It has been around there for years, in newspapers, on television and in today’s local news: gay marriage. It surely is an ethical dilemma and the dilemma shows us two sides: people are either in favour of gay marriage or they are against gay marriage. Gay marriage can be legalised by law and if not, punishment in jail could be the next step. And that is where the ethical dilemma starts. All human beings have certain needs in life, these needs could differ per individual, so as a commonly accepted model there is the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This model describes the basic human needs which also states that the most basic needs must be met before the other needs can be fulfilled. The first needs are the physiological needs. These needs include food, water, the basics to survive. Once these needs are met the rest of the models needs can be fulfilled all the way up to self-actualization. In between physiological and self-actualization is another step that needs to be fulfilled: love and a sense of belonging. Love of family and friends or the human need for emotional and sexual relationships. One example in this step could be marriage. Heterosexual couples can meet this need without a problem. But if homosexuals are not allowed to marry legally, does this mean that homosexuals are not allowed to fulfil their basic needs according to the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? Because of some religions that state it is unnatural to love and marry someone of the same sex, the entire world should deny these requests by people that want to express their true feelings? Will it be ethical to give homosexuals the same rights as all other people in this world?
The issue of same-sex marriage has been in court for years. The first case about this subj...
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TFP Student Action (n.d.). 10 Reasons Why Homosexual “Marriage” is Harmful and Must be Opposed. TFP Student Action. Retrieved from: http://www.tfpstudentaction.org/politically-incorrect/homosexuality/10-reasons-why-homosexual-marriage-is-harmful-and-must-be-opposed.html
Wikipedia (2014) Same-sex marriage in the United States. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_the_United_States
Williamson, M. (2013, April 4). ‘Rainbow across my electorate’ speech Member of Parlement New Zealand. Gawker. Retrieved from: http://gawker.com/5994884/this-incredible-marriage-equality-speech-by-a-new-zealand-member-of-parliament-is-a-must+watch
Huffington post. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/17/maurice-williamson-new-zealand-gay-marriage-_n_3100714.html
Teicher, S. A. (1999, December 22). Ruling will stir states on same sex marriages. The Christian Science Monitor.
A debate is raging in America about who people have a right to marry. In response to lesbians and gays asking for the right to marry, many legislators are writing laws to ban same-sex marriage in their respective states. Even President Bush supports a Constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage (prez.bush.marriage/). Opponents of such legislation do not want discrimination passed into law and are protesting at every opportunity. One must understand the reasons that people want to ban same-sex marriage before he or she can effectively argue about the subject. Many advocates of same-sex marriage bans say that allowing gays and lesbians to marry would degrade the institution of marriage because marriage is only supposed to exist between a man and woman. In addition, allowing same-sex marriage would cause problems for society (Issues and Controversies on File). One theory why opponents may fight against same-sex marriages is that heterosexual marriages have long reinforced traditional gender roles within marriage and that allowing same-sex marriages would cause males to lose their authority to subordinate females as heterosexual couples begin to model same-sex marriage gender equality (Calhoun 157).
TFP Student Action. "10 Reasons Why Homosexual "Marriage" Is Harmful and Must Be Opposed." 10 Reasons Why Homosexual "Marriage" Is Harmful and Must Be Opposed. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Love always plays an indispensable role in our life while lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders are found in all age groups, all social classes, and all nations. Thus, it is obvious that homosexual marriage is one of the most biggest concerns. However, in contemporary life, some people are far more open-minded and support to this issue. Particularly, there are twenty-one countries which legalize same-sex marriage. This kind of marriage should be respected and accepted like heterosexual marriage. In spite of objections, this essay will highlight the main reasons that homosexuals should have equal right to marry.
Over the years in our country’s history it has been apparent that the idea of same sex marriages is becoming much more popular, however in most states there is still one thing stopping them. That one thing stopping two people from the pursuit of happiness which they desire is a social injustice. Social injustices are situations where a person or group of people is treated unfairly due to certain factors for example discrimination, prejudice, racism, heterosexism, sexism, and so forth. In the case of same sex marriages, the factor playing a major role in this social injustice is where most people believe that opposite sexes attract, but in the case of a same sex couple wanting to be married, this brings about many topics to be discussed by people, as not everyone thinks the same way. Everyday a same sex couple wants to get married but is either denied their want, or is forced to conform to a civil union. This should not be the case however; people of the same sex should be allowed what every other couple is allowed due to the fact that each and every person has the right to happiness, and the right to marriage despite their sexual orientation.
Savage, Charlie., and Stolberg Sheryl G. “In Shift, U.S. Says Marriage Act Blocks Gay Rights.”
Same-sex marriage is one of the leading political topics in the United States today. There is an ongoing dispute pertaining to the legalization of same-sex marriages. America has shifted its head to focusing on supporting same-sex marriage or not. Many are for and against this topic but there has been no settlement for it yet. Homosexuals want to marry for the same reason that heterosexuals have and there should be no reason why they are not allowed to. There is some history behind this topic but there has yet to be a solution.
