Others believe that children raised in same-sex households may face challenges, despite numerous studies indicating no developmental differences between children raised in same-sex and heterosexual households.

Impact on Society

The legalization of same-sex marriage has had significant societal implications. It has challenged traditional norms and values, leading to a broader discussion about the nature of marriage, family, and love. It has also been a catalyst for increased visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals, although this varies significantly across different cultures and societies.

In conclusion, same-sex marriage represents a significant shift in societal norms and values. As society continues to evolve, it is essential to continue this discourse with respect and understanding, acknowledging the diverse experiences and perspectives that exist. Regardless of personal beliefs, the recognition of same-sex marriage in law is fundamentally about equality and human rights. It is a testament to how far we have come as a society in recognizing and respecting diversity, but it also underscores the ongoing challenges that remain in achieving true equality for all.

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The Legalization of Same-Sex Marriages, Essay Example

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Introduction

Equality in marriage has periodically been challenged, as in earlier resistance to racially-mixed marriage as recognized by law. In more recent decades, the emergence of the gay rights movement has generated a new, and seemingly more widely debated, issue of the rights of those of the same gender to legally marry. Even as states increasingly legislate same-sex marriages, there remains controversy, and of kinds by no means limited to extremist religious factions opposing equally extreme liberal agendas. While marriage is in the United States a legal, and not necessarily religious, state, the reality is that it remains inextricably linked in the popular mind to faith-based beliefs and consequently ideas of morality. Those who find homosexuality ethically and/or religiously unacceptable, then, oppose legal sanctions at least ostensibly removed from such concerns. Supporters, conversely, typically discard faith-based argument and assert that same-sex marriage is, or must be considered., nothing more than a reflection of the civil liberties enjoyed by all citizens. Nonetheless, and notwithstanding the intermittent progress and morality-based objections, it is this irrefutable element of civil rights which must eventually result in same-sex marriage as legal in all states.

Not unexpectedly, the movement for same-sex marriage coincides, or follows closely behind, the emergence in society of gay people as an accepted population entitled to the rights shared by all. More specifically, it was only relatively recently that homosexuality itself was, if not “legalized,” decriminalized. Illinois was the first state to do so in 1961, erasing longstanding laws which subjected gay people to imprisonment for being homosexual. By 1969, the notorious Stonewall Riots in New York City made a statement all their own. To be decriminalized was not acceptable, for there remained vast stigma and discrimination, and Stonewall essentially lit the fuse on extraordinary numbers of gay men and women openly declaring themselves as such, and demanding full recognition as citizens in every regard (Lahey, Alderson, 2009, p. 17). It would not be long before marriage became an issue, and it is interesting to note how this seems to have taken the entire judicial system by surprise. In 1971, the Minnesota Supreme Court rendered the first verdict in regard to same-sex marriage, denying the right in the Baker v Nelson case. What is significant here was the reasoning. On one level, and pragmatically, the Court affirmed that the Minnesota statutes only held to marriage as being a union between a man and a women. On another, and in a manner that would prove ultimately self-defeating, the Court actually employed the 1967 landmark case of Loving v Virginia, in which the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional any law prohibiting interracial marriage. The Minnesota court held that, in a constitutional sense, homosexuality was removed from issues of racial discrimination (Cantor, 2006, p. 117). It seems likely that the Court genuinely was unaware of its indicating the precise grounds upon which gay rights, and same-sex marriage, would be validated.

By the 1980s and 1990s, there would be both rising momentum for same-sex marriage and proportionate backlash. There is, in no uncertain terms, no tracing of the trajectory of same-sex marriage legislation without an inevitable noting of the potent social forces generated by it, and in a multitude of directions. Gay men and women themselves largely resisted ideas of legally marrying because it was perceived as capitulating to heterosexual standards of normalcy (Andryszewski, 2007, p. 15). Certainly, more urbanized gays were seeking to marry, but the right itself polarized gay politics, a circumstance easily exploited by biased factions determined to “protect” the perceived sanctity of marriage. As the alternating movements and tides of opinion evolved, stark contrasts have been noted, some of which belie the likely sense in many gay people that the days of overt discrimination are over. For instance, data from a 2000 Gallup poll revealed that over 80 percent of Americans favored hate crime legislation in regard to violence against gays, a sentiment seemingly revealing full social acceptance. At the same time, research in the same time frame points to extreme division as to same-sex marriage, with most Americans then only supporting civil unions (Mucciaroni, 2009, p. 21). The contrast is made more vivid when the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) comes into play. While a great many circumstances clearly fueled the creation of this extraordinary piece of legislation, the timing indicates that it was Hawaii’s rulings in 1996, declaring that denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples is gender discrimination, that prompted it. Under DOMA, Congress unequivocally defined marriage as a legal union between a man and a woman. The bill also provided that one state did not have to recognize a same-sex marriage permitted in another (Cahill, 2004, p. 6). DOMA’s history has been as rife with conflict as may be fully anticipated from a statute so blatantly infusing elements of faith-based ideology and tradition into law, and President Obama’s 2011 calling for its revocation is hardly surprising. It is nonetheless crucial to comprehend just how recently this legislation was created, and how it reflected social opinion on an immense scale.

Linked to DOMA is and was the American “middle ground” of the civil union. Created by the Vermont legislature in 1999, and largely supported by gay activists at the time, the civil union was inescapably an effort to mediate, or appease those gays insistent upon legal marriage. Vermont admitted that the benefits of marriage could not be reasonably denied to gay men and women, and the civil union does enable certain degrees of advantage, and approximately 300 “rights” as granted by marriage are provided. These range from protection under domestic violence provisions to the settlement of property (Cahill, Tobias, 2007, p. 70). As has been widely noted, however, legal marriage, and largely due to its lengthy history as a product of both legal and social interests, offers benefits no list of provisions may duplicate. If initially embracing the civil union as an important shift in American thinking and legislation, it was not long before gays recognized that it actually promotes a non-equality, or a separate-but-equal circumstance. Then, further issues arise from the DOMA-related fact that states are by no means legally obliged to honor civil unions granted in other states. It is consequently plain that, given how recently all of these efforts and responses have arisen and collided, the momentum behind the same-sex marriage movement would carry on and increase.

Today, nine states and the District of Columbia administer legal, same-sex marriage, and polls indicate that the subject is slowly finding increased favor among Americans (Cohen, 2013). If this is encouraging, it is nonetheless striking in revealing the persistence of traditional thinking as hindering essential civil progress. There can be no rational refuting of fundamental beliefs which compel certain people to view homosexuality as an aberration, a sin, or a harmful element to the society, simply because such beliefs are accepted as personal freedoms. It is then all the more ironic that the same constitutional liberties allowing for such beliefs are denied in regard to others, and this is ultimately the essential component of same-sex marriage legislation.

There is ample reason to accept that, in the bulk of the history of Western civilization and in that of the United States, marriage has typically been viewed as a sacred union, one sanctioned by both the law and the prevailing ethical and religious forces of the nation. History is powerful, in that it sets a kind of precedent unto itself. Then, people are certainly entitled to subscribe to religious or ethical principles which denounce homosexuality. They are not, however, entitled to deny freedoms which are written into the Constitution for all or, as in the case of same-sex marriage, interpret lacks of gender specificity within the laws as evidence of unstated intent. For too long, traditional concepts blithely accepted as rationale have been permitted to deny justice to a certain population, just as for centuries mainstream thinking denied minorities basic human rights. Same-sex marriage is both a relatively new movement and one marked by social and political turbulence, but none of that must be allowed to obfuscate the central reality. As gay men and women are citizens, they are fully entitled to the rights of all citizens. If objections arise due to moral feelings, such feelings may not be allowed to interfere with what is legally established, enjoyed by the majority, and correct for all. When all is said and done, it is this irrefutable element of civil rights which must eventually result in same-sex marriage as being legal in all states.

