¶ … Same Sex Marriage: Refuting the Opposition
While a majority of Americans enthusiastically support equal rights for all citizens including homosexuals, few support same sex marriage (Bidstrup, 2004). Despite this same sex marriage is a right that should be provided to same sex couples as any other government benefits. Same sex couples deserve equal protection under the law just as any other couple would. This paper will argue in favor of same sex marriage, by presenting counter arguments to same sex marriage and refuting them.
Those opposed to legalizing same sex marriages argue "on the basis of plurality" (Pew Forum, 2005). A majority of opponents suggest their opposition is based purely on subjective distaste or opposition to the idea (roughly 35%) (Pew Forum, 2005). This is not adequate basis however to design a constitutional amendment barring same sex marriage. Under the constitution all citizens are afforded their right to equal protection under the law and certain freedoms. This includes the right to the sacrament of marriage. The notion that anything should be outlawed based purely on subjective reasoning is more autocratic or tyrannical in nature than democratic, and democracy forms the foundation under this country thrives each day. Most of the subjective opinions that dictate opposition to same sex marriage are not based on logical premise. This is supported by multiple studies suggesting college graduates are more likely to favor same sex marriage than seniors, and more than twice as likely to support same sex marriage than "less educated counterparts" by as much as 20% (Pew Forum, 2005).
Many opponents fear gay marriage will have a negative impact on the "traditional family structure" hence express their opposition. Many fear that such marriages would "Undermine the traditional American family," as much as 76% of those that...
Other reasons include gay marriage goes against personal religious beliefs (roughly 82%) (Pew Forum, 2005) again not a reason to support opposition. The constitution again protects the rights of citizens and their religious beliefs. While opponents may not support same sex marriage based on personal religious beliefs, there are an equal number of gay citizens that support marriage based on their beliefs. One cannot assume that certain Christian morals or other fundamentalist principles are more important than the beliefs of gay citizens. Every community member has the right to express their religious beliefs in the democracy in which we live. Further biblical moralisms do not dictate the law in America; the first amendment of the constitution very clearly does not support rules on anyone based on religion (Bidstrup, 2004). Many religions throughout the world in fact support homosexuality and celebrate the unions between gay partners freely; thus those practicing these religions should find their rights infringed upon, a constitutional no (Bidstrup, 2004).
Many opposed to same sex marriages argue that gay couples aren't capable of raising children correctly. Yet despite this a majority of those who oppose gay marriage do not believe gay parents are unfit and most believe gay parents would make good couples (Pew Forum, 2005). These beliefs are contradictory at best. There are many unfit parents in society today; many people 'allowed' to parent are much less capable of doing so than same sex couples committed to one another. Multiple scientific studies support gay parenting and suggest that children raised in gay families are just as likely to thrive and realize their ambitions later in life than children from heterosexual families (Herek, 1991).
Some opponents argue that marriage is for procreating and continuing…
