Gloria N. Cora
A. Beaudin
English 101
September 28, 2004
Gays, Homosexuals, and Lesbians Issues: “Marriage, Community, and Rights”
There have been many issues about gays and lesbians regarding marriage, the communities were they live and their legal rights. One of the strongest issues is whether gays and lesbians should have the right to marry and what would they do if they attained those rights. Equal rights for gays and lesbians are just the most recent major social conflict.
Marriage is an institution that heterosexuals understand perfectly. Marriage should be a basic human right and an individual personal choice. Morality and religion is the most common reasons given for objecting to gay and lesbian marriage. Religious leaders are the most forceful advocates of same-sex marriage. Some faiths consider marriage an aid to religious instruction, and others call it an expression of committed love. While for others it is mainly for raising children. For example, the Roman Catholics Church defines marriage as a sacramental union between one man and one woman. The issues of marriage are very complex, especially when dealing with issues of who should and should not be married. Same-sex marriage has always raised question. For me the definition of marriage is that one must respect everyone’s Constitutional rights of free speech and free exercise of religion. From a legal point of view, marriage was established to give people that live together and want to start a family an economical means of living. Opposing to gay marriage is not herd solely by the government; rather religious institutions such as the Catholic Church and political groups oppose to the same-sex unions. Many of those who argue that homosexual marriage is wrong do it on the basis of revelation of what the Bible says. Questions like gay people could simply choose to be heterosexual if they wished. Gay people are more devoted to each other and some relations last longer than a heterosexual relationship. Gay people have a choice in who they can feel attracted to. The most often argument about gay marriage is that marriage is an institution between one man and one woman. Neither the US constitution nor any state constitution explicitly mentions a constitutional right to marry. The institution of marriage is recognized by the church, but homosexuality is not. The State should not interfere with same-gender couples who choose to marry and share fully an equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitment of civil marriage. Not everyone agreed with the Constitution, some people feel that marriage between gays and lesbians should be given the same status as heterosexual marriage. Considering that keeping gay marriage legal in all the states also will raise the question of adoption. The fact on the grounds that gay men and women will be raising children. Recognizing that lesbians and gay men can be good parents. The homosexual couple with children is the second objection to the argument and the case used most frequently to support a right for homosexuals to marry. There is no evidence to suggest that lesbians and gay men are unfit to be parents. Many might argue that growing up in a gay or lesbian household is harmful to a child. Even though, good parenting is not influenced by sexual orientation. Rather, it is influenced most profoundly by a parent's ability to create a loving and nurturing home. It does not depend on whether a parent is gay or straight. Gay or straight adoption is today an issue that must always be dealt with.
Older Americans assumed that homosexuals, gays, and lesbians are a disgrace to the community. The younger population has a different point of view about homosexuality. I strongly feel that talking about homosexuality at home with your children should be a really important in making young people more aware of the issues. Being a homosexual in the society requires a lot of self-determination. We are treating them as inferior citizens. Gays, lesbians, and homosexuals are seen as direct threat to society and to the sanity of the family. People should received homosexuals into its community and support committed gay and lesbian relationship. Many people don't accept the cultural elicit demands that life has to define by sexuality. This controversial issue has created a lot of social hatred. How really is the community affected by gays and lesbians life style? Little by little the tolerance towards homosexuality is increasing. Homosexual behavior makes heterosexuals, the majority, feel uncomfortable, however, there are those in the gay community who are just as determined that their homosexuality is a conscious choice. One of the greatest challenges facing gays is that of acceptance by the heterosexual community. Gays and lesbians should have no problems living their lives in peace and prosperity. I have to tell a story about my best friend whom I adore deeply. She is a lesbian. I witnessed some of her struggles growing up in a neighborhood in which almost everyone in that area was a Roman Catholic. I always knew she was different from the other girls. Growing up with her was challenging. We grew up in a neighborhood in which being gay or lesbian was a sin. People used to think that I was a lesbian. Sometimes people judge other people just because a person is different. Some of them used to think that if you lived near gay people, you would know that they set a very bad example. I was the only friend she had when we were in school. She was not accepted in my church because she was different. I was so angry that I told my parents I was not attending that church. My parents couldn't understand what was happening to me and why I was always so angry with everyone. One Sunday morning, I went to church and I spoke to the priest and told him that what they did to her was wrong. Since then my best friend was able to attend church services with me. I am a straight woman and she is still my best friend. We are very much aware now of social and political issues facing gays. The issue of homosexuality has always been hot-tempered, and it is sure to continue to agitate opposing groups with different viewpoints. Homosexuality has been the target of severe discrimination by society and in particular by the police and other arms of government. Gay people and their families are being attacked like never before. The fear of being known as a homosexual in this day in age would be hard enough to live, but the worry does not end there. There is also the fear of being ridiculed, assaulted, and worst-case scenario killed. I would have to think that many emotions run through a gay persons mind; perhaps the most powerfully common one fear.
Gay and lesbians right have come along way since the seventies with Stonewall. Should they have same equal rights as heterosexual people? Changes in laws affecting gay people have largely responded to the shift in public attitudes rather than driving them. For example, despite major shifts in areas such as employment, custody, and domestic partnership, there have been fewer gains. Fairness in the work place is the right thing to do. They should not have to worry about losing their job because of their sexuality. They should be afforded the same benefits as heterosexual people. Gay and lesbians should be eligible to purchased family insurance, share health benefits, file joint income tax returns, and have the right to visit a sick spouse in the hospital. Even though our society has become more tolerant of those whose lifestyle is different, there are still many who cannot or will not accept gay people. Gay and lesbian will like to enjoy the same civil rights protections as everyone else. It has been noticeable that homosexuals do not receive the same recognition as heterosexuals. Gay people should fight for the right to marry. They should have the right to adopted and raised children. Even though in some states, same-gender adoption has some degree of restriction. Gay and lesbians who support their cause the government has no right or justification to intrude into ones private life. The Constitution is about right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. These laws have been used for repression and denial of other rights and protection. The Constitution has its foundation made from the morals and beliefs of the Bible. Homosexuals have been engraving with the ideas that their behavior is morally corrupting, spiritually sinful, and legally inappropriate. Twenty states still have sodomy laws prohibiting homosexual behavior in any context. The homosexual community is more prominent than ever lesbians and gays men are fighting for civil rights in the court room and in Congress.
Discrimination against gays, lesbians, and homosexuals affects our straight society. American citizens should be able to go about their lives getting a job, finding a place to live, forming long-lasting relationships and raising children, without fear of discrimination or harassment simply because they are different from the majority of society. I really think that the purpose of government is to protect and extend equal rights to all our citizens. Homosexuals do not deserve hate, but need help. While the society and the law are still discriminatory against the homosexual community, gays and lesbians have come along way. We live in America, and in America we have freedom. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the freedom to live our lives in pursuit of happiness without segregation or oppression.
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