Against and Grey Area Essay

Yet So Colorful To truly understand why gay marriage is a pressing issue, understanding both arguments is a must. The argument across the nation is, are you for or against allowing legally recognized marriage between homosexuals to co-exist with that of heterosexual marriages? Yet should same sex marriage be legalized throughout the entire United States? It is a topic of great disagreement among many people, and is discussed in many presidential debates. Tolerance is a word that should be used in all three of our writings, yet for this neutral approach towards same sex marriage tolerance is a perfect word. A definition of tolerance is: The ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with. (New Oxford American Dictionary; New York 2001). In this case, tolerance would refer to being tolerant towards those who are for same sex marriage and those who are against same sex marriage. Tolerance is one of the most basic reasons people have immigrated to the United States. Equality and tolerance are needed, for it is our birthright as Americans. Tolerance is a word that is used in The Constitution, The Declaration of Independence, The Gettysburg Address, and Martin Luther King’s famous speech. As much as I am emotionally supportive of same sex marriage, I do believe that as Americans we must give everyone the freedom to believe what they wish, as long as it is not hurting anyone. Therefore those who disagree with same sex marriage have as much right to disagree with gay marriage as those who are for gay marriage or wish to marry some one of the same sex. Tolerance and equal rights are two major reasons so many immigrants from all over the world selected the United States for their home. These three quotations from famous yet well-respected Americans help to point out values that are important to American society. â€Å"We will only attain freedom if we learn to appreciate what is different, and muster the courage to discover what is fundamentally the same. America’s diversity offers so much richness and opportunity. Take a chance, won’t you? Knock down the fences which divide. – Justice Thurgood Marshall The highest result of education is tolerance. † – Helen Keller, Optimism (1903) â€Å"Laws alone cannot secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty there must be spirit of tolerance in the entire population. † – Albert Einstein So tolerance toward anyone and their beliefs whether you agree or disagree is the correct approach. Homosexuals have the right to express themselves in the same way that heterosexuals express themselves. We all have equality and must be tolerant of each other. Like the vast majority of Americans, I’ve opposed same sex marriage, but I’ve also opposed unjust discrimination against anyone, for racial or religious reasons, or for sexual preference. Americans are a tolerant, generous, and kind people. We all oppose bigotry and disparagement. But the debate over same sex marriage is not a debate over tolerance. It is a debate about the purpose of the institution of marriage and it is a debate about activist judges who make up the law rather than interpret the law. Mitt Romney 12/14/2006 National Review Online In this quote, Mitt Romney argues that Americans recognize marriage as a partnership between man and woman. He states that the creation and development of the next generation is at stake with same sex couples. On the other side of the spectrum gay rights activists argue that marriage should be universal with no boundaries. Gay people (men and men and women and women) should have the same ability to marry just like their heterosexual counterparts men and women. Many gay people claim that not allowing gays to marry is a hate crime. They say it is exactly the same as discriminating against race or religious preference. Thomas Jefferson uses the Declaration of Independence to elaborate on the rights of a government. His idea of equality is closely related to the concept that, because all men are equal, the government’s power is based on â€Å"the consent of the governed,† not by its own arbitrary whims or motives. Today, America is one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world. Given this, the importance of tolerance in the government has great importance at present. The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that a ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional, and in the opinion stated that: â€Å"government attorneys failed to identify any constitutionally adequate reason to deny them [gay couples] the right. † This was a very important and groundbreaking ruling. It opened the doors for more states to legalize same sex marriage. It is important for heterosexual people to be tolerant towards homosexuals and their legal right to ask for same sex marriage. It is also important for gay people to respect, be patient and tolerant of heterosexual that do not believe in same sex marriage. Perhaps with tolerance and understanding from both parties more acceptances of each other’s differences will be reached. Change is constant yet does take time. It is scary yet change must happen before we pass judgments. Alex Snyder 9/27/12 C. Dowling Engl. 100 The Wrong Choice, Vote Yes For the Two