Gay Marriage

Gay Marriage

Brandi Johnson

Most Americans, if asked, would answer the same way. Yes, gays and lesbians should all have rights as heterosexuals as far as jobs, housing, government benefits, medical care and equal protection of the law.

Then you come to the subject of gay marriage and that is where all the beliefs and talk of equality come to an end.

More than half of all people in the U.S. oppose gay marriage. Why you ask? Let's examine some of those reasons.

Let's start with gay relationships. Contrary to popular belief, gay men and women are no more promiscuous than heterosexual men and women, they are able to form relationships that are loving and committed. Although types of relationships that go against this do exist among the gay community they also exist among the heterosexual community. Values that are exhibited daily in a straight society are exhibited in a gay society. Loyalty to their partners, monogamy, and devotion are just a few. They value and participate in family life and have a tendency to live within the law as well. They are no different from any other citizen of the U.S.

Now that we have established that gay relationships, other than the physical act itself, are no different than heterosexual ones, let's look at some other reasons gay marriages are opposed.

One reason is based on the assumption that gays can chose who they love and who they are attracted to, which is not the case. In fact, there have been numerous studies done by psychologists, counselors and religious therapy and support groups who have attempted "interventions" and all come up empty handed. Most of the groups have found these "sessions" to be emotionally damaging.

Also many people believe that gay relationships are based solely on the sexual aspect which is not the case. Any same-sex couple wants all the benefits of a heterosexual couple including but not limited to love, affection and a life-long friend. Sex, just like in a hetero-relationship, is just a physical way of expressing some of those feelings.

My personal favorite argument is that same-sex couples can't be conducive to raising children nor can they have children. Procreation, the continuation