Lauren Hess Mr.

Baum English 406 8 September 2013

Equality for All

Against:
Promotes polygamy and incest Against Christian beliefs Conveys approval of homosexual lifestyle Not in the best interests for children, who should be raised by a man and woman Same-sex marriage is like opening a Pandoras Box which would lead to the legalization of polygamy Marriage is for the continuation of the human race and the raising of children Opposes nature because the birthing process is not natural

For:
Extends a civil right to a minority group An unconstitutional discrimination against a group of people Should be a clear separation between church and state: opposing God is not a valid enough reason for the government to prevent another groups basic rights There is no difference/should be no difference between a man/woman and a man/man or woman/woman Homosexuals should be allowed to officially seal their love for one another by the highest honor one can bestow upon one another: marriage Homosexuality is not a choice: no one can simply choose to be straight, just as one cannot choose to be gay

American National Institutions in the US have said: that the denial for same-sex marriage undermines the very definition of marriage Homosexuals form long-term, committed relationships equal to heterosexual couples Children with same-sex parents are just as psychologically healthy as children with heterosexual parents Same-sex partners are just as capable parents as heterosexual parents

This research was conducted by the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Nursing and the National Association of Social Workers. This country was founded on the belief of a clear, distinct separation between church and state. So why is it that, one of the largest groups in the United States, where 1 in every 10 people identifies as LGBQT, is denied their basic constitutional rights and marital equality? While many argue that homosexuality is a lifestyle, in reality there is no choice for a gay or lesbian individual. Saying that a same-sex couple cannot raise a child properly is the same as saying a single mother or father cannot either. From my own experiences, being primarily raised by my mother has shown that there is no absolute need for both a mother and father, and that children can turn out fine without one of them. A same-sex marriage is still a valid marriage, whether the birth of a child is natural or not. Many heterosexual couples either choose to not have children at all or cannot conceive, but that does not make their marriage any less valid than any another heterosexuals.