References

Andryszewski, T. (2007). Same-Sex Marriage: Moral Wrong Or Civil Right? Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century books.

Cahill, S. R. (2004). Same Sex Marriage In The United States: Focus On The Facts . Lanham: Lexington Books.

Cahill, S. R., & Tobias, S. (2007). Policy Issues Affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgender Families. AnnArbor: University of Michigan Press.

Cantor, D. (2006). Same-Sex Marriage: The Legal and Psychological Evolution in America . Middletyon: Wesleyan University Press.

Cohen, J. (2013). “Gay marriage support hits new high in Post-ABC poll.” The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/03/18/gay-marriage-support-hits-new-high-in-post-abc-poll/

Lahey, K. A., & Alderson, K. (2009). Same-Sex Marriage . Toronto: Insomniac Press.

Mucciaroni, G. (2009). Same Sex, Different Politics: Success and Failure in the Struggles over Gay Rights. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

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Same-Sex Marriage: Sociopolitical Essay

Introduction, perspectives on same sex marriages.

Homosexuality or the gay culture has been a controversial topic of discussion in virtually every community in the world. Different people subscribe to various traditions rooted in religion or community customs that have varied views on gaysim. Religion condemns and does not all accommodate people who have sexual relation with people of the same gender (Wardle, 2003, p106).

Islam, Christianity and even the traditional religions in Africa or elsewhere in the world have perennially had consensus on homosexual relations. Though some Christian denominations in the UK have relaxed a bit and consecrated gay bishops as church leaders, conservatism still remains in the church as far as gaysim is concerned.

Even contemporary communities like that of the US where people have embraced liberal tendencies and freedom of people to do what they like is prevalent, homosexuality and same sex unions are frowned upon (Pinello, 2006, p 69). Religion plays an important role in such popular views but again, it shows how deeply rooted the notion that only heterosexual relationships are normal is.

According to the Lesbian and Gay Movement, Same sex marriages have become political pet subjects alongside other ethical issues like abortion (1989, p. 35). In Europe and the United States, it is one of the campaign perspectives that voters carefully consider before voting for a candidate to elective office.

Same sex marriages or unions elicit strong emotions and the perspectives through which it can be looked at are numerous (Staver, 2004, p 278). Personal opinion which shapes popular opinion is one of them. Homosexuality and the constitution is another one as is the rights of individuals to choose what suits then so long as no one is directly affected. Religion too forms one of the major platforms on which same sex marriages can be discussed.

Throughout history, attempts have been made to make it legal for same sex couples to be recognized by the law and live a normal life like that of heterosexual couples (David & Caroline, 2009, p. 96). The campaigns have gained momentum in the 21 st century and a number of countries have succumbed to the pressure to legalize or are seriously considering relaxing the stringent laws that bar same sex unions.

Popular opinion on same sex marriage

Views about same sex marriages are closely linked to the question of if homosexuality is a choice or innate driven feeling (Wilcox & Rimmerman, 2007, p. 11). A majority of populations in virtually all countries of the world have an unfavorable view about same sex marriages. However many people are warming up to the idea that two people of the same gender can be married and can raise a family together.

According to Wilcox & Rimmerman, vies about same sex marriages have thawed same way the inferiority attitude towards black people changed over time. In the case of racism, it is a matter of choice for a white person to discriminate a black person for example (Alderson & Lahey, 2002, p. 55). There was absolutely no biological evidence supporting that. However, there is biological evidence nowadays supporting homosexual behavior in human beings; because of that, the public has started to accommodate the idea of same sex marriages.

Same sex marriages and the constitution

The constitution recognizes people’s universal and fundamental right to marry (Gerstmann, 2004 p. 3). Same sex marriage is a constitutional issue whose debate has not reached any logical conclusion. There is debate if same sex coupled should also enjoy the right to adopt children as heterosexual couples.

Whether they should be treated as minority groups same as those based on race, gender, ethnicity or national origin (Fuchs & Boele, 2003). Questions are also abounding if the gay activists are asking too much and if they are asking the government to endorse homosexuality (Bardes & Shelley, 2008, p 28).

Netherlands was the first country to legalize same sex marriages in April 2001. Many other countries have so far allowed quasi-marital same sex, like South Africa, Norway, Sweden and Iceland (Nocotera, 1993, p 75). In the United States, the constitutionality of same sex marriages as said earlier has created a confusion that has provided little direction. The issue is characterized by court rulings which partially advocate for same sex marriages while technically there is no law enacted to that effect (Brewer, 2008, p. 87).

For instance, in 1993, the Supreme Court of Hawaii ruled that the ban on same sex marriages violated the equality that the same constitution sought to protect. Similarly, the Supreme Court of Vermont rule that same sex coupled were entitled to all the constitutional rights that heterosexual couples enjoyed if not marriage itself (Gerstmann, 2004, p. 5). Such court decisions add to the complexity and unclear direction surrounding the issue of same sex marriages.

Religion and same sex marriages

Christians, Muslims and all other religious people like any other people in the constitution have their own individual views about what the society should be. Many religious Americans believe that there is only one side of the debate about same sex marriage (Saucier & Cawman, 2004 as quoted in Wilcox & Rimmerman, 2007, p. 106).

For Christians who avidly follow bible teachings, it is immoral beyond words to condone gaysim leave alone same sex marriages. According to Wilcox and Rimmerman, the bible has not always been definitive on a numerous issues in the society.

However when it comes to gaysim the book minces no words. The Bibles is absolutely clear about the immorality posed by allowing same sex marriages. Both practicing and believing Christians can never accommodate the view that marriage between two people of the same gender is sanctioned by traditional beliefs (Wilcox & Rimmerman, 2007, p. 105). Gay activists have always countered that the right to be gay is a civil right as well as a religious right (Andryszewski, p. 10).

There are many more numerous views about same sex marriages in the United States and world over (Pinello, 2006, p 86). Homosexuals have a point when they argue that they have rights as individuals and couples under the constitution to do whatever they feel is right for them.

At the same time, constitution that protects these individuals is rooted in strong religious traditions that it will be hard to go against (Cahill, 2004, p. 209). Lack of political will has also derailed any progress that gay people could have made due to fear of political backlash.

Gay people have however managed to piece together different sections of legislations and court rulings in many countries and the US that help them live a near normal life. They can jointly own property, adopt children and live together without fear of attack (Stockland, 2007, p 47). For the time being, they have to contend with the reality that most people are against their instance that they be recognized under the law.

Alderson, K. & Lahey, A. K. (2002). Same-sex marriage: the personal and the political. London: Greewood Publishing Group

Andryszewski, T. (2008). Same-Sex Marriage: Moral Wrong Or Civil Right?. Minneapolis: Twenty-First Books.

Bardes, A.B., Shelley, C. M. & Schmidt, W. S. (2008). American Government & Politics Today . London: Cengage Learning.

Brewer, P. (2008). Value war: public opinion and the politics of gay rights . London: Rowman Littlefield.

Cahill, R. S., (2004). Same-sex marriage in the United States: focus on the facts . Oxford: Lexington Books

David, K. & Caroline, S. (2009). Choices in Relationships: An Introduction to Marriage and the Family . New York: Cengage Learning

Fuchs, A & Boele, W. (2003). Legal recognition of same-sex couples in Europe . New York: Intersentia nv.

