Same-Sex Marriage

Argumentative Essay # 111180

Gender and Sexuality
Hot Topics > Same-Sex Marriage

Same-Sex Marriage

Presents several cogent arguments in favor of legalizing same-sex marriages.

1,671 words () | 5 sources | APA | 2005 Canada

Paper Summary:

This paper argues that the US should legalize same-sex marriages. The paper looks at both sides of the contentious debate over same-sex marriages and points out that much of the opposition to same-sex marriages is based on religious dogma and tradition. The paper then argues that all individuals in the United States deserve the same rights and to achieve these rights, legislations should move away from being heavily influenced by religious dogma. The paper further contends that by denying this fundamental right, the US is moving backwards with respect to human rights and personal freedoms and liberties.

From the Paper:

"Same-sex marriage has been called a lot of different things. Most predominantly, the media in the United States has called it gay marriage. The use of such terminology provides a good starting point for an analysis of the topic of same-sex marriage. The term "gay" is used to refer to homosexual men. However, the word 'gay' has many greater connotations within American society. Gay is used as a common slag word to imply that something is stupid, worthless, unmanly, or useless. For many Americans, the word brings of connotations of the grotesque, and of the unknown. Often these connotations of the grotesque are born not out of personal experience with other gay men, but of mental imagery, fear of the unknown, ignorance and homophobia (Saunders, 1994). Thus, the media's use of the word gay in describing same-sex marriages places a connotation on the phrase before any other details of the issue are described. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Ellison, M.M. (2004). Same Sex Marriage: A Christian Ethical Analysis. Pilgrim Press.
Epstein, Steven (1999). "Gay and Lesbian Movements in the United States: Dilemmas of Identity, Diversity, and Political Strategy" in The Emergence of Gay and Lesbian Politics: National Imprints of a Worldwide Movement. Eds. Adam, Barry D., Duyvendak, Jan Willem, and Krouwel, Andre. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. (pages 20-21).
Lewis, Gregory B, and Edelson, Jonathan L. (2000). "DOMA and ENDA: Congress Votes on Gay Rights" in The Politics of Gay Rights. Eds. Rimmerman, Craig A., Wald, Kenneth D., and Wilcox, Clyde. Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press. (page 193).
Warland, Betsy (1994). "Jane and Jane Are Not the Same" in Resist: Essays Against a Homphobic Culture. Eds. Oikawa, Mona, Falconer, Dionne, and Decter, Ann. Toronto: Women's Press. (pages 151-154).
Sanders, D. (1994). Constructing Lesbian and Gay Rights. Journal of Law and Society, 9(2), 99-143.