Same-Sex Marriage

In the 21st century, we as a society have witnessed science and technology that seems to be infinitely changing, as if the sky is truly the limit. Our society is full of equality and equal opportunities. Yet for a society that prides themselves on being superior in equality, we still discriminate against homosexual people and their right to marriage. Same-sex marriage is a big issue in the United States and the rest of the world. Some are against it, some are for it. There are negative and positive reasons why society thinks it should be legal or illegal. The only thing that matters in a marriage is love. There are millions of straight couples that have families together, but despise one another. Marriage is commitment between two people that love each other and want to share the rest of their life together. It shouldn’t matter if the couple is two women or two men. Some people argue that the institution of marriage is intended to bond one man and one woman and that the definition of marriage makes same-sex marriage improper. But, this paper is intended to show that the modern definition of marriage should be one that allows for all lovers to experience it.

Interracial marriage was illegal in the United States until 1967, just forty-five years ago. When we as human beings look back at how our ancestors used to treat darker skinned people, we’re appalled and ashamed. When future generations look back on how our society treats homosexually, they will be appalled and ashamed also. Hundreds of years ago, the idea of interracial relationships was forbidden. People weren’t allowed to marry each other because of the color of their skin. Now, people aren’t allowed to marry each other because of the organs they were born with. We don’t want to leave bad marks on this earth when we leave it. We want the world to remember who we were in a positive way, not negative. However, people don’t seem to realize the consequences of their actions. Sean Covey once said, “We are free to choose our paths, but we can’t choose the consequences that come with them.” (http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/consequences)
While marriage is something sacred between the couple, there are other advantages to getting married. In the United States, getting married helps you get numerous of benefits. Benefits like; employment assistance, joint parenting rights, joint adoption and foster care, insurance etc. According to www.divorcerate.org, forty-one percent of all American couples end in divorce. That’s almost half of all married couples. Marriage is supposed to be a lifetime, everlasting relationship between two people. But, nowadays, people get divorced like they’re going out for ice-cream.
While only five percent of all American citizens are homosexual (http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/05/americans-have-no-idea-how-few-gay-people-there-are/257753/ ), that’s still over 15,579,595 people! 15,579,595 that don’t have the same rights as the rest of the population. 15,579,595 that get treated badly, bullied and judged for being who they are and who they’re meant to be. 15,579,595 people that want to show the world their love to one another but cant. On an online survey I conducted, one of the comments was, “My sister is a lesbian and I want to be her maid of honor someday in a REAL wedding, not a courthouse ceremony”. By that statement, it’s obvious that it’s not only the bride or the groom’s dream to get married in an actual ceremony; their families want to witness it also. All parents dream about their children getting married. While some might be surprised when they find out to whom they want to spend the rest of their lives with, (in most cases) at the end of the day they just want their child to be happy.
On May 9th 2012, President Barack Obama stood up and told the world what he truly believes in, despite the hypocritical responses that would follow. He said the following during a life-changing, tough election that’s going on right now with Mitt Romney, "I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or Marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married” (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/obama-gay-marriage_n_1503245.html). President Barack Obama is not only the first African-American president, but he’s also the first president to support same-sex marriage (and admit it).
Results:

Above are the results from surveys distributed to thirty people (fifteen males and fifteen females) aged twenty to thirty years old.

The bar graph above indicates results from thirty surveys distributed to fifteen people aged thirty and above from each gender

Collecting the results, people that are from the Middle East are usually the ones who don’t support same-sex marriage because of religious beliefs; however, that isn’t always the case. More people aged thirty-plus don’t support same-sex marriage than people that do. A surprising discovery was an opinion from a thirty-four year old man from Egypt. I interviewed this person and he said the following; “I really support this survey, I also think that this should be placed in polls around the US. This isn't something that should be kept. It would be interesting to know the opinion of others around the US and the world for that matter. I also think that we are who we are and shouldn't have to change just because society thinks that because we are not looked upon great by the US we shouldn't have a right to express it. We and the same sex marriage should not have to change or hide. We have been in the closet for so long that sweetie we already know how to dress and dress others. I think we know more about that then most straight people. I have many straight and gay friends everywhere. I see this has people limiting the rights of others just because they are not ok with it or even they might have issues coming out and being who they are to the public. I also do respect the straight people and do agree with some as far as some gay people are out there and does disrespect the straight community I do not agree with the way some gays handle the situation. however that's not all of us, some of us are right in front of you weather police, fire fighter, teachers, gardeners, models, friends, family we are everywhere some not out, some yes we are out however does it matter if we are or not does not change what we do, how we act, or what we stand for, however in some eyes that does matter but for what reason, you should know even some people in your church are gay. How would that make you feel they believe in most things that they say in your church? Anyway I might have said a lot. I do apologies. However this is a topic. That I am very fond of.” Another statement received from a hand-written survey was; “They should be able to have the right to get married because they are the same as we are.” Homosexuals shouldn’t be put in a specific category in the social calendar just because of who they are. Everyone is different and everyone has the right to be themselves.

Each generation has their own opinion about what’s going on around the world. Starting this project, I was expecting the results I received. Older generations are not as open-minded when it comes to same-sex marriage like younger generations are. People from the Middle East also are not supporters of same-sex marriage (which was expected because of the religion). However, I’m positive society is going to change their minds about this subject. Maybe not in our lifetime, but it will happen. Just like how our great-great-great-great-great grandparents probably didn’t believe in interracial marriage, we on the other hand do. Our future generations will have a different opinion than what we have now. We can’t judge nor can we change the minds of people with strong opinions; however, we can try to convince them to keep an open mind.

Reference Page: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/consequences http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/05/americans-have-no-idea-how-few-gay-people-there-are/257753/ Garance Franke-Ruta Americans Have No Idea How Few Gay People There Are, May 31 2012, 2:17 PM ET

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/obama-gay-marriage_n_1503245.html
Sam Stein, Obama Backs Same Sex Marriage, May 9, 2012, Huffington Post.

www.divorcerate.org