Gerstmann, E. (2004) . Same-sex marriage and the Constitution. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (1989) . Same-sex relationships: a Christian contribution for discussion . NY: LGCM.

Nocotera, M. A. (1993). Interpersonal communication in friend and mate relationships . New York: Suny Press.

Pinello, R. D. (2006). America’s struggle for same-sex marriage . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Staver, D. M. (2004). Same-sex marriage: putting every household at risk . Nashville: B&H Publishing Group.

Stockland, M. P. (2007). Same-Sex Marriage . Chicago: ABDO A family Educational Publishers.

Wardle, D. L. (2003). Marriage and same-sex unions: a debate . New York: Greenwood Publishing Group.

Wilcox, C. & Rimmerman, A. C. (2007). The politics of same-sex marriage . Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

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Same Sex Marriage Argumentative Essay, with Outline

Published by gudwriter on January 4, 2021 January 4, 2021

Example 1: Gay Marriages Argumentative Essay Outline

Introduction.

Same-sex marriage should be legal because it is a fundamental human right. To have experts write for you a quality paper on same sex marriage, seek help from a trusted academic writing service where you can buy research proposals online with ease and one you can be sure of getting the best possible assistance available

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Paragraph 1:

Same-sex marriage provides legal rights protection to same sex couples on such matters as taxes, finances, and health care.

It gives them the right to become heirs to their spouses and enjoy tax breaks just like heterosexual married couples.
It makes it possible for them to purchase properties together, open joint accounts, and sign documents together as couples.

Paragraph 2:

Same sex marriage allows two people in love to happily live together.

Homosexuals deserve to be in love just like heterosexuals.
The definition of marriage does not suggest that it should only be an exclusive union between two people of opposite sexes.

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Paragraph 3:

Same sex marriage gives homosexual couples the right to start families.

Gay and lesbian partners should be allowed to start families and have their own children.
A family should ideally have parents and children.
It is not necessary that the parents be a male and female.

Paragraph 4:

Same sex marriage does not harm the institution of marriage and is potentially more stable.

Legalization of civil unions or gay marriages does not negatively impact abortion rates, divorce, or marriage.
Heterosexual marriages have a slightly higher dissolution rate on average than opposite sex marriages.

Paragraph 5:

Opponents of same sex marriage may argue that it is important for children to have a father and mother for a balanced upbringing.

They hold that homosexual couples only have one gender influence on children.
They forget that that children under the parental care of same sex couples get to mingle with both male and female genders in various social places.

Paragraph 6:

Opponents may also argue that same-sex marriages reduce sanctity of marriage.

To them, marriage is a religious and traditional commitment and ceremony.
Unfortunately, such arguments treat marriage as a man-wife union only.
They fail to recognize that there are people who do not ascribe to any tradition(s) or religions.
Same sex marriage is a human right that should be enjoyed just like traditional heterosexual marriages.
It protects the legal rights of lesbian and gay couples and allows them to actualize their love in matrimony.
It enables them to exercise their right to start families and bring up children.
It is only fair that all governments consider legalizing same sex marriages.

Read on the best motivational speech ideas .

Argumentative Essay on Same Sex Marriage

For many years now, same-sex marriage has been a controversial topic. While some countries have legalized the practice, others still consider it not right and treat it as illegal. Same-sex marriage is defined as a marriage or union between two people of the same sex, such as a man and a man. Some countries have broadened their perspective on this issue even though for many years, it has never been legally acknowledged, with some societies even considering it a taboo. The United Kingdom, Spain, France, Argentina, the Netherlands, and recently the United States are some of the countries that have legalized it (Winter, Forest & Senac, 2017). Irrespective of any arguments, same-sex marriage should be legal because it is a fundamental human right.

First, same-sex marriage, if recognized by society, provides legal rights protection to same sex couples on such matters as taxes, finances, and health care. If people live together in a homosexual relationship without being legally married, they do not enjoy the security to protect what they have worked for and saved together. In case one of them dies, the surviving partner would have no right over the property under the deceased’s name even if they both funded its acquisition (Winter, Forest & Senac, 2017). Legalizing same-sex unions would cushion homosexual partners from such unfortunate situations. They would have the right to become heirs to their spouses and enjoy tax breaks just like heterosexual married couples. Legalization would also make it possible for them to purchase properties together, open joint accounts, and sign documents together as couples.

Same sex marriage also allows two people in love to become one in a matrimonial union and live happily together. Denying homosexual couples the right to marry is thus denying them the right to be in love just like heterosexuals do. Moreover, the definition of marriage does not suggest that it should only be an exclusive union between two people of opposite sexes. According to Gerstmann (2017), marriage is a formally or legally recognized union between two people in a personal relationship. As per this definition, people should be allowed to marry once they are in love with each other irrespective of their genders. Reducing marriage to a union between a man and woman is thus a direct infringement into the rights of homosexuals.

Additionally, gay marriages give homosexual couples the right to start families. Just like heterosexual couples, gay and lesbian partners should be allowed to start families and have their own children. Essentially, a family should ideally have parents and children and it is not necessary that the parents be a male and female. Same sex partners can easily adopt and bring up children if their marriage is legalized and recognized by the society in which they live (Gerstmann, 2017). As one would concur, even some heterosexual couples are not able to sire their own children and resort to adopting one or even more. This is a right that should be extended to same sex couples too given that they may not be able to give birth on their own.

Further, same sex marriage does no harm whatsoever to the institution of marriage, and is potentially more stable. According to a 2009 study, legalization of civil unions or gay marriages does not in any way negatively impact abortion rates, divorce, or marriage (Langbein & Yost, 2009). This makes it quite uncalled for to argue against or prohibit gay marriages. In yet another study, only 1.1 percent of legally married gay couples end their relationships as compared to the 2 percent annual divorce rate among opposite-sex couples (Badgett & Herman, 2011). This implies that heterosexual marriages have a slightly higher dissolution rate on average than opposite sex marriages. It could then be argued that gay marriages are more stable than traditional man-woman marriages. The two types of marriages should thus be given equal chance because neither affects the other negatively. They also have more or less equal chances of succeeding if legally recognized and accepted.

Opponents of same sex marriage may argue that it is important for children to have a father and a mother. They may say that for children to have a good balance in their upbringing, they should be influenced by a father and a mother in their developmental years. Such arguments hold that homosexual couples only have one gender influence over the lives of children and that this is less fulfilling (Badgett, 2009). However, the arguments fail to recognize that children under the parental care of same sex couples get to mingle with both male and female genders in various social places. At school, the children get to be cared for and mentored by both male and female teachers who more or less serve almost the same role as parents.

Those who are opposed to same sex unions may also argue that such marriages reduce sanctity of marriage. To them, marriage is a religious and traditional commitment and ceremony that is held very sacred by people. They contend that there is need to do everything possible to preserve marriage because as an institution, it has been degrading slowly over time. Their concern is that traditional marriages are being devalued by same sex marriages which are swaying people away from being married and instead choosing to live with same sex partners (Nagle, 2010). It is clear here that such arguments treat marriage as a man-woman union only and are thus not cognizant of the true meaning of marriage. Moreover, they fail to recognize that traditions and religions should not be used against same sex couples because there are people who do not ascribe to any tradition(s) or religions.

Same sex marriage is a human right that should be enjoyed just like traditional heterosexual marriages. It protects the legal rights of lesbian and gay couples and allows them the well-deserved opportunity of actualizing their love in matrimony. In addition, it enables them to exercise their right to start families and bring up children. Arguments made against this form of marriage, such as that it undermines traditional marriages, are based on opinions and not facts. Moreover, it is not important for a child to have a father and a mother because there are other places in which they actively interact with people of different sexes. As such, it is only fair that all governments consider legalizing gay marriages.

