Gay Marriages

Introduction

The topic of gay marriages is important because of an ongoing debate regarding the legitimacy of same-sex marriages. The aim of this paper is to evaluate same-sex marriages by presenting the history of the debate and discussing the debate surrounding gay and lesbian marriages. “The paper will also address the current account of same sex marriages in different states and the frequency of such marriages (Sullivan, pp. 14).”Furthermore, the social issues related to partnerships of gay and lesbian will also be evaluated by highlighting the concerns related to and opposite to these kinds of marriages. In the end, the paper will be concluded through a brief discussion of different kinds of legal, political, and social issues associated with gay marriages. The paper hopes to provide readers with an insight of different aspects of this controversial issue.

History of Same-Sex Unions

“There is no denying the fact that there different controversies associated with same sex marriages and partnerships. However, these kinds of relationships have been present since a long time ” (Warner, pp. 35). According to the perceptions of Plato, soul is a single entity. At the time of birth, the soul divides into two halves. Plato further explained that soul mates are two halves of souls that could be male or female. These arguments of Plato suggest the presence of same-sex partnerships and couples at that time. The same-sex partnerships and gay marriages date back to ancient Greece.

By reviewing historical accounts of same-sex couples, it can be comprehended that these kinds of partnerships occur in a similar manner as marriages between different sex couples. According to the arguments of historians, gay or lesbian marriages are not a new phenomenon. In fact, it has been present since the 16th century. “The incidents of same sex unions were also recorded in the 17th century. Those incidents were recorded in China were marriages of same sex couples occurred (Wolfe, pp. 62).”

There are different historical examples that suggest the presence of same-sex partnerships in the past. It has been found from the historical review of such kinds of partnerships and marriages, that in Africa, infertile and prosperous women used to buy other women or wives. In this process, women used to provide the bride with dowry and a house. The wealthy women were also referred as husbands. In Native American tribes, gay marriages have been present since the 16th century. The tribes where gay marriages were considered to be legitimate include Timucua, Navajo, and Crow Indians. In all these tribes, gay marriages take the form of formal relationships and associations. Under these partnerships, one partner performs the role of the husband while other is assumed to be a traditional wife. “Same sex relationships and partnerships are present in the world since several years (Sullivan, pp. 14).”

Frequency

Although same sex marriages have been common in different parts of the world, there are only a few countries where such marriages are recognized in a formal and legitimate manner. The trend of acknowledging gay marriages started in 1989 in ...