I
recently read an editorial in the New York Times, regarding same sex marriage. To be perfectly honest, I was originally against it. Marriage was first intended to be
between a man and a woman, but in recent years, more gay and lesbian couples have joined in matrimony. One of the major arguments regarding same sex marriage is the sanctity of it will be lost if gays and lesbians are allowed to marry. Really?? Marriage has not been taken seriously by straight couples in quite some time. More marriages end in divorce, and have spoke people such as Tiger Woods and Kim Kardashian to keep the "sanctity" of it alive.Who am I or anyone else to stop same sex couples from wanting to have
their relationship validated?
Currently there are only seven states that have passed a same sex
marriage law. But what is stopping others from passing the law? I believe it
can be summed up with one word; fear. This is the same word that caused
hesitation to let African Americans have the same rights as Whites, and it was
also felt when women wanted to voice their opinion and vote. People do not like
change. But I believe as a country we are ready. The gay/lesbian community is
not asking for people to agree and join in on their lives, they're just asking
for their relationships to be taken seriously by the country they work for and
live in. America seems to forget that many of the men and women fighting for us
come home and must hide their partners from everyone. I am for equality for
all; I support gay marriage.
I wish I could say that I agreed with my peer that the United States was ready for gay marriage, but I think that we have a long way to go for true equality in this nation. In her article, "Same Sex Marriage," she makes great points about the sanctity of marriage - or the lack of it for those in the public eye, but leaves out so much more on the challenges we face to get to where we need to be. I agree that it is fear that prevents us from moving forward to a more equal nation, but that fear is deep in the hearts of many, especially in the south. However, the biggest problem that we face, is that the definition of marriage is a reserved power in the Constitution. This means that the states will individually have to decide to alter their definition of marriage, and that the US Government does not have the power to make this change. These are the same states that invented Jim Crowe laws, and that were integrated by threat of force only 50 years ago. I want to say that equality will win out, but I am far too much of a realist to think that forcing someone to question their narrow-minded or religious beliefs will be easy or painless. I support gay marriage, but I also see the long road ahead that we must walk to get there.
ReplyDeleteI greatly enjoy, and agree with, the recent post made by a fellow government student entitled, “Same Sex Marriage.” Although I think that the legal road that needs to be taken in order to pass same sex marriage laws will be a long and rough one, I think that it is something that can in fact be done, and needs to be done. I think that the only thing stopping these laws from coming to pass is, as her post so acutely put it, fear. I could not agree more, and had to laugh out loud, when I read the comment about Tiger Woods and Kim Kardashian. It’s true, straight people have been successfully making a mockery of the sanctity of marriage for decades now. So, if the sanctity of marriage is obviously not the problem here, I must agree with you, it’s all about fear. I do believe that the main source of fear directed at the homosexual life style stems from Christianity. Apparently, according to the Old Testament in the Bible, homosexuality is an abomination to God, and if we are taking the Old Testament literally, I sure hope none of you good Christians have had any shrimp, lobster, rabbit, pork, etc. recently (Leviticus 11:4-47), or have wore any clothing of mixed fabrics (Leviticus 19:19), because apparently those things are abominations to God as well. There is although, a list in Proverb 6:16-19 of things that God apparently does hate, and homosexuality isn’t one of them. So yes, I believe your post was extremely insightful and accurate. Ignorant fear is what is stopping numerous upstanding citizens of this country from being able to have a lawful union with the person they choose to love. I also support gay marriage.
ReplyDeleteIn her March 30th blog, Wife of a Veteran discussed same sex marriage and how she has changed her opinion recently from being against it, to supporting it. I wish I could read the article she mentions because it seems interesting, but there is no link. All in all, It seems her opinion is a well considered one, and that she has questioned and challenged her own opinion of this topic to come to her final, very accepting conclusion. I think the subject matter was well covered, although there are few angles I'd have liked to know her opinion of (ex: the legal aspects of marriage and why same sex marriage is an issue in that arena). Throughout her post the point I enjoyed most (which I have translated into my own words) was: Men and women have been trivializing marriage for a long time now! All we have to show for the so called "sanctity" of marriage is what movie stars do with it and the very scary divorce rate. This led me to the conclusion: Who cares if they have the same anatomy? Why does it even matter anymore? If two people want to commit to stand next to eachother for the rest of their lives... I cant see a reason to say no. I also cant see any reason to take away the legal and financial benefits of getting married when, in the end, thats all just paperwork anyway.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, even though it was a relatively short post, I feel enlightened having read her blog, and I look forward to what she writes in the future.
In reading my fellow classmates blog regarding same sex marriage I agree that
ReplyDeletefear is something that has prevented America from moving forward through one of the most powerful social issues that continues to divide our country-Gay Marriage. The "Wife of a Veteran" makes solid points when bringing up the past fears our nation has hurdled over such as slavery, women s right to vote and overall equal opportunity for man.
Today we stand strong by a President Barack Obama, whom recently defended his view that gay couples should have the right to marry, saying that the country has never gone wrong when it "expanded rights and responsibilities to everybody." he affirmed that "same-sex couples should be able to get married" Barack Obama's social issue stand on same sex marriage is bold and keys in on a personal belief. This is definitely a strong statement that is sure to set a milestone in American politics.
Obama has finally touched on a subject that many steer clear from. This topic touches religion and long standing traditions. I firmly agree with my peers' statement on how America is ready for change. I believe that we have a leader that can pave the road for that very change. Marriage can maintain its sacredness between man/women, women/women or man/man. It is a commitment between two people regardless of gender. I am very interested to see how this plays out in Congress.