Badgett, M. V., & Herman, J. L. (2011). Patterns of relationship recognition by same-sex couples in the United States [PDF]. The Williams Institute. Retrieved from https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Marriage-Dissolution-FINAL.pdf .

Badgett, M. V. (2009). When gay people get married: what happens when societies legalize same-sex marriage . New York, NY: NYU Press.

Gerstmann, E. (2017). Same-sex marriage and the constitution . New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Langbein, L., & Yost, M. A. (2009). Same-sex marriage and negative externalities. Social Science Quarterly , 90(2), 292-308.

Nagle, J. (2010). Same-sex marriage: the debate . New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group.

Winter, B., Forest, M., & Senac, R. (2017). Global perspectives on same-sex marriage: a neo-institutional approach . New York, NY: Springer.

Explore a persuasive essay about strengthening community handled by our tutors following the prompt provided.

Example 2: Sample Essay Outline on Same Sex Marriages

Thesis: Same sex marriage, just like opposite sex marriage, should be legal.

Pros of Same Sex Marriage

Same sex couples are better at parenting.

Children brought up by same sex couples do better in terms of family cohesion and overall health.
Children under the guardianship of lesbian mothers perform better academically and socially.

Same sex marriage reduces divorce rates.

The divorce rates in a state were reduced significantly after the state legalized gay marriages. Higher divorce rates were recorded in states where gay marriages are prohibited.
Divorce is not good for family cohesion.

Same sex marriage increases psychological wellbeing.

Bisexuals, gays, and lesbians feel socially rejected if society views same-sex marriages as illegal or evil.
After some states banned this kind of marriage, bisexuals, gays, and lesbians living there experienced increased anxiety disorders.

Cons of Same Sex Marriage

Same sex marriages may diminish heterosexual marriages.

It could be possible for children in homosexual families to think that same sex unions are more fulfilling.
They might want to become homosexuals upon growing up.

For a holistic development, a child should have both mother and father.

Absence of a father or a mother in a family leaves a gaping hole in the life of a child.
A child needs to learn how to relate with both male and female genders right from when they are born.

Other non-typical unions may be encouraged by same sex unions.

People who get involved in such other acts as bestiality and incest may feel encouraged.
They might start agitating for their “right” to get married to animals for instance.

Why Same Sex Marriage Should Be Legal

Paragraph 7:

Marriage is a fundamental human right.

All individuals should enjoy marriage as a fundamental right.
Denying one the right to marry a same sex partner is akin to denying them their basic right.

Paragraph 8:

Marriage is a concept based on love.

It is inaccurate to confine marriage to be only between a man and woman.
Marriage is a union between two people in love with each other, their gender or sexual orientation notwithstanding.

Paragraph 9:

opponents of same-sex marriage argue that a relationship between same-sex couples cannot be considered marriage since marriage is the union between a man and a woman.

However, this definitional argument is both conclusory and circular.
It is in no way logical to challenge gay marriage based on this archaic marriage definition.

Same sex marriage should be legalized by all countries in the world. In the U.S., the debate surrounding its legalization should die off because it is irrelevant. People have the right to marry whoever they like whether they are of the same sex.

Same Sex Marriage Essay Example

The idea of same sex marriage is one of the topics that have been widely debated in the United States of America. It has often been met with strong opposition since the majority of the country’s citizens are Christians and Christianity views the idea as evil. On the other hand, those who believe it is right and should be legalized have provided a number of arguments to support it, including that it is a fundamental human right. This debate is still ongoing even after a Supreme Court ruling legalized this type of marriage. However, this debate is unnecessary because same sex marriage, just like opposite sex marriage, should be legal.

It has been proven through studies that same sex couples are better at parenting. A University of Melbourne 2014 study indicated that compared to children raised by both mother and father, children brought up by same sex couples do better in terms of family cohesion and overall health. Similarly, the journal Pediatrics published a study in 2010 stating that children under the guardianship of lesbian mothers performed better academically and socially (Gerstmann, 2017). The children also experienced fewer social problems.

Same sex marriages also reduce divorce rates. According to Gerstmann (2017), the divorce rates in a state were reduced significantly after the state legalized gay marriages. This was as per the analysis of the before and after divorce statistics. Likewise, higher divorce rates were recorded in states where gay marriages are prohibited. Generally, divorce is not good for family cohesion especially in terms of caring for children. Children need to grow up under the care of both parents hence the need for their parents to stay together.

In addition, same sex marriage increases psychological wellbeing. This is because bisexuals, gays, and lesbians feel socially rejected if society views same-sex marriages as illegal or evil. A study report released in 2010 showed that after some states banned this kind of marriage, bisexuals, gays, and lesbians living there experienced a 248% rise in generalized anxiety disorders, a 42% increase in alcohol-use disorders, and a 37% rise in mood disorders (Winter, Forest & Senac, 2017). In this respect, allowing such marriages would make them feel normal and accepted by society.

Same sex marriages may diminish heterosexual marriages and the longstanding marriage culture in society. Perhaps, it could be possible for children in homosexual families to think that same sex unions are more fulfilling and enjoyable than opposite-sex relationships. As a result, they might want to become homosexuals upon growing up. This would mean that standardized marriages between opposite sexes face a bleak future (Nagle, 2010). Such a trend might threaten to throw the human race to extinction because there would be no procreation in future generations.

Same sex unions also fall short because for a holistic development, a child should have both a mother and a father. Absence of a father or a mother in a family leaves a gaping hole in the life of a child. The two major genders in the world are male and female and a child needs to learn how to relate with both of them right from when they are born (Nagle, 2010). A father teaches them how to live alongside males while a mother teaches them how to do the same with females.

Further, other non-typical unions may be encouraged by same sex unions. If the marriages are accepted worldwide, people who get involved in such other acts as bestiality and incest may feel encouraged (Winter, Forest & Senac, 2017). They might even start agitating for their “right” to get married to animals, for instance. This possibility would water down and deinstitutionalize the whole concept of consummation and marriage. This would further diminish the existence of heterosexual marriages as people would continue to find less and less importance in them.

Same sex unions should be legal because marriage is a fundamental human right. It has been stated by the United States Supreme Court fourteen times since 1888 that all individuals should enjoy marriage as a fundamental right (Hertz & Doskow, 2016). In making these judgments, the Supreme Court has repeatedly stated that the Due Process Clause protects as one of the liberties the freedom to make personal choice in matters of marriage. The Court has maintained that this free choice is important as it allows free men to pursue happiness in an orderly manner. Thus, denying one the right to marry a same sex partner is akin to denying them their basic right.

People should also be legally allowed to get into same sex unions since marriage is a concept based on love. It is traditionally inaccurate to confine marriage to be only between a man and a woman. The working definition of marriage should be that it is a union between two people in love with each other, their gender or sexual orientation notwithstanding (Hertz & Doskow, 2016). Making it an exclusively man-woman affair trashes the essence of love in romantic relationships. If a man loves a fellow man, they should be allowed to marry just like a man and a woman in love may do.

As already alluded to, opponents of same-sex marriage argue that a relationship between same-sex couples cannot be considered marriage since marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Based on this traditional definition of marriage, they contend that gay and lesbian couples should not marry. However, as noted by Carpenter (2005), this definitional argument is both conclusory and circular and is thus seriously flawed and fallacious. It is in no way logical to challenge gay marriage based on this archaic marriage definition. That marriage only happens when one man and one woman come together in a matrimony is a constricted view of the institution of marriage. Moreover, there are no reasons accompanying the definition showing that it is the right one or should be the only one (Carpenter, 2005). Therefore, it should be expanded to include same-sex couples. The lack of reasons to support it makes it defenseless thus weak.

