Gay Rights fight not different than Civil Rights fight in the 60's
Gay marriage is currently one of the most controversial issues facing our society that is having a polarizing effect after the most recent election. The traditional family advocates believe that they are entitled to protect their idea and sanctity of marriage. The gay rights activists believe they have the right to be treated as equals in society. One compromise would be to rewrite the current laws for people to join together in a civil union, instead of marriage.
Traditional family advocates believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. Their supporters believe that allowing gay marriage would open up the possibility for people to push for more rights for more untraditional methods of marriage, such as with animals or small children. They believe that a child needs to be raised in a traditional setting with a mother and a father and should not be confused at a young age. If gay couples are allowed to marry and raise children they believe it is likely that the children’s sexual orientation will change to match their parents.
There are many that believe that defining marriage would not be discrimination. Robert H. Knight the draftsman of the federal Defense of Marriage Act writes:
Marriage laws are not discriminatory. Marriage is open to all adults, subject to age and blood relation limitations. As with any acquired status, the applicant must meet minimal requirements, which in terms of marriage, means finding an opposite-sex spouse. Same-sex partners do not qualify. To put it another way, clerks will not issue dog licenses to cats, and it is not out of “bigotry” toward cats. (Knight).
Knight clearly believes that banning marriage for homosexual’s is not taking away rights, but keeping a set of standards for marriage that he believes are best.
The religious supporters against gay marriage believe that males and females are on earth to procreate and anything else would be against God. They firmly believe that God disapproves of this behavior and condoning it will bring his wraith down on the United States. They also believe that marriage is a sacrament made with God, and since God disapproves of homosexuality, then it is impossible for a gay marriage to take place. They believe it is morally wrong to support gay marriage and do not believe the government should legally allow the couples in gay relationships to have legitimacy.
Gay rights advocates believe that a marriage should be open to any person that wants to marry another person. They believe that two willing people should be able to permanently commit to each other as a straight couple can. Supporters of gay rights point to the fact that many children are raised in a non-traditional family with only one parent or stepparents. Gay couples know that they are born into their sexual orientation and don’t believe that it can pass on to children they may adopt in the future. Proponents of gay marriage believe the government should recognize homosexual relationships as morally equivalent to marriage as they have in other once forbidden relationships.
There are those that argue that taking away marriage is a block to a persons civil rights. The American Civil Liberties Union on the subject of gay marriage says:
Same-sex couples are harmed when their relationships are not protected through marriage. All couples should be able to access the benefits and responsibilities of legally-recognized relationships, such as health insurance, unemployment compensation, immigration status, family leave, inheritance, hospital visitation, and much more. The Project’s goal is to obtain full legal recognition of LGBT relationships through domestic partnerships, civil unions, and, ultimately, marriage. (ACLU).
They clearly believe that not allowing gay marriage for couples that wish to be married is a direct violation of their civil rights and will fight for it.
Many supporters of gay rights are religious persons and believe that God understands the gay lifestyle and while they are not able to bear children many of them would choose to adopt if given the opportunity. Gay rights advocates believe this will help the United States to be a more accepting nation and will become a better place for it. Those that believe in God believe that he would accept their choice to marry, and will not condemn them for how they were born.
While there are many areas between these two groups that clash unavoidably, there are many areas where they agree but may not be open enough to notice. Both groups believe that a person marrying a child or animal or anything else that is unable to give consent is wrong. Many from both groups believe in God and believe he has a place in their life, and helps guide them in their actions. They both agree that a child needs to be raised in a loving home. They also both believe in the fundamental rights inherent with civil rights. With so many points in agreement it seems a compromise would be a possibility with some guidance.
While there are many compromises that have been suggested for gay marriage, neither group has been able to accept the terms. Some traditional family advocates have suggested a separate but equal stance where gay couples are allowed to enter into a union of sorts without calling it a marriage, but others still believe that would be conceding the fight and do not wish for any government acknowledgements. Gay rights advocates are willing to start with a civil union in the fashion that the traditional family advocates would allow, but have stated strongly that they will still continue to fight for a full marriage acknowledgement even after they are given that right.
One middle ground stance on the issue would be to remove marriage from the government completely. Instead of having the government recognize a marriage they could recognize a civil union for everyone without making a distinction between gay or straight couples. With this change in place the laws would change to protect everyone and marriage would be left up to the church where it was started in the first place. There are many churches that do not have a problem with homosexual relationships and would be willing to marry a gay couple, but there would be no law forcing a church to unwillingly marry a gay couple that they did not agree with. Changing the law is the only way to keep marriages right in the churches eyes, and the best way for everyone to receive the same rights under the law.
Works Cited
Knight, Robert H. Talking Points on Marriage. Culture & Family Institute.
22 Nov. 2008 <http://www.nogaymarriage.com/talkingpoints.html>.
Who We Are: Relationships and Marriage. American Civil Liberties Union – Lesbian
Gay Bisexual Transgender & AIDS Project. 22 Nov. 2008 <http://www.aclu.org/getequal/aboutus.html>.
Tags: Civil Union, Marriage