To be denied the opportunity to marry is to be locked out of one of life’s main identity-defining rituals. Marriage is both an expressive and legal act but for many same-sex couples around the world, it is not an option. Should our legal definition of marriage be expanded to include same-sex couples?
Gay marriage should be legalized
Same-sex couples should enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples and be allowed to marry.
Not allowing same-sex marriage is discriminatory
To grant different legal rights on the basis of gender, religion, race or sexual orientation is discrimination.
Everyone has the legal right to marry their partner of choice. The option for a person to marry whomever they want is legal in numerous countries, including the United States and Germany.
A country or state can create a more competitive economic market by legalizing gay marriage. Many businesses argue that legalizing gay marriage would allow employers a larger pool of creative and hard-working employees. Local economies would also benefit from the revenue from weddings and marriage license fees.
Same-sex couples should be allowed to enter civil unions
Civil unions or partnerships are catch-all terms to describe the formal legal recognition of a relationship but without necessarily granting the full marital rights or label of marriage.
Civil unions provide the best of both worlds
Civil unions offer a compromise that enables all those who advocate for and against same-sex marriages to be able to keep their stand. While a compromise does not scream equality between heterosexuals and homosexuals, it is definitely a step in the right direction.
Many religions do not condone homosexual relations. To acknowledge these relationships through legal recognition of any kind would be an affront to many religions.
