So a good friend wanted to read some of what I wrote for Comp I and another who did read it, told me it was really good and I should "get it out there". Well she's one of my closest friends - so I'm not sure I totally buy that (j/k Donz!) But I figured I'd put this sadly unused blog to some good use and "get it out there". Here's one of the essays I wrote for Comp.

Academic Argumentative Essay: Marriage Equality

    When the Supreme Court of Massachusetts declared that, "the state failed to identify any constitutionally adequate reason to deny gay persons the right to marry." the battle for marriage equality began in earnest. Each side of the debate is equally passionate about their beliefs and their stand on the issue. 

    One one side, you have those who believe strongly that gay marriage has no place in this country. They believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, a biblical union designed for procreation and that belief takes precedence over all laws. Their point of view is best verbalized by presidential candidate, Rick Santorium, "I don't want to believe in an America where separation of Church and state is absolute." They believe that legalizing gay marriage will denigrate the sanctity of marriage, and lead to a slippery slope where immorality will become the rule of land. In the words of one right wing conservative, Elizabeth Hasselbeck, "if we allow men to marry men, people will then want to marry their toaster!"

    On the other side of the issue are those who believe with equal ferocity that religion should have no place in setting laws and that ultimately it is a civil rights issue. By denying some citizens the ability to marry the partner of their choice and enjoy all the encompassing rights and privileges that come with marriage; we are denying them their inalienable rights guaranteed in the constitution. I believe that time will ultimately prove them right, that the principles of our constitution will ultimately trump the religious beliefs of those that wish to block marriage equality. 

   The issue of gay marriage is ultimately an issue of fairness. The legal institution of marriage provides approximately 1,049 benefits and protections to married couples such as: 

• Being named guardian for an incapacitated spouse
• The rights of survivor benefits upon the death of a veteran spouse. 
• Numerous inheritance right, including priority in inheriting property of a spouse who dies without a will. 
• The right to 59 distinct federal tax deductions available to those  filing as married. 

   As it stand as this time committed gay and lesbian couples even those who have been together for decades, have no guarantee that their legal wishes will be honored in their death. The fact that a gay partner can be banned from being at the deathbed of their long time  partner because they are not "legally" wed is a travesty that this country must correct. 

   There are some that say that the majority of American's are against gay marriage and while that premise is highly questionable - so what if it is true? Do the rights and beliefs of the majority trump the rights of a minority? Our country is not only a Democracy but a constitutional Democracy. The result of that is that it is designed to express the will of the people and simultaneously protect the rights of minorities. Our ancestors fled to these shores for exactly that purpose. They came to have freedom of religion as well as freedom from the religion of others.  Historically, we have always balanced the will of the majority with the rights of the minority. Had we waited for the majority of Americans to believe in equality for African Americans this country would never have moved forward with dismantling the racist laws which existed. 

  

   The most commonly cited reason for being against gay marriage is religion. They believe that homosexuality is a sin. One of the strongest advocates for this line of thinking is Kirk Cameron, actor and evangelical advocate. In his words, "I believe that homosexuality is unnatural, it's detrimental ad ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilizations. I believe that marriage was defined by God a long time ago as one man and one woman till death do you part. So no, I do not support gay marriage." Mr. Cameron's logic is flawed on so many levels. While an absolute genetic link has not yet been discovered many scientists  believe it will be proven to be genetic not "a choice." Furthermore homosexual behavior is commonly found in nature, among birds, mammals, and primates. It's hard to claim that a behavior is "unnatural" when it is practiced spontaneously by animals in the wild. 

   As to the claim that marriage was defined by God, that definition is not located in the Bible anywhere. In fact, most men in the Bible, particularly in the old Testament had more than one wife. Even more disturbingly, the Bible and Paul specifically, also advocate slavery and the subjugation of women, ideas which have long passed from favor i modern society. To hold fast to one antiquated belief system while simultaneously rejecting other, is not only hypocritical, but also blatantly biased and prejudiced. 

   The exact meaning of various passages can and will likely be debated for eternity, but ultimately that's irrelevant. Because as long as we live in a country that protects our freedom of and from religion we cannot legislate based on the religious principles of one group - even if that group is the majority. 

   Ultimately, all arguments against gay marriage fall apart in the face of one single fact. This country is based on protecting and preserving the inalienable rights of all it's citizens. Marriage equality is a civil rights issue. A segment of our population is being denied their civil rights, rights that a majority of Americans freely and happily enjoy and that cannot be allowed to continue.