GAYS RIGHT TO MARRIAGE

Gays Right To Marriage

Gays Right To Marriage

Introduction

Homosexuality is an abomination. These few words were spoken more than two thousand years ago by Moses, who was conveying the ordinances of the Lord God. Today they are still the conviction of millions, including myself. Nevertheless, even though we may feel strongly against carnal relationships and particularly marriages between two people of the same sex, morals cannot be proven; morals cannot be placed on a witness stand and judged for the purpose of determining whose morals are an acceptable standard. Therefore, in order to operate as a fair and just nation, we should base all decisions regarding the legality of gay and lesbian marriage on existing legal standards.

Discussion

These legal standards were developed and based on the principles of freedom and democracy on which our country was founded. The Declaration of Independence states that All men are created equal (Wallace, 2008, pp 203). This is to say that all men are endowed with the same inherent rights. Three of the most basic of these are the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If two adults of the same sex consider being married to each other as part of their pursuit of happiness, it should be their legal right to do so.

Failure to recognize their marriage as a legal institution would be unequal treatment of homosexual couples, since heterosexual couples are permitted to marry as they please. What those who oppose homosexual marriage must remember is that the freedom that permits same-sex marriage is the same freedom that allows Christians to worship God and read their bibles without persecution.

Since the former of the two is currently being denied, it is a contradiction to permit the latter, because both marriage and religious freedom are primary pursuits of happiness to those who hold them as such, regardless of what type of marriage or religion they may subscribe to. Section I of Amendment XIV to the Constitution states, No state shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. (Wallace, 2008, pp 203)

Therefore, the same legal protection that is granted to heterosexual marriages should be extended to all marriages of consenting adults who are citizens of the US, regardless of their sexual orientation. Thus, the Constitution protects gay and lesbian marriages, just as ...