An Argument in Favor of Allowing Gay Marriage

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Other essays and articles in the Arguments Archives related to this topic include : Gay Marriage and the Crisis of Definitions   •   •  Summary Review of Civil Wars: A Battle for Gay Marriage by David Moats  • Questioning Restrictions on Adoption for Certain Individuals  •  Argumentative Analysis of the Essay "First Amendment Junkie" by Susan Jacoby

One of the most contentious aspects to arguing for gay marriage is that so many of the arguments that are advanced to make the case against legislation condoning gay marriage are based on religious tenets (Adam, 2003; Rauch, 2005) and thus “proving” anything with data does not always work when constructing an argument. The catchphrase, “God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve,” is clever, but it is hardly convincing as an argument for the religious rationale against gay marriage. As the examination of many other social phenomena reveals, interpretations of biblical scripture are often both literal and narrow, and such approaches to the exegesis of religious mandates are limiting and erroneous.

 If God made every man and woman in His image, and if God made no imperfect creature, then how can homosexuals be condemned? It stands to reason, then, that the rights and privileges afforded to heterosexual couples should also be extended to homosexual couples, and one of those rights is marriage. There is no convincing evidence that substantiates the claim that gay marriage is a threat to the Judeo-Christian values upon which the country was founded. Furthermore, the philosophical and legal precedents established by the Constitution mandate that the government maintain a strict division between church and state. Although the United States does not have the best track record in upholding this command from our forefathers, the very existence of this mandate should caution critics against an argument that is opposed to the legalization of gay marriage based on religious grounds.

A third point, and one that is closely related to the second, is that the values upon which this country was founded clearly state that the rights and privileges of life as an American are to be extended to all citizens. Admittedly, throughout this country’s history there has been a shameful pattern of denying rights to historically marginalized groups: women, men, immigrants, and people of color. With each of these groups, though, Americans have eventually realized that the extension of rights and privileges of citizenship are not limited to the majority; they are the fundamental constitutional protections and guarantees that must, by law and spirit, be assured for all segments of this country’s population. The denial of marriage rights to people who identify as homosexuals is thus a violation of constitutional assurances. For those gay couples who wish to consummate and consecrate their union through the institution of marriage, the right to do so should be available and guaranteed by the laws of the land.

Gay marriage remains a controversial issue in this country because it is often conflated with closely held religious values and beliefs. Regardless of individuals’ personal beliefs, however, the values and laws upon which the nation was founded demand that the right of marriage be extended to all consenting adults, irrespective of sexual orientation. Marriage is an institution and contract that builds society, and by allowing gay adults to marry, the government would be contributing to social stabilization, a characteristic which is desperately needed as the divorce rate among heterosexual couples escalates and the country is confronted with numerous social problems. Empirical and sociological research shows that other countries that have permitted gay marriage have not suffered in any way as the result of doing so; on the contrary, many indicators of social stability improved. For these reasons, the United States federal government should adopt legislation that permits gay marriage.

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References 

Adam, B.D. (2003). The Defense of Marriage Act and American exceptionalism: The “gay marriage” panic in the United States. Journal of the History of Sexuality, 12(2), 259-276.

Rauch, J. (2005). Gay marriage: Why it’s good for gays, good for straights, and good for America. New York: Henry Holt.

Sampson, R.J., & Laub, J.H. (1992). Crime and deviance in the life course. Annual Review of Psychology, 18(1), 63+.