Arguments for Gay Marriage Part 1: The "Why Not?" Argument

Over the last few years, the topic of gay marriage has been in the news frequently. Whether the subject of heated debate between pundits or the subject of legislation such as California's Proposition 8, gay marriage is a hot topic. However, gay marriage is also a polarizing topic, and there is little reasoned discussion about the issue. I believe that two adults should be able to do as they wish with regard to marriage, and in a series of op-ed pieces, I intend to advocate for the ability of gay adults to wed legally.

My argument in support of gay marriage in this article is to ask, "Why should gay marriage not be legal?"

The only argument against gay marriage with any sort of basis in logic is that employers would be forced to pay spousal benefits for newly-married gay employees, which might be difficult in these economic times. However, this is an argument against all marriage, or at least spousal benefits. This is no justification for hundreds of thousands of Americans not to be able to express their love and commitment legally.

The common argument that allowing gay marriage will somehow devalue heterosexual marriage is neither based in logic nor reality. The divorce rate of heterosexual married couples is equal to or greater than 50%, meaning that half or more than half of straight marriages end in divorce. When the majority of heterosexual marriages end in divorce, it is necessary to blame heterosexuals for devaluing marriage. Ironically, it is so often male politicians and public figures vehemently opposed to gay rights and gay marriage that are caught having affairs with women other than their wives, and occasionally, and more satisfyingly, with men.

Will allowing gay marriage "cause" more kids to be homosexual? First, I find the notion that people have any choice about their sexual orientation to be ludicrous. Second, I don't think it matters whether sexual orientation is a function of nature or nurture. Worrying about this only reinforces the idea that sexual orientation is important, when in fact it is only important to an individual and his or her partner. When we worry about sexuality, we set ourselves and our society back.

If, in a modern America, we are to see past race and gender, why must we continue to discriminate based on sexuality? There is no logical justification for denying homosexuals the right to marry, only emotional arguments and fearmongering. Let's let adults marry regardless of sexuality and get past unfair, bigoted policies.