Same sex marriages should be legalized by all countries in the world. In the U.S., the debate surrounding its legalization should die off because it is irrelevant. People have the right to marry whoever they like whether they are of the same sex or not. Just like love can sprout between a man and a woman, so can it between a man and a fellow man or a woman and a fellow woman. There is absolutely no need to subject gays, lesbians, and bisexuals to unnecessary psychological torture by illegalizing same sex marriage.

Carpenter, D. (2005). Bad arguments against gay marriage. Florida Coastal Law Review , VII , 181-220.

Gerstmann, E. (2017). Same-sex marriage and the constitution . New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Hertz, F., & Doskow, E. (2016). Making it legal: a guide to same-sex marriage, domestic partnerships & civil unions . Berkeley, CA: Nolo.

Nagle, J. (2010). Same-sex marriage: the debate . New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group.

Winter, B., Forest, M., & Senac, R. (2017). Global perspectives on same-sex marriage: a neo-institutional approach . New York, NY: Springer.

Example 3: Same Sex Marriage Essay

Same Sex Marriage Essay- Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage. Discuss how the idea of gay marriage has changed over the last decade and show the progression of the movement.

Changing Attitudes on Same Sex Marriage Essay Outline

Introduction

Thesis: Gay marriage was regarded as an abomination in the early years, but in recent times the attitude of the society towards same-sex marriage is gradually changing.

In 1965, 70% of Americans were opposed to same-sex marriage.

They cited its harmfulness to the American life.
Prevalence of AIDS among gay people further increased this opposition.

Social gay movements contributed to change in the attitude of the society towards gay marriage.

Gay movements increased the exposure of members of the society to gay marriage while showing their sufferings.
Through social movements, the society saw the need for equality and fair treatment of gay persons.

Political movements in support of gay marriage have as well contributed to change in the attitude of the society towards gay marriage.

Political bodies and politicians pushed for equality of gay people in efforts to garner political mileage.
The influence of politicians changed the attitude of the society towards gay marriage.

The incidence of gay people, particularly in the United States has contributed to change in the attitude of the society towards gay marriage.

Increase in the number of gay persons pushed people into accepting gay marriage.
The media contributed in gathering compassion from members of the society by evidencing the sufferings of gay people.

The judiciary upheld the legitimacy of same-sex marriage.

In 2014, 42 court rulings were made in favor of gay marriage.
There are more than 30 states today with policies in support of same-sex marriage.

The increased push for the freedom of marriage contributed to changing the attitude on gay marriage.

The Supreme Court ruling in 1987 that stopped governments from restricting the freedom of marriage worked in favor of same-sex marriage.

Paragraph 7:

Supporters of same sex marriage have also increasingly argued that people should be allowed to marry not necessarily based on their gender but on the love between them.

Restricting marriage to a union between heterosexual couples only creates a biased view of human sexuality.
An adult should be allowed the freewill to seek for the fulfillment of love by starting a relationship with a partner of whichever gender of their choosing.

Gay marriage has been the subject of social, political and religious debates for many years but over the past two decades, the attitude of the society towards same-sex marriage has changed. Social gay movements and increased incidence of gay people has compelled the community to accept and tolerate gay marriages. The judiciary has as well contributed to this change in attitude by pushing the freedom and right to marriage.

Changing Attitudes on Same Sex Marriage Sample Essay

In the early years, gay marriage was an abomination and received criticism from many members of society. The principal reason as to why many people in society were objected to gay marriage was that it went against religious and societal values and teachings (Decoo, 2014). However, over the past three decades, the perception of society towards the practice has changed. The degree of its social tolerance and acceptance has gradually improved. In the 2000s, numerous social and political lobby groups pushed for a change in insolences towards gay marriage (Decoo, 2014). Though these lobby groups have tried to advocate for the rights of gay people, their principal focus was to change people’s attitudes towards homosexuality.

According to a study conducted in the year 1965 investigating the attitudes of Americans towards gay marriage, seventy percent of the respondents were opposed to the idea of same-sex marriage citing its harmfulness to the American life. Most Americans felt that the practice went against the social and moral values of the American society. In the years between 1975 and 1977, the number of Americans who were not objected to gay marriage increased (Decoo, 2014). However, this number decreased in the years of 1980, when the prevalence of AIDS among gay people hit alarming levels. In the years that followed, the attitudes of the American society towards gay marriage rapidly changed.

The rise of gay social movements has contributed significantly to a change in attitude of the society towards gay marriage. In the early years, people were not exposed to issues of same-sex marriage, but the gay social movements focused on increasing the exposure of gay marriage, while advocating for their equal treatment (Keleher & Smith, 2018). These movements were able to reveal the injustices and unfair treatment that gays were exposed to, and how such unfair treatment tarnishes the image of the society (Keleher & Smith, 2018). The movements persuaded the society to embark on ways of addressing injustices meted out on gay people. Through highlighting these injustices, members of the society acknowledged the need for reforms to bring about impartiality and non-discrimination in marriage.

Political movements in support of gay marriage have as well contributed to changing the attitude of the society towards the practice. As a matter of fact, one of the strategies that gay social movements employed in their advocacy for gay rights were political maneuvering (Demock, Doherty & Killey, 2013). The lobby groups approached aspiring politicians, who would advocate for equal rights of gays to garner political mileage. With time, politicians would use the subject to attack their competitors who were opposed to the idea of same sex marriage (Demock, Doherty & Killey, 2013). This increased political support for gay marriage influenced members of the society into changing their attitude towards the same.

The ever increasing number of gays, particularly in the United States, has contributed to a change in the attitude of the world society towards gay marriage. As the number of gays increased in the U.S., it became hard for members of the society to continue opposing this form of marriage (Demock, Doherty & Killey, 2013). Many families had at least one or more of their family members who would turn out to be gay. The perception of gay people by such families would therefore change upon learning that their loved ones were also gay (Demock, Doherty & Killey, 2013). The media also played a significant role in gathering compassion from the members of the society by portraying the injustices that gay people experienced (Demock, Doherty & Killey, 2013). The society would as a result be compelled to sympathize with gays and lesbians and thus change their stance on same-sex marriage.

Further, the judiciary has also contributed to the change in the attitude of the society towards gay marriage. There were states in the U.S. that initially illegalized same sex marriages, prompting gay people to file discrimination lawsuits (Coontz, 2014). Reports indicate that in the year 2014, there were more than 42 court rulings that ruled in favor of same-sex couples (Coontz, 2014). Some critics of same-sex marriage termed these rulings as judicial activism. They argued that the judiciary was frustrating the will of the American society, which was opposed to same-sex marriage (Coontz, 2014). Following these rulings and the increased advocacy for equality and fair treatment of gay people, some states implemented policies is support of same-sex marriage (Coontz, 2014). Today, the entire United States treats the practice as legal, as was determined by the Supreme Court back in 2015.

The increased push for the freedom of marriage has also contributed to changing the attitude on gay marriage. In the early years, there were states, especially in the United States, that opposed interracial marriages, so that a white could not marry an African-American, for instance (Coontz, 2014). In the years before 1967, there were states that restricted people with tuberculosis or prisoners from getting married. Other states also discouraged employers from hiring married women. However, in 1987 the Supreme Court ruled that state governments had no right to deny people of their freedom of marriage (Coontz, 2014). When such laws were regarded as violations of human rights, gay people also termed the restriction of same-sex marriage as a violation of their liberty and freedom to marry.

