AB +Final D333

Almatar 1

Gay Marriage
Mohammed Almatar
Professor. Meredith
ENGL 1302: Sec. 2230

7 May 2016

Image……….. Almatar 2
Annotated Bibliography........................
Should We Accept Gay Marriage in Our Society …….... 1
Works Cited…………. 3
4
8

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Annotated Bibliography
Perry, Kathryn. "The Cost of Gay Marriage - In Dollars and Cents," Christian Science Monitor,
May 27, 2009.

“Gay marriage is good for business. The co-owner of Provincetown florist has 20 to
30 weddings booked this summer, and the reason for that decent return is evident in the next
customer who walks through the door – a lesbian couple from Kansas desperately in need of
some carnations for their wedding. In the private sector, the wedding industry could grow
by more than $16 billion if gay marriage were expanded to all 50 states, according to a 2004
study by Forbes magazine ”( Kathryn Perry). Gay marriage is a business game. We need to fix
this issue for our new generation. Some cultures believe that gay marriage is shame or
uncommon thing in our society.
Silver, Nate. “Divorce Rates Higher in States with Gay Marriage Bans,"

www.fivethirtyeight.com, Jan. 12, 2010.
“Over the past decade or so, divorce has gradually become more uncommon in the
United States. Since 2003, however, the decline in divorce rates has been largely confined to
states which have not passed a state constitutional ban on gay marriage. States which had passed
a same-sex marriage ban as of January 1, 2008, however, saw their divorce rates rise by about 1
percent over the same period .In Massachusetts, which legalized gay marriage in 2004, the
divorce rate has declined by 21 percent and is the lowest in the country by some margin”( Nate
Silver). We have a huge shifting, Massachusetts is an example of high percent of divorce and gay
marriage why is that. The percentage getting higher, what is the result?

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Should We Accept Gay Marriage in Our Society?
The debates around gay marriage have been on-going for decades on whether it should be
accepted in society or not. Most of the arguments seem to center around the morality of allowing
people who are gay to become life marriage partners. Proponents and opponents have been
sharply divided with each side fronting their side of the argument. What we do know is that some
states in the U.S permit gay marriages and that it is a practice that has been taking place not only
in the United States but also in other parts of the world. It is a controversial issue that will
continue attracting debate where it remains to be seen if a compromise will ever be reached. For
this paper, the issue will be examined in detail in trying to see both sides of the arguments
fronted and the way forward. I chose this topic because we need to fix this issue for our new
generation.
Proponents of gay marriage find no wrong with the argument that they should be
accepted within the society. For them, it is all about equality and the need to exercise their rights
that are enshrined in the constitution. They say it is a free world and that they do not in any way
affect the life or prevent other marriages from happening. They also believe that gay marriages
are an opportunity for those who do not feel getting a life partner of the opposite gender due to
their moral convictions. It is about choices and the need to pursue a life that one is comfortable.
It is also the thinking of gay proponents that the marriage institution has evolved tremendously,
and it is it only fair that the society accepted that it is a reality of the modern world. That would
explain why more and more prominent people are finally coming out of the closet to admit
openly that they are gay.

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In other quarters, gay marriage is believed to have some economic benefits to the state. It
is something a Forbes magazine 2004 study found out that the wedding industry could record
more than $16 billion growth if it were legalized in all 50 states (Perry Par. 5). In Massachusetts,
there have been three sources of revenue collected from gay marriage. They include marriage
licenses, income tax, and state benefit programs (Perry Par. 8). There is also the thinking that
accepting gay marriages in society reduces divorces rates as is evident in states that legalize
same-sex marriage such as Massachusetts that has seen a 21% decline since it was legalized in
2004 (Silver Par. 3). Proponents also believe that partners in gay marriages will adopt children
which should be a benefit to those many children waiting to be adopted. There are many children
who would love to have loving and caring parents, and it can only be facilitated by accepting
same-sex marriage in society.

In offering a compromise, it is important to, first of all, recognize the fact that this topic
should be part of the American cultural literacy not just presently but also in about ten years
from now. The main reason is that it is a cultural reality of the changing perceptions about gay
persons especially with more people coming out in the open to declare they are gay. It is
something that was not seen before more so among prominent people. In that case, the
proponents of same-sex marriage are legitimate in calling to be accepted in the society. However,
it is a different matter of how they should be incorporated in the society. The best thing is to
respect the choices of others as long it is not shoved down people’s throats.

The opponents of accepting same-sex marriage in the society believe that it is a practice
that should not be allowed anywhere near the society beliefs and practices. They see it as a
practice that is immoral and goes against the teachings of the Bible. Cornerstone Policy Research
executive director, Kevin Smith, puts it categorically that, "It's the societal message that same-

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sex marriage sends – that children do not need a mother and a father"(Par. 7). Other opponents
see it as a violation of natural laws that are so clear and built to fit where and how coitus should
take place between a man and a woman. To them, marriage is defined as an institution that
should take place between a man and woman and not for those of the same gender. In that case,
same-sex marriage is essentially not a marriage and would be doing injustice to the proper
definition of marriage.

Opponents of same-sex marriage also put it that allowing this arrangement to thrive will
hinder procreation that is necessary for future generations and more importantly a lineage that
our forefathers left. It should be the obligation of those persons with the ability to continue
passing down generations since it is what their forefathers would have wished. At the same time,
the opponents of the same-sex union will want to see it as turning a moral wrong into what
would be described as a civil right. They fear that sanctioning such an arrangement sets a bad
precedent that would see other moral wrongs turned into civil rights and it is something that
would be chaotic as far as social order is concerned. Additionally, opponents argue that it defeats
all benefits and purposes of a normal marriage. For that reason, it can only be interpreted as an
insult to marriage between couples of opposite gender.

In arriving at a compromise, it would also be important to, first of all, acknowledge that
this topic is of significance to the society today even as we continue to engage in a public
discourse of the appropriate way to arrive at a consensus. For those opposing same-sex marriages
to be accepted in the society, it is worth noting that they are also legitimate points for adopting
such a position. Once again it is important to reiterate that there is the need to respect the choices
that people make regarding what they feel is best for them as long it does not interfere with the

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peace and the well-being of others. What we must realize is that it is a reality we have to live
with not just presently but also in the days to come.

In conclusion, it is evident that the issue of same-sex marriage is an emotive one that
raises conflicting arguments as to whether it should be accepted in the society. The topic is
appropriate for consideration in the American cultural literacy since it is at the heart of our
culture. Proponents of same-sex marriage believe that it is a reality of the modern world, has
economic benefits, it is their right, helps adopt children and that it leads to reduced divorce rates.
On the other hand, opponents believe that it is immoral, violates rules of natural law, it is the
wrong definition of marriage, limits procreation, and that it is an insult to the benefits and
purposes of marriage. However, in both arguments, the most important thing is to respect each
other’s choices on what is suits one best.

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Works Cited
Fairey, Shepard. Obama hope. Poster. 2008. Los Angeles.
Perry, Kathryn. "The Cost of Gay Marriage – In Dollars and Cents". The Christian Science

Monitor. 2009. Internet Source. Accessed 05 May, 2016.
Silver, Nate. "Divorce Rates Higher in States with Gay Marriage Bans". Five Thirty Eight. 2010.

Internet Source. Accessed 05 May, 2016.