thousand years of this countries rich history, homosexuality was considered a sin and bad enough to ban, with many state laws prohibiting sodomy. Then in the 2003 Lawrence VS Texas case, The Supreme court ruled in favor of homosexuality and for the laws to be taken away. As the article I read stated, suddenly, homosexuality was not bad enough to prohibit and now, we have to permit it. Homosexuality is bad for the economy and the people of the United States of America and it should be against the law to act in a homosexual manner. My first argument is that a child a gay couple raises may grow up to be shunned by others even in fact alienated by the society they live in. Gay couples raising children cannot give or meet the child’s needs that many heterosexual couples can. Children feel alienated or embarrassed when in public with their homosexual parents. Many homosexual relationships end very badly. Homosexual relationships have a higher break up rate or â€Å"divorce† rate than heterosexual couples. These couples indoctrinate their children from day one on this earth by accepting homosexual relationships as equivalent and the norm. Further more adoption in the homosexual relationship will make the child a trophy, which in effect, validates homosexual relationships. Allowing same sex marriage validates homosexual relationships. My second point is that of taxes, taxes kill me on a day-to-day basis, and I am sure I am not alone. Income taxes will increase in order to make up for the marriage tax benefits given to homosexual couples. As well as paying for social costs resulting from illegitimacy increases. Do you believe Homosexual couples should get the same benefits from raising a child as a man and women raising a child should? Further more social security taxes would increase in order to pay enefits of losing a significant other, such as â€Å"widows† and â€Å"widowers†. Not to mention medical insurance premiums will be at an all time high if gay marriage is allowed because we have to offset the health care costs that go along with homosexual behavior such as (AIDS, hepatitis, Colon Cancer, and other diseases) these homosexual acts will likely be more validated and will likely increase if same sex marriage is approved. Homosexual supporters may say, â€Å"It isn’t hurting anyone† When in theory it is hurting everyone. They could also say something along the lines of â€Å" If I want to behave a certain way, it is my right† when It may be your right, but that does not mean society as a whole is going to endorse and support your choices. Homosexuality will tear this country apart. Hurting our generations to come by indoctrinating our children and our children’s children, but also hurt you and our country as a whole. Alex Snyder 10/7/12 C. Dowling Engl. 100 Gay Marriage: A 21st Century Prejudice Isn’t it good for society to have couples that are in love and are committed to one another regardless of sexual orientation? Furthermore people who love one another create good in there own lives and for people around them. For example I have had the rare opportunity to have two gay couples in my family. My great uncle Bill and his boyfriend uncle Paul were in love and together for over 40 years. They were monogamous and married in their hearts and minds for over 40 years. They taught my siblings, my cousins and I how to sail, cook and love your partner unconditionally through the good times and the bad times. They could never legally be married. The unfortunate consequence of the two never being able to marry occurred when my uncle Bill died this year. Our uncle Paul is unable to support himself because unlike a wife he cannot receive his partner social security benefits and veteran health insurance benefits even though he cared for our uncle Bill for 10 years when he was a quadriplegic. Another example is my step cousin Sylvia and her partner Katherine. They have been together for 20 years. They live in Vermont. They were able to get married. They now have 2 children. Katherine and Sylvia are protected legally and financially through their marriage. They love each other and are committed to being each other’s spouse and being loving parents to their two heterosexual children. They love their children and will support their daughter and son to be the best citizens they can be. Their sexual preference is unimportant. These couples are two examples of how same-sex marriage can be successful. So is necessary to protect the partner if death or illness occurs. For example if a gay person is hospitalized and they are not married to their partner. Their partner is not allowed in the hospital room because they are not family. If their partner dies and they are not married they cannot receive their partners social security benefits but a legal spouse can receive their husband or wife’s benefits. This unequal playing field is sad and emotionally unappealing. With the divorce rate being over 60% and with the suicide rate being so high there should be absolutely no shame or judgment in being with the person you truly love. I might sound like a romanticist yet it may make the world a happier place with everyone being so equal and on the same ground, giving way for more tolerance and love to be expressed.