Supporters of same sex marriage have also increasingly argued that people should be allowed to marry not necessarily based on their gender but on the love between them and their decision as two adults. According to such people, restricting marriage to a union between heterosexual couples only creates a biased view of human sexuality. For example, they point out that this extreme view fails to acknowledge that gay couples also derive fulfilment from their romantic relationships (Steorts, 2015). They additionally contend that an adult should be allowed the freewill to seek for this fulfillment by starting a relationship with a partner of whichever gender of their choosing. Whether they love a man or a woman should not be anybody’s concern. The argument also notes that gay couples who have come out clearly demonstrate that they are happy in their relationships.

Gay marriage has been the subject of social, political, and religious debates for many years but over the past two decades, the attitude of the society towards it has significantly changed. Social gay movements and increased numbers of gay people has compelled the community to accept and tolerate the practice. The judiciary has as well contributed to this change in attitude by pushing the freedom and right to marriage, thereby finally making the practice legal in the United States.

Coontz, S. (2014). “Why America changed its mind on gay marriageable”. CNN . Retrieved June 23, 2020 from http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/13/opinion/coontz-same-sex-marriage/index.html

Decoo, E. (2014). Changing attitudes toward homosexuality in the United States from 1977 to 2012 . Provo, UT: Brigham Young University.

Demock, M., Doherty, C., & Kiley, J. (2013). Growing support for gay marriage: changed minds and changing demographics. Gen , 10 , 1965-1980.

Keleher, A. G., & Smith, E. (2008). Explaining the growing support for gay and lesbian equality since 1990. In Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, Boston, MA .

Steorts, J. L. (2015). “An equal chance at love: why we should recognize same-sex marriage”. National Review . Retrieved June 23, 2020 from https://www.nationalreview.com/2015/05/yes-same-sex-marriage-about-equality-courts-should-not-decide/

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Essay on Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage

Everyone would agree that the increase of humanism and tolerance in the society is a positive tendency. At the same time, such tendency leads to the transformation of the society and the changes caused by greater tolerance are often controversial. One of highly controversial social issues is the legalization of same-sex marriage. Some 50 years ago, people could be arrested for having a partner of the same sex. Nowadays the attitudes have changed, and although there still exist many stereotypes, gays and lesbians are finally recognized as equal members of the society along with heterosexual persons. Despite greater tolerance, there are ongoing debates on the legalization of same-sex marriage. The main thesis of this paper is the following: same-sex marriage should be legalized since it will further reduce discrimination of same-sex couples, provide opportunities for realizing their social potential and will strengthen the equality and tolerance in the society in general.

The institution of marriage is changing along with other social institutions in the society. The number of countries and states where same sex marriage was legalized is increasing. By the end of 2011, 10 countries and 7 states legalized same-sex marriages (Chamie & Mirkin, 2011). Such legal changes contribute to the promotion of non-discrimination in the society and enhance social equality. Indeed, a family is defined as the fundamental social group usually consisting of two parents and their children (Meezan & Rauch, 2005) or a group of two or more people sharing goals and values and having long-term commitments (Clarke & Finlay, 2004). Most of the definitions of family do not require partners to have different genders; children can be adopted or born using in-vitro fertilization or the help of surrogate mother. Therefore, legalizing same-sex marriage will help such families to become equal in rights with traditional families. Such equality will promote better psychological, social and physical well-being of same-sex couples.

The children who are reared in same-sex couples will also benefit from legalization of same-sex marriage because they will be able to receive adequate social support and protection. Furthermore, such children will perceive their parents and families as an integral part of the society; such changes of perception will contribute to greater social tolerance and equality in the future. Furthermore, the legalization of same-sex marriages will also have positive economic consequences for LGBT couples and for the country in general. Indeed, same-sex partners will be able to optimize their taxes and combine their earnings; they will get access to spousal health insurance, joint retirement investments, etc. According to Clarke & Finlay (2004), federal budget and local budgets will also benefit from the legalization of same-sex marriage in the long-term perspective due to the reduction of cash assistance requests and Medicare spending.

There are several key arguments used by the opponents of same-sex marriages. The first and foremost argument is the negative impact of same-sex families on children. According to Muhlestein (2007), the argument against same-sex marriage is that it is damaging the traditional institution of family. The research of Joslin (2011) shows that marriage has an equally positive effect on financial well-being and on the stability and durability of the relationship between spouses. Furthermore, it was determined that children in same-sex families demonstrate similar development, social skills and life satisfaction compared to children from traditional families. Joslin (2011) states that the key factor influencing the well-being of children in same-sex families was the presence of prejudiced attitude to such non-traditional family: the lower the rate of prejudice was, the smaller was the difference between well-being of children from same-sex families and traditional families.

Another major argument against the legalization of same-sex marriage is the suggestion that it will encourage young people to choose same-sex partners and therefore will affect the processes of natural reproduction in the society. However, it is shown that both genetics and society influence the choices of homosexual people (Chamie & Mirkin, 2011); in other words, the tendency to choose same-sex partners is driven by biological characteristics of a human being. The environment might indeed increase the chances for a child with LGBT inclination to engage in same-sex relationships. However, the legalization of same-sex marriages will help to reduce the ongoing debate about the discrimination of LBGT people and will help them to integrate in the society. This means in particular that the legalization of same-sex marriage will lead to the decrease of attention to LGBT questions and therefore children will be exposed to less information pertaining to LGBT than nowadays. In such circumstances, children will be more likely to follow their natural preferences than in the situation of the ongoing social debate and increased social attention to homosexuality.

Therefore, it is necessary to legalize same-sex marriage in order to make the society more equal, more efficient and more tolerant. In this case, same-sex couples will have the rights comparable with the rights of traditional couples. Same-sex families and children growing in these families will be better off due to the legalization of same-sex marriages, and there will be economic benefits influencing the whole society. Furthermore, the research of Joslin (2011) refutes the key argument of the opponents of same-sex marriage: it was shown that the well-being of children in same-sex families is the same as that of children in traditional families, and can be decreased mostly by the stereotypes pertaining to same-sex families. The legalization of same-sex marriage will help to eliminate these stereotypes and therefore improve the well-being of children in these families. In addition, such decision will reduce the attention paid by the public to the questions of same-sex relationships and therefore reduce the potential impact of LGBT information on personal choices of young people. Therefore, due to the perceived positive effects on the society same-sex marriage should be legalized in the United States and worldwide.

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Essay on Same-Sex Marriage

Marriage, also known as wedlock or matrimony, is a culturally and biblically recognized union between individuals, spouses of the opposite gender. Through marriage, rights and obligations are established between the spouses, spouses, and children and between the spouses and the in-laws. A widely accepted marriage entails formal union and social and a legal contract between individuals that unite their lives legally, socially, economically, and emotionally. In a marriage, there is legitimacy to sexual relations within the union. However, most marriages entail individuals of the opposite gender. There is another type of marriage where individuals of the same gender come together as a couple, commonly referred to as same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage, also known as gay or lesbianism dates back to the first decade with several records of the same. In terms of the legality of marriage, the lawful union has oscillated between a private accord made by two persons and an accord of social importance under State’s control (DiGregorio, 2019). Contemporarily, no interpretation of marriage respectfully serves the diverse global population. However, the narrative of marriage equality has been driven for several centuries, and the Netherlands first adopted first marriage equality in 2001. Marriage equality meant that no individual is to be discriminated against because of sexual orientation. The issue of same-sex marriage is a controversial topic that has been embraced in some regions, even as it is loathed in some regions in the world. As a result, marriage equality has different jurisdictions; for example, it is considered a human right and civil right in the regions where it is embraced. Same-sex marriage is a political, social, and religious issue whose prominent supporters are human rights activists and civil rights organizations. However, most religious groups are the primary opponents to same-sex marriage as they consider it an ungodly and sinful act.

