Discussion on The Importance of Gay Marriage Legalization

Why is it important to people in same-sex relationships for gay marriage to be legalized? In the United States, there are only 14 states in which gay couples can marry. (Quin, Campbell) The truth is those who are homosexuals do not receive the same benefits as heterosexuals. Also, they believe it is their right to be who they are, and be equal to everyone else. It is important to those who are in same-sex relationships, for gay marriage to be legal for several reasons. There are few states in which gay marriage is legal.

In 2004, 13 states had ballot initiatives on whether their state constitutions should include a ban on gay marriage. (Quin, Campbell) The overall reason for the ban on gay marriage is because the Christian bible says that marriage of the same sex is sin.

In Romans 1:24-27 the bible says Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

This means that man sinned against God in lust for one another and they were punished. For Christians it is unbiblical. Anti gay marriage groups often argue that allowing gay marriage, which is against the teachings of many churches, is an impediment of religious freedom. (Gay Marriage Debate)

Other anti gay marriage groups argues that gay marriage raises divorce rates.

Research from the newest census, along with the studies from the Center for Disease Controls National Vital Statistics System, shows that states allowing gay marriage have lower divorce rates. Of the eight states that allow same-sex marriage, five of those have the lowest divorce rates in the United States. Data taken from 2009 showed the average divorce rate at 41.2 percent, while states that did not allow same-sex marriage had an average divorce rate of 53.2 percent, not counting Nevada. Nevada skews the statistics because it performs so many out-of-state marriages in Las Vegas.(Gay Marriage Debate) This statistic provides proof that the accusation an anti gay marriage group made, that same-sex marriage raises divorce rates, is false.

In the eyes of most homosexuals there is nothing wrong with their sexuality. However right or wrong they may be, their reasons for believing so, are accurate. They believe that ending the gay marriage ban would further integrate gay culture into an open society. (Gay Marriage Debate) And gay couples face a wealth of prejudice, including the assumption that gay men and lesbians are promiscuous and incapable of sustaining a committed relationship. But the most pressing problem for homosexuals, aside from not being able to marry the person that they love, is that gay couples miss out on marriage-related benefits that heterosexuals receive.

Gay couples miss out on medical benefits, life insurance, child support, and tax benefits. Partners cannot make medical decisions outside of their home state, if a death may occur, the deceaseds partner receives no pension of life insurance, no child support or spousal benefits are guaranteed out of state, and those in a civil union can only file a joint tax return on the state level. (Gay Marriage Debate)

Marriage benefits, integrating gay culture, and decreased divorce rates aside, homosexuals just want freedom. Because of separation of church and state, it is a no-brainer to them that gay marriage should just be legal. To those who are in same-sex relationships, the legalization of gay marriage is essential because they want to be able to freely marry the person they love, they want to be themselves without being judged, they want health benefits, marriage-benefits, and most of all they want to be happy.