Same Sex Marriage

Homosexuality and the rights of homosexuals have been long debated in the United States of America. Although homosexuals have made head way in the past and gained a multitude of rights, many topics surrounding homosexuality continue to remain controversial. In the case of marriage between two people of the same sex, some say it is right, some say it is wrong, but to the yea-sayers and nay-sayers; what makes it right or wrong? There is no definitive aswer to the question, but this is America, the land of the free and home of the brave. Expanding the rights of homosexuals to include a legally recognized marriage can only strengthen American society and make this truly the land of the free.

Besides the aspect of religion, the controversy lies in the necessity to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. An older edition of The American Heritage Dictionary (Third Edition, 1996) defines marriage as the legal union of a man and woman as husband and wife (Karasu). A later edition of the Oxford English Dictionary (2005) now includes a definition of marriage as sometimes referring to a union of two of the same sex (Karasu).

Historically, marriage had very little to do with love, personal bliss, or the like. Provisions of marriage created connections amongst families and communities; a way to centralize resources and create strong defenses. Other purposes for the institution of marriage were the fact that it created in-laws and established political and social advancement for the wealthy, inheritance rights, the ability to procreate, and elevation to labor force for the poor.

Some nay-sayers of same sex marriage are autonomous in saying it will deconstruct the institution of marriage. The destruction of marriage has already occurred. Women have babies outside of marriage, people have sex outside of marriage, and people love each other outside of marriage. According to Karasu, “one-third of all babies born are outside of marriage, but in the...