Gay marriage has evolved, and there are tales of records of same-sex marriage globally. Records show that several same-sex marriages have taken place before, stretching from casual to reverent unions. Biblically, the Old Testament of the Holy Bible prohibited same-sex relations. Initially, same-sex marriage was common in Ancient Greece, Rome, ancient Mesopotamia, and some regions of China at some point in European history. Historians revealed that gay relationships existed in Sumeria between young and adult men, even renowned and respected priests practicing homosexuality. Historical research revealed that Ancient Mesopotamia believed that gay relationships were standard and did not need to be condemned.

In Mesopotamian religion, same-sex relationships and religious prostitution were expected and encouraged, like having sex between a man and another man was believed to make one free of misfortune. According to Münnich (2021), homosexuality was sanctified prostitution as part of the Inanna/Ishtar cult. The male temple worker engaged in such a form of worship had a lower status than free men. However, ancient homosexuality in Mesopotamia differed from contemporary homosexuality in ancient times. It was an assertion of the superiority of one individual male to the other and a disgrace to the other person. There is equality in marriage in the modern case of homosexuality, just like in the male-female marriage. Also, in ancient Mesopotamia, if homosexuality took place in relation to an equal person, it was punished, and one could be wished to be a male prostitute. Over time, same-sex marriage spread over the world. History also records that some previous Rome emperors were in a same-sex union, with thirteen of the first fourteen Roman sovereign rulers being bisexual or generally homosexual. The first Roman emperor to have wedded a fellow man was Nero, who also wedded two more men on different occasions.

Same-sex marriage evolved through different scenarios to the contemporary where several countries accept it fully since they believe marriage is a fundamental right that no one should be denied. Same-sex marriage is currently embraced by the United States (US) that officially enacted and legitimized same-sex marriage in 2015 when the Supreme Court of the US pronounced itself by legalizing same-sex marriage. Obergefell vs. Hodges case of 2015 granted same-sex couples the freedom to the civilian marital union, thus repealing contemporary state constitutions and constitutional modifications that illegalized same-sex marriage (Ogolsky et al., 2019). Today, there is an escalation in championing of gay marriage in the US. According to Twenge & Blake (2020), there is a considerable escalation in support for gay marriage in the US, with studies showing that Americans of any age changed their conviction about same-sex marriage with time.

Several milestones have characterized the development of social movements involving same-sex marriage. The marital union has not been a fixed social institution. Still, it has deviated over the trajectory of history due to rotating religious faiths, social beliefs and behaviors, technology, and even population. Federalism, the separation of powers, and the roles of courts in modifying the institutional composition of political moments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT), marriage movements have been necessary for the US and Canada (Smith, 2018). Ideology, religious intensity, contact with gays and lesbians, and millennial generation thoughts affected opinion about same-sex marriage (Daniels, 2019). Differences by religious affiliations reduced influence while differences by religious and political values increased between 1988 and 2014. This clearly shows that opinion on gays and lesbians, same-sex marriage has changed across all groups, although the increased difference in opinion promotes continuing conflict.

Based on analysis of stories from tolerant and conventional US newspapers, the newspapers framed the same-sex marriage issue from 2004 to 2016. For the liberals, newspapers used attributes like human rights, access to benefits, and public support to promote same-sex marriage. For the conservatives, they argued about protecting the traditional marriage union between man and woman, public objection to homosexuality, and securing conservative votes as the basis of objecting to same-sex marriage (Zheng & Chan, 2020). As a result, a policy theme was employed to organize stories reporting same-sex marriage; morality and economic themes followed. Same-sex supporters improved the general tone over the years despite minor differences. This clearly shows that social movements touch on marriage, especially same-sex marriage in the US.

Further, another study reported that American society had undergone unprecedented changes in the 21 st century. The transformation began in the 1960s by civil rights movements, and as the US became more diverse, equal access to certain institutions became more challenging. Concerning opposite-sex marriage and same-sex marriage, mainstream media continually reported blurring boundaries between ethnic and racial groups. Before the judiciary, experts provided particular weight to political movements that social movements and decision-makers solicited (Stambolis-Ruhstorfer, 2020). There has been a substantial increase in interracial dating and matrimony for several decades in the US. As well, assimilation contributed to the spread of same-sex marriage among individuals in the United States. Some states were skeptical about same-sex marriage in the US, for example, Georgia, a state that was so religious. However, due to the supremacy of the federal constitution over the states’ constitutions, Georgia finally embraced same-sex marriage in 2015 after the declaration by the Supreme Court that same-sex marriage is legal and no individual should be discriminated against because of sexual orientation. Other states like California were among the first states in the US to legalize same-sex marriage. Generally, many social movements came in handy in the US to promote same-sex marriage and fight against discrimination of the minority same-sex community.

Over the past decade, there has been an evolution of federal legislation on gay marriage. The first twenty years of the 21 st century saw same-sex union acquire backing from prominent personalities like John Lewis and Julian Bond of the civil rights movements. By 2011, national public support for the same-sex shot to more than 50%. That means half of the American population or half of the states supported same-sex marriage. At the same time, then-President Obama proclaimed that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unlawful, and New York legalized same-sex marriage. In 2013, the Supreme Court of the United States also beat down DOMA for being insensitive to the fifth amendment of the US constitution leading to federal recognition of same-sex marriage. By 2015, support for same-sex marriage was at 60% as people had changed their opinions about the issue. Same-sex marriage became more acceptable almost in all the states in the United States. In 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States made a landmark ruling on same-sex marriage. In the civil case of Obergefell vs. Hodges of 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that the fundamental right of same-sex to marry with same terms as opposite-sex couples is guaranteed by the due process and equal protection clause of the fourteenth amendment to the constitution of the United States (Ogolsky et al. (2019). Therefore, 2015 is the year that same-sex was officially legalized and enacted in all the states of the United States. This means that the states whose constitutions had not allowed same-sex marriage had to change and adopt the new amendment; because the federal constitution of the United States is supreme to the state laws, the state laws must be consistent with the supreme law of the land.

Since 2015, all the states in the US have allowed and embraced same-sex union. The 2015 Supreme Court ruling demonstrated the impact of national-level judicial decision-making. In 2016, Alabama’s Chief Justice illegalizing state officials from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex partners. However, due to the supremacy of the federal constitution, the ruling did not affect, and the counties of Alabama continued to issue marriage licenses to all couples without discrimination. During this time, more than 80% of Americans aged 18-29 years supported same-sex marriage. Due to the error in the ruling going against the federal law, Alabama’s Chief Justice was charged by the state Judicial Inquiry Commission for ethics violation and eventually suspended from the bench for the rest of his remaining term that was to end in September 2016. Alabama legislature proceeded and moved a bill in substituting marriage license with marriage certificate in 2019. An annual poll between 2017-2020 revealed support for gay marriage, with the majority of Americans opening that same-sex marriage is to be acknowledged as justifiable under the law.