A large majority of people in the United States will say that they are in favor of equal rights for homosexuals. They will all agree that homosexuals should have the same rights in housing, jobs, public accommodations, and should have equal access to government benefits, equal protection of the law, and other rights granted to US citizens. However, when the topic of marriage arises, all the talk of equality ceases. Over fifty percent of all people in the United States oppose homosexual marriage, despite the fact that most are otherwise supportive of homosexual rights. This means that many of the same people who are even passionately in favor of homosexual rights oppose homosexuals on this one issue. This is because there is a lot of misunderstanding about what homosexuality really is, as well as the erroneous assumption that homosexual people enjoy the same civil rights protections as everyone else. For the reasons of ending social injustice, the economic and social benefits of allowing homosexuals to marry, and the constitution, homosexual marriages should be a legalized institution.
The United States is known world wide for its civil rights and freedoms. Many Americans are appalled by the idea of same-sex marriages. What?s wrong with the idea of two people who care greatly for one another wanting to spend their lives together? The gay community is misunderstood because many straights are not willing to listen. These individuals would rather just be closed-minded in this situation and reticent to really think about what this means to the gay community and the country. Same sex couples are not asking for any special rights; they are just asking to be treated equal with opposite sex couples. The explanations given by many Americans against gay marriages are based on false assumptions and unsubstantiated arguments. However, the real and unspoken reasons many heterosexuals have against same-sex marriages are based on religious beliefs.
Every little girl dreams of the day they will get married and live happily ever after. What if the little girl grows up and wants to marry a woman instead of man? Traditional marriage consist of a union between man and woman, but the LGBT community wants marriage legalized for same-sex couples now more than ever. The pressing question is whether or not same-sex marriage is ethical. It is a controversial topic that often fuels heated debates that range from the well-being of kids, religion, AIDS, and long lived family values (Thrioux & Krasemann, 282). Homosexual marriage is an evolutionary process and the views of society are evolving constantly (Von Drehle). Homosexual marriage is ethically correct because of the support from numerous ethical theories like utilitarianism, prima facie duties, and virtue ethics.
The controversy of gay marriage is seen even in groups who support strong marriages. Author Karen Peterson uses her article to address the issue of how gay marriage sits with the “marriage movement,” the coalition of professionals dedicated to strengthening marriages (7). This movement has successfully included pro-marriage initiatives across America and formed new high school courses on relationships (Peterson 7). Peterson finds that the “marriage movement” has many different views within itself and struggles with the question of “How can one be a proponent of marriage in general but oppose marriages between gays” (7). David Blankenhorn who is the founder of the Institute for American Values and an important member of the coalition, says that they hope to settle the issue and no longer be silent about it. The coalition hopes to participate in and improve the nationa...
America is a country known for its freedom, yet people are told who they can and cannot marry. According to Kim Richards a case in Hawaii in 1993 where judges said the state’s constitution required a good reason not to give gay’s equal marriage rights. Congress was pushed to pass the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prevented homosexuals who were allowed to marry from receiving the usual benefits of marriage, like taxes and retirement. In response states have made their stand on domestic partnerships and civil unions. DOMA was passed out of fear that a lawsuit filed in Hawaii would make them allow same sex marriage. The congress did not want to allow same sex couples the same benefits heterosexual couples receive while legally married (4-6). Opponents of DOMA claims it violates the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment and the Full Faith and Credit Clause. By 2002, thirty-six states banned same-sex marriage or recognizing of same-sex marriage formed in other states (Richards 4-6). Benjamin Wittes says the uproar began in 1991 when Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act, and liberals became upset claiming it was a contradiction to our free country (46-48). Dayton says Massachusetts was the first state to sign the bill to allow marriage equality in their state. While republican opponents win the legislative fight with twenty-one states denying marriage equality while just ten have granted the rights to homosexual couples. Polls have shown the majority of America, even including one of our most liberal states, California, remains against gay marriage. After the bill passing in Massachusetts in 2003, thirteen states passed anti-gay-marriage initiatives. Gay right activists are in hopes that states will not follow (...
Martin Luther King Jr. once said that ““Injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere” and because of that, I agree with him. I firmly believe that the same discrimination he fought against continues to exist today, and because of that I stand firmly in favor of marriage equality. Marriage equality is the belief that anyone, regardless of gender, or sexual orientation, should be allowed to marry. I believe that marriage equality is a human right, not just a privilege reserved for straight people. In my paper, I intend to support this belief through two main areas. First, I will discuss why the arguments against marriage equality collapse, then I will show why it’s right to support marriage equality.
Firstly I will discuss the reasons for marriage equality. I argue marriage equality is in the best interest for family life. Allowing homosexuals to form stable committed relationships through marriage would allow for healthier homosexual relationships. You can’t prevent people from being homosexual however giving those people the right to marry can help them experience greater personal happiness. Studies have suggested that not only does legalizing marriage in an area generally make homosexual individuals in that area happier; it also makes them physically and mentally healthier and saves them money on health care (Hatzenbuehler, O’Cleirigh, Grasso, Mayer, Safren, & Bradford, 20012). I don’t see any compelling reason to take away the joy homosexuals get from marriage, this is one of the many reasons I support marriage equality.
The legality of gay marriage is a hot topic for many reasons. Traditionally marriage has been known as a legal bond between a man and a woman. Times have changed since those days. More and more people are coming out of the closet everyday. There are more gay people today than there ever have been and that number is only increasing. Marriage is a way for two people to show their commitment towards each other, so it should not matter what their gender or sexual orientation is.