Does Gay Marriage Corrupt the Institution of Marriage?

          The formal definition of marriage states that “1.) marriage a formal union of a man and a woman, typically recognized by law, by which they become husband and wife. 2.) A relationship between married people or the period of which it lasts” (Google, 2013).  Marriage and the ideas that support this concept have weakened at a fast rate in our country.  Currently there is only 50% chance that this union of marriage will last and not end in divorce.  Also the original idea of reproduction in this country was based on the foundation of marriage and that we should wait till marriage to reproduce. The amount of births in the country out of wedlock has increased rapidly over the past few years which challenges the original definition of what marriage stands for.  Individuals in our society who oppose gay marriage use the foundation of marriage and what it stands for their argument.  They feel that they should do anything in their power to protect the beliefs and values of marriage.  In opposition to the idea of gay marriage, what is it that the marriage between two men or two females actually challenges the institution of marriage?

            A common argument for the opposition of gay marriages is that in essence that the acceptance of gay marriage will create a movement of moral decay and that the homosexual community is looking to corrupt our country and mock what marriage stands for. These ideas society has created about the gay community simply derives from the inaccurate stereotypes and biases they have created through fear.  Homosexual couples are not looking to oppose or corrupt the concept of marriage, but rather are looking for the same equal rights as a heterosexual couples.  They want the same chance at love and happiness and the rights this union between two people that are associated with this.  The idea of marriage is based on the expression of love.  Things such as race, sexual orientation, or religion should not be restricted, but we need embrace love in all aspects and given the same rights to move forward in life with our partner.

            People sometimes do not realize the effects the absence of marriage can bring to a homosexual couple.  For example if two men or two women have been together and are in a committed relationship they do not have the right to make any type of medical decisions for their partner.  A homosexual couple is also not able to receive health insurance, life insurance, or disability benefits from their spouse as opposed to a heterosexual couple who is able to benefit because of marriage. If a gay couples spouse passes away, they have absolutely no rights to make any decisions in regards to what happens to any of their belongings, funeral arrangements, or the remains of their partner.  Families automatically get granted these rights and a homosexual partner is completely disregarded because our country does not accept this kind of love.  The love and responsibilities are the same between two people no matter what their sexual orientation.  So why is it that our society thinks one group should be denied the right to have this love stand for something more, which is based on the idea of marriage. 

            Keith Olberman in an article he wrote in our text book of Gay Marriage is a question of love puts it best “you are asked now, by your country, and perhaps by your creator, to stand on one side or another.  You are asked now to stand, not on a question of politics, not on a question of religion, not on a question of gay or straight.  You are asked now to stand, on a question of love.  All you need to do is stand, and let the tiny ember of love meet its own fate” (Rothenberg, 2010, p. 448).  I couldn’t agree more with this message and what he is conveying in these few sentences.  People in our society really need to dig down deep and look at the reasoning’s behind why our country still opposes the marriage among the gay community.  Just because it’s not something that you can understand doesn’t mean it’s something that holds less value.  We all deserve to love whomever we want in life and be able to live with the same rights as everyone else.  Just because someone is a heterosexual couple doesn’t mean their love should stand for something more.

References:

Rothenberg, P. S. (2010). Race, class, and gender in the united states. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Arguing Equality. (2013, February 25). An interactive web guide to understanding and presenting the case for same-sex marriage. Retrieved from www.arguingequality.org