The issue of same-sex marriage is equally an emotive political issue. There have been a lot of political debates on the issue. The issue of legal recognition of same-sex marriage became prominent in the 2004 United States elections. The then-president George W. Bush used the State of the Union address to call for the federal constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage, making San Francisco Mayor issue a marriage license from the City Hall; 11 states approved a state ban on same-sex marriage in November 2004 (Hull, 2016). Subsequent polls showed that the majority opposed legalizing same-sex marriage. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) political and legitimate convocation has integrated dictates for accepting same-sex unions. The debate accelerated following the passage of civil union in Vermont, the Goodridge decision, which resulted in same-sex marriage in Massachusetts. Outside LGBT communities and in national political debates, same-sex marriage adversaries aspire to preserve a differentiation between same-sex and heterosexual unions. The Christian Right resists recognition of same-sex marriage while others argue for limited recognition on principal grounds. Reports show that three-quarters of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents and fewer than half of Republicans support gay marriage. Support for gay marriage recently stands at 88% among the self-described liberal Democrats, and fewer conservative Republicans of about 36% support same-sex marriage. This shows that more Democrats and fewer Republicans support same-sex unions in America.

Important political players in the national debate over same-sex marriage include legislators and the executive. There have been several amendments to the constitution to take care of the LGBT community in the US. The legislators of the bicameral parliament of the United States are bestowed with the responsibility of making laws and amending the existing governing policies of same-sex relationships. The executive is bestowed with the implementation of the policies passed. As a result, they are leading vital political players. Similarly, same-sex marriage is also permitted through legislative and judicial means in the US. Many vital politicians in the United States waded into the debate of same-sex marriage. In 2012 during election times, President Barack Obama was forced to share his thoughts on the gay marriage issue. Obama went ahead and opined that same-sex couples should be able to get married. In his cabinet, Eric Holder, John Kerry, and Chuck Hagel publicly agreed with the opinion of same-sex marriage. Most public individuals submitted to the Supreme Court of the United States that DOMA violated equal protection of the fourteenth amendment.

Further, Hillary Clinton was pro-LGBT throughout her career. Additionally, one of her children, a Republican, is transgender and has consistently broken ranks with the party on LGBT issues. According to The Washington Post, the current president of the United States (POTUS) Joe Bidden and his deputy President Kamala Harris both worked for gay marriage in opposite ways. Before President Obama publicly gave his sentiments on gay marriage, his then deputy president and now POTUS Joe Bidden had endorsed equality marriage in May 2012 interview (Issenberg, 2020). In-office as California’s attorney general, Kamala Harris made herself a barrier to laws that illegalized same-sex marriage. Therefore it is evident that national political personalities and leading political parties in the United States waded into the politics of same-sex marriage with more democrats than Republicans supporting same-sex marriage. Today, same-sex marriage is fully recognized and even part of the current cabinet secretaries and influential government employees have publicly declared gays.

Some sociological theories can understand why some players are more powerful than others in the same-sex debate. For example, conflict theory can be applied. Conflict theory states that tensions and conflict arise when resources, status, and power are not equally distributed between different groups in the society. As such, conflict becomes essential for social change (Crossman, 2019). This means that power is understood as control of resources and control of politics and institutions that make up the society and is determined by gender and sexuality, among other things. Through the conflict theory, we find same-sex couples as a minority in the United States social, political, and economic arena. The majority of the citizens in the US, although they have no issues with same-sex marriage, are actually in an opposite-sex marriage. As such same-sex marriage, individuals wield less power than opposite-sex married couples.

However, continued uncertainty in political and legal environments affects the stakeholders that seek to expand their rights and challenge existing policies. For example, in Georgia, individuals are pessimistic about same-sex marriage and are reluctant to accept new diverse ways of life (Gelashvili, 2020). As a result, same-sex couples or crusaders would find it hard to reside or advance their campaigns in Georgia due to the unwelcome environment. Activists on the side of same-sex marriage and activists on opposite-sex marriage have used different tactics to further their debates on the issue. Same-sex activists campaigned based on equality as enshrined in the constitution. They argue that marriage is an absolute right enshrined in the constitution, and as such, no one should be alienated from the right. The opposite-sex activists, primarily religious groups, base their argument that it is against the holy books and equally interfere with the traditionally accepted culture of opposite-sex marriage.

In conclusion, same-sex marriage is an issue that has existed since time immemorial. It is an issue that has brought forth a lot of debate since proponents talk about equality. In contrast, opponents talk of dignity and the traditionally accepted type of marriage that was allowed even in the holy books. The first nations with records of same-sex marriage are Mesopotamia and Greece. However, with time, same-sex marriage spread, and currently, it is practiced all over the world. There have been several debates on the issue, especially in the United States. It is recorded that the United States finally enacted same-sex marriage in 2015 when the Supreme Court pronounced itself on the issue and legalized it. It is a political issue in the US, and both political divides in the US have their stand on the issue. Most supporters are Democrats, even as some individuals of the Conservative Republican Party also support it. However, the US constitution is the supreme law of the land, and therefore even opponents are bound by it.

Questions to be asked and the answers for each:

1. “I heard 75 percent of people are against gay marriage. Who are they?”

There are individuals opposed to gay marriage. However, the number does not reach 75% of the population. Studies show that today, 61% of the United States population supports same-sex marriage and has no issues with same-sex couples (Ogolsky et al. (, 2019). The percentage of support for same-sex marriage increased exponentially from 31% to 61% from the onset of the 21 st century to 2020. Most people who support same-sex marriage are civil society groups and human rights, activists. Most opponents of same-sex marriage are religious groups that view homosexuality as a sin and erode the acceptable traditional social fabric.

2. “If we allow gays to marry, won’t it destroy our social fabric?”

If we allow gays to marry, it will not destroy the social fabric. Gay marriage has been in existence for a very long time since the first decade. Individuals are already aware of it and can make robust decisions before deciding on sexual orientation. Further, the most robust constitution globally, the United States Constitution, declared that same-sex marriage (Carpenter, 2020) is legal, and as such, we are all bound by it. It is a prerogative of parents and guardians to sensitize their children on the issue, after which they can make robust decisions.

References:

Ashley Crossman (2019). Understanding Conflict Theory.

Carpenter, C. S. (2020). The Direct Effects of Legal Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: Evidence From Massachusetts. Demography , 57 (5), 1787-1808

Daniels, R. S. (2019). The Evolution of Attitudes on Same‐Sex Marriage in the United States, 1988–2014. Social Science Quarterly , 100 (5), 1651-1663.

DiGregorio N. (2019). Same-Sex Marriage and Language Appropriation Practices of Lesbians. Journal of homosexuality , 66 (9), 1198–1218. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2018.1500777

Gelashvili, T. (2020). Political opportunities for the extreme right in Georgia. Terrorism and Political Violence , 30 (5), 772-792

Hull, K. E. (2016). The evolution of same-sex marriage politics in the US. In Introducing the new sexuality studies (pp. 567-574). Routledge.

Münnich, M. (2021). Homosexuality in Ancient Mesopotamia. Survey of Sources. Verbum Vitae , 39 (1), 27–48. https://doi.org/10.31743/vv.11079

Sasha Issenberg (2020). The Washington Post. Joe Bidden and Kamala Harris both worked for gay marriage- in opposite ways.

Smith, M. (2018). Historical institutionalism and same-sex marriage: A comparative analysis of the USA and Canada. In Global Perspectives on Same-Sex Marriage (pp. 61-79). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.

Stambolis-Ruhstorfer, M. (2020). Producing expert capital: How opposing same-sex marriage experts dominate fields in the United States and France. Social Movement Studies , 19 (1), 38-62.

Twenge, J. M., & Blake, A. B. (2020). Increased Support for Same-sex Marriage in the US: Disentangling Age, Period, and Cohort Effects. Journal of homosexuality , 1–11. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2019.1705672

Zheng, Y., & Chan, L. S. (2020). Framing same-sex marriage in US liberal and conservative newspapers from 2004 to 2016: Changes in issue attributes, organizing themes, and story tones. The Social Science Journal , 1-13.

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