Why We Should Borrow... Gay Marriage
Why We Should Borrow... Gay Marriage
by April Flynn
Homosexuality has long been a controversial topic that has caused much grief within many countries’ political systems. Perhaps, this is due to the deep religious and emotional ties that homosexuality has.
Basically, homosexuality boils down to a preference, not a moral choice or decision. Unfortunately, this lifestyle is not honored in the United States of America because of the ban on homosexual marriages. Within the United States, until recently, there has been no place where homosexual marriages are legally sanctioned or recognized. Nonetheless, many countries around the world have faced the fact that homosexuality is going to exist and have, contrary to the United States, began to recognize gay marriage as a legal, sanctioned union between two people. Among these countries are France, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Buenos Aries, and, most recently Canada.
As mentioned earlier, I feel as though a person’s sexual preference is absolutely no indicator of a person’s moral caliber. Homosexuality is actually a very personal aspect of human nature and should have no bearing on whether or not the laws of the land will recognize their preference for love. Therefore, I feel as though recognizing and sanctioning homosexual marriage is an excellent practice, because it demonstrates a governing body’s ability to maintain objectivity. It is, perhaps, quite ironic that the United States, a country with foundations of liberty and equal rights, has not recognized the rights of homosexual couples to be joined in marriage.
As just mentioned, the United States of America is a country that is rich with history and foundations of equal rights and justice for all. However, it is this country that still oppresses those with a homosexual lifestyle. This oppression is in great contradiction with the foundations of the United States of America. The oppression of homosexuals in today’s society is very similar to the oppression of African Americans before the civil rights movements of the 1960’s. It is quite ironic that so many United States citizens look back upon the oppression of African Americans and are stunned that it even occurred. Why it is that people do not make this correlation to the oppression of homosexuals?
I feel it is also important to dissect the root of the denial of marital rights to homosexual couples. As already mentioned most people justify the oppression of homosexuals with religious morals and beliefs. However, the fact remains that the United States Constitution guarantees that no law shall be passed with bias respect to a particular religion; this practice being called separation between church and state. Therefore, I feel as though by not sanctioning homosexual marriages the government is supporting a legal institution that respects certain religious beliefs; in particular, puritan Christian beliefs. It is the government’s obligation to uphold the rights and privileges granted to United States citizens by the constitution, and this is an area where the government is not holding up their end of the bargain.
Homosexuality is simply a way of life for some people. This way of life is of no physical harm to others and is simply an alternate way to love. I feel that it is completely unfair that the United States government refuses to act objectively over this issue. By not acting objectively over this issue the government is sending out a message that they will tolerate oppression.
---April Flynn, May 2004---
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