Socio-Political Issue Links
Same-Sex Marriage: Global Comparisons -http://www.cfr.org/society-and-culture/same-sex-marriage-global-comparisons/p3117776+ countries where homosexuality is illegal -http://76crimes.com/76-countries-where-homosexuality-is-illegal/
76 Countries Where Anti-Gay Laws Are As Bad As Or Worse Than Russia’s -http://www.buzzfeed.com/saeedjones/76-countries-where-anti-gay-laws-are-as-bad-as-or-worse-than
Should Gay Marriage Be Legal? - http://gaymarriage.procon.org
Should Same-Sex Marriages be Legalized? -http://www.balancedpolitics.org/same_sex_marriages.htm
Gay Marriage Should Be Legal -http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?
displayGroupName=Viewpoints&zid=bc1f7a0cd556407b5dac020e0bf8bb89&action=2&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010014232&userGroupName=viva2_tcc&jsid=a07d470d801ca4129b5ed4c940c2cf10
Pros & Cons of Gay marriage -
10 Reasons Why Homosexual “Marriage” is Harmful and Must be Opposed -
A Common Missed Conception -
Same-Sex Marriage and Religion: An Inappropriate Relationship -
http://journals.chapman.edu/ojs/index.php/e-Research/article/view/87/307
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights have globally made momentous gains in recent decades, although approval of non-heterosexual orientations remains uneven across and within countries. Same-sex marriage is currently legal in fourteen countries, the majority of which are in Europe and South America. Traditionally, marriage has been defined as a religious & legal commitment between a man and woman, as well as the ultimate expression of love. Homosexual relationships are increasingly gaining acceptance in countries; however, these couples have not been permitted to marry. Many democracies provide varying degrees of legal rights to same-sex couples, including full marriage rights, limited civil union status, and no legal recognition at all. Some states have considered a new form of commitment called a "civil union", which essentially is marriage without using the word "marriage".
Marriage is a societal right which is practised worldwide. It is a practise of giving legal formality to relationships that society has deemed deserving of it. Marriage is often linked to religion, however, it is not a religious institution. As marriage is a social right, it is not for religion to regulate; it is for society and for society to turn to Parliament to express our views of what society deem acceptable. Accordingly, denying Homosexuals the right to get married is a violation of religious freedom. Civil and religious freedoms are two different things and even though all major religions consider homosexuality to be a sin, Article 1 of the United Nations Declaration of Human rights states "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood." Thus, all human beings regardless of their sexuality are entitled to publicly celebrate their commitment in the same way as heterosexual couples.
If same sex marriage was to be legalised it would come to be easier for same sex couples to adopt, providing stable home for children who would otherwise be left in foster care. Since same sex couples can not reproduce the number of adoptions should increase. In the US, 100,000 children are waiting to be adopted. A longitudinal study published in Pediatrics on June 7, 2010 found that children of lesbian mothers were rated higher than children of heterosexual parents in social and academic competence and had fewer social problems ("Gay Marriage," 2013). Much the same as Heterosexual couple relationship, a same-sex marriage may encourage the desire for a family. Considering, gay couples cannot have kids naturally, this will likely increase the desire to adopt.
Denying same-sex couples the right to marry stigmatizes gay and lesbian familiesas inferior and sends the message that it is acceptable to discriminate against them. In New Zealand, The Human Rights Act 1993 protects people in New Zealand from discrimination in a number of areas of life. Discrimination occurs when a person is treated unfairly or less favourably than another person in the same or similar circumstances. Therefore, denying these marriages is a form of minority discrimination. Denying marriage to a homosexual couple is no different than denying marriage to Hispanic or black couples.
Legalising Same Sex Marriage
The institution of marriage has traditionally been considered as the formal union of a man and a woman, typically recognised by the law, where they become husband and wife. Nonetheless, over the recent decades the idea of allowing same-sex couples to be legally wed has arisen and has become an acceptable concept in many modern societies. This essay will discuss the varying degrees of legal rights given to same-sex couples by many democracies, how marriage is a societal right which all couples should be entitled to, if same-sex couples were allowed to wed the likelihood of adoption rates to increase, that denying same-sex couples to marry may be considered a form of discrimination and that the only fact that should matter about marriage is love.
If same sex marriage was to be legalised it would come to be easier for same sex couples to adopt, providing stable home for children who would otherwise be left in foster care. Since same sex couples can not reproduce the number of adoptions should increase. In the US, 100,000 children are waiting to be adopted. A longitudinal study published in Pediatrics on June 7, 2010 found that children of lesbian mothers were rated higher than children of heterosexual parents in social and academic competence and had fewer social problems ("Gay Marriage," 2013). Much the same as Heterosexual couple relationship, a same-sex marriage may encourage the desire for a family. Considering, gay couples cannot have kids naturally, this will likely increase the desire to adopt.
Denying same-sex couples the right to marry stigmatizes gay and lesbian familiesas inferior and sends the message that it is acceptable to discriminate against them. In New Zealand, The Human Rights Act 1993 protects people in New Zealand from discrimination in a number of areas of life. Discrimination occurs when a person is treated unfairly or less favourably than another person in the same or similar circumstances. Therefore, denying these marriages is a form of minority discrimination. Denying marriage to a homosexual couple is no different than denying marriage to Hispanic or black couples.
The only thing that should matter in marriage is love. The main reason for heterosexuals marry is not to create legal status, allow joint filing of taxes, or protect each other in medical decision-making. They marry because it is the ultimate expression of a person's love for another. Marriage is a life-long commitment.
Lastly, this idea that the institution of marriage is solely for a man and woman may be considered outdated by many in todays society. There are many positives that come with allowing same-sex couples to marry, as previously stated in the essay. Although, people may argue that Homosexuality is a sin, I believe everyone is entitled to marriage. As it is seen as an ultimate expression of love, same-sex couples deserve to be able to experience marriage just like a Heterosexual couple without discrimination and interference.
References
Baker, B. (2010). Same-Sex Marriage and Religion: An Inappropriate Relationship. Retrieved from http://journals.chapman.edu/ojs/index.php/e-Research/article/view/87/307
CFR.org Staff. (2013). Same-Sex Marriage: Global Comparisons. Retrieved from http://www.cfr.org/society-and-culture/same-sex-marriage-global-comparisons/p31177
Kellard, J. (2012). Gay Marriage Should Be Legal. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=Viewpoints&zid=bc1f7a0cd556407b5dac020e0bf8bb89&action=2&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010014232&userGroupName=viva2_tcc&jsid=a07d470d801ca4129b5ed4c940c2cf10
Pro Con Lists. (2013). Pros & Cons of Gay marriage. Retrieved from http://www.proconlists.com/list/society-culture/gay-marriage/9762
Same sex marriage today has been permitted now in NZ, however there are still many countries doesn't. I think New Zealand could be a good standard for many other countries. Although here are lots of challenges, there is still a future we could see. It will be better if you could hyperlink some words to your 10 links. Cool work:)
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