Same Sex Marriages, Essay Example

Over the years, the aim of heterosexual marriages has been ignored not only by those who are getting married to members of the same sex but also those getting into heterosexual relationships. People no longer think of procreation when getting into marriages. The new demands of life have forced people to desire marriages for other reasons. Some of the reasons include companionships, desire to have legitimate sex, to gain spousal benefits and to acquire social status. This has contributed to the rise of same sex marriages.

Some social conservatives and those who support heterosexual marriages argue that gay marriage cannot be used as an alternative to normal marriages. This is because they are more of unions between two people or partnership which is not religiously recognized. One of the main purposes of marriage is procreation; however, gay marriages are solely for companionship and legitimate sex and thus cannot fully replace normal marriages. (Jack, 45-56).

Gay marriages are seen as a deviation from the social norm. As a result, they are oppressed by being ridiculed by the conservatives. This is because; they are dominated by normal or heterosexual marriages. Adoption of children by gay cannot be an alternative of procreation. (Colin, 123-34).

Lesbians and gays are treated like lesser human beings since they do not conform to socially and culturally accepted standards. This is evident from usage of terms such as homophobia when referring to homosexuals. Psychologically, it is believed to be a sexual disorder. As a result, lesbians and gays are oppressed since they appear to go against the nature. The society began to discriminate against gays when some came out in the open because there was a general feeling that homosexuals were threatening progression of nature. Besides that gays have also not been recognized as distinct from heterosexuals since they comprise a very small population. (Grace, 139).

For a long time gay couples have been fighting for equal civil rights and protection by the law and even advocating for legalization of gay marriages. Denying gay may couples civil rights has been described as a form of injustice. (Colin,145-56). Many people thought that granting registered, civil and domestic partnerships was enough in the preservation of legal marriage definition between a woman and a man. However, most of the domestic, civil as well as registered partnership rights provided fewer benefits compared to those given to heterosexual marriages. ‘….In numerous cases, long time gay partners are not given their full benefits simply because of them have different sexual orientation….’ (Colin, 87-113).

Legalization of gay marriages and enforcing civil rights to gays should be put into consideration to enable gay couples to have access to legal benefits which are normally entitled to all legally recognized marriages. Most of these benefits are vital in improving the general welfare of their lives as human beings. Some of these benefits are access to a partner’s life, medical and disability insurance, benefits of the spouses under retirement and annuity plans. Failure to provide these benefits has had an effect of adversely affecting the couple’s lives. The laws of any government demand that the government enforce the rights of their citizens and should not be concerned with the definition of moral or immoral acts.  (Colin,92-103).

Legalization of gay marriages would go a long way in eliminating gay oppression. This would avoid instances whereby the partners are treated like abnormal human beings. Consequently it would encourage them to come out of the closet. ‘….If gay marriages are legalized and given their civil rights it would promote modern capitalism since gay couples just like heterosexual partners contribute to the growth of the economy. As a result they ought to be recognized….’ (Jack, 47-52).

The advocates of gay marriages feel that gay marriages should be legalized because they are act as alternative to normal marriages. This is because they encourage committed and stable relationships. Such relationships lighten the burden of the society to offer support to its society members. The spouses can thus take care of each other because they can act as bankers, nurses or policemen. In case one partner gets sick, the other one can take care of him or her. In addition, one partner, can pay the debts which his or her other partner owes others. (Colin, 35-8).

Proponents of gay marriages, in this respect, argue that same sex marriages are no different from heterosexual marriages, since both are able to commit and care for each other. As such, the laws which govern marriages should be applied to both gay marriages and normal marriages. In addition, even in normal marriages there are some couples who are usually not able to procreate and still continue to live together as husband and wife. In the same way, gay couples do not need to procreate to have a healthy marriage. (Colin,119).

The advocates of gay marriages feel that gay marriages can be an alternative to normal marriages. The spouses can thus take care of each other because they can act as bankers, nurses or policemen. In case one partner gets sick, the other one can take care of him or her. In addition, one partner, can pay the debts which his or her other partner owes others. Proponents of gay marriages, in this respect, argue that same sex marriages are no different from heterosexual marriages, since both are able to commit and care for each other.

References

Colin, W. Socialists and Gay Liberation, London: Socialist Workers Party, UK. 2003.

Grace Suh. Mirror on America Eye of the Beholder

Jack, P. (2001). Gay Marriages: Essays on Gay History, Politics and the University, New    York:   Academic Publishers.