The Pros And Cons Of Same Sex Marriage

Newsstands, television screens, and social media platforms are plastered with images of joyous same sex couples sharing a kiss or proudly waving a rainbow flag overhead. A celebratory heading in boldface commands attention amongst the sea of sensationalized celebrity news. Same sex marriage has just been legalized. The basic human right to wed can now be exercised by millions of couples. This very scene has unfolded in thirty-seven of fifty states here in America. Some would say that this is democracy working at its finest- states are implementing what is right for the people by the people. So what is the big deal? At its core, marriage between two consenting parties is an internationally recognized human right that is “essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men” (American Foundation for Equal Rights). Even so, countless couples in the U.S are denied the right to legally wed because democratic vote has rejected its …show more content…
They often cite same sex marriages as an encroachment on their religious convictions of what a ‘normal’ family is supposed to look like. What they fail to see, however, is that their values and opinions about same sex marriage should never infringe upon what is an already well- established human right that applies to all people. They must be cognizant to the notion that value opposition does not warrant the refusal of one’s freedom. To withhold one from exercising the right to marry is to violate the most basic of liberties. Further, research tells us time and time again that the best environment to raise a child in is a two-parent household filled with love. The American Psychological Association, amongst others, has proved that homosexual couples are more than capable of providing the love and guidance that a child