For my second argumentative essay I wrote about gay marriage and how I feel that Pennsylvania should legalize it. I didn't make many large changes to this essay but I did remove some unnecessary wording that I had in my original version of the essay. I also fixed parts of my essay that did not sound correct like removing an extra "two" that was a typo.
81 Interstate Pkwy
Bradford, Pa 16701
November 30th, 2012
Tim Murphy
504 Washington Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
Dear Mr. Murphy:
Imagine a couple walking down the street in a city happy as can be. As the couple walks some people look at them with disgust while others do not notice the couple sticking out from the others. The question remains as to why the couple was viewed differently. My name is Kaitlyn Hallock and I believe that same-sex marriage should be legalized in Pennsylvania. I have many gay family members and they deserve to have the same rights as straight citizens.
Children of same-sex couples would overall benefit more if same-sex marriage was legal in Pennsylvania. Without marriage, same-sex couples cannot fully adopt their children together. In most cases, one partner has full custody of the child while the other has no legal claim (Children benefit from same-sex marriage, writer says). In essence, the child cannot receive any benefits from parent and cannot do anything for the child in case of an emergency. For example, if Billy Bob's son is hurt, he is unable to be reached, and his partner takes the child to the hospital, the partner can make no decision of the child's care. Therefore if something was seriously wrong with the child, no actions could be taken because the partner cannot give consent. Another example is if one partner dies, the other would not receive any financial security for the child and surviving spouse. Marriage between homosexual couples would also cause the home to be more durable and stable which is proven to be vital to a child's upbringing. Not only would marriage cause the home to be stronger but it would also strengthen the bond between the child and their non-biological same-sex parent(s) and other unrelated family members (Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Parenting, and America's Children). To put it differently, allowing same-sex marriage would permit the bond between children and non-related family members to become closer, which would add stability in homes. In some cases, non-biological family members have reported that having a legal document saying that the child was legally related to them made them feel closer to the child. As a parent interviewed in the article Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Parenting, and America's Children, “I really didn't feel Jon was my son until I got that stupid piece of paper.” All in all, the children of same-sex couples would benefit immensely from the allowance of same-sex marriage.
Those who are against the issue feel same-sex marriage does not promote the creation of families. The traditional purpose of marriage is to create families, which consists of a mother, a father, and their children. It is said that gay marriage does not support this idea because they do not naturally fit into this prototype. The problem with this idea is in our society there is no real perfect traditional family. We have families that consist of step-parents, foster parents, guardians, polygamy, and surrogates. We allow the same rights to all other types of families why shouldn’t we give them to gays as well? Allowing gays to marry will permit more children to be adopted decreasing the population in children’s homes and while still promoting the idea of creating families.
On the other hand, proponents of same-sex marriage feel that homosexuals still have a pure relationship status; therefore, they are no different than anyone else and deserve the same rights. If same-sex marriage was legal, there would be no effect on heterosexuals and the sanctity of marriage. Marriage of the same-sex would still be the unification of two people who love each other (Update: Same-Sex Marriage). Other than being a homosexual, there are no differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals marrying and one does not affect the other. Homosexuals are the same as everyone else and not a different species. Treating them differently is like us going back fifty years to segregation and trying to say their color makes them impure and do not deserve to marry or have the same rights as married white heterosexuals. Everyone deserves to be equal and not be demoted as a second class US citizen.
It is also said that same-sex marriage goes against what people in many churches stand for. Some of the opposing religions are: American Baptist Churches, Catholicism, Mormonism, Islamism, Judaism, and Southern Baptist (Religious Groups’ Official Positions on Same-Sex Marriage). According to Same Sex Marriage, Pope John Paul II, leader of the Roman Catholics who died in 2005, wrote a letter on family values in 1994 stating marriage of the same-sex is “a serious threat to the future of the family and society” (Same Sex Marriage). In essence, the Pope is saying that how humans live life will be changed if gays were allowed to marry and then it will damage the future of the human race which could possibly end everyone in the process. This is untrue because if gay marriage is legalized then nothing will change for the human race. Even with marriage not being legalized for gays, there are still gay and lesbian couples out there. Legalizing their marriage will only allow those who love each other to marry. The world will not end, there will not be a catastrophic event, and dinosaurs will not reappear and end the human race. Also under the Constitution, Americans are given religious freedom meaning that no one can impose a religion on another and religious groups cannot influence the government’s (state or federal level) decisions. There is no decent reason as to why same-sex couples should not be permitted to marry each other based upon the idea that it is against religions.
I hope you see that allowing same-sex couples to elope will not affect anyone but the two partners and that there is no reasonable excuse as to why two people in love should not be permitted. Marriage is a basic human right and without this, same-sex couples are suffering. Same-sex couples and their children lack many government benefits from not being legally married. Love should not and cannot be legislated to only suit those who are heterosexuals. Not permitting two people who love each other to marry is unconstitutional and a hate crime. Marriage should be permitted to gays like my uncles and other homosexual citizens in Pennsylvania.
Thank you for your time,
Kaitlyn Hallock
Bibliography
"Same-Sex Marriage." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 27 Aug. 2003. Web. 26 Jan. 2012. <http://www.2facts.com/article/i0102100>.
"Update: Same-Sex Marriage." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies.
Facts On File News Services, 26 Mar. 2009. Web. 26 Jan. 2012. <http://www.2facts.com/article/i1200210>.
Rauch, Jonathan, and William Meezan. "Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Parenting, and America's Children." Future of Children. Princeton University and Brookings Institution, Fall 2005. Web. 26 Oct. 2011. <http://futureofchildren.org/publications/journals/article/index.xml?journalid=37>.
"Religious Groups' Official Positions on Same-Sex Marriage." Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Pew Research Center, 27 July 2010. Web. 17 Dec. 2011. <http://www.pewforum.org/Gay-Marriage-and-Homosexuality/Religious-Groups-Official-Positions-on-Same-Sex-Marriage.aspx>.
Wadley, Jared. "Children Benefit from Same-sex Marriage, Writer Says." January 23, 2012 | The University Record Online. The University of Michigan, 2004. Web. 26 Dec. 2011. <http://ur.umich.edu/0405/Nov08_04/14.shtml>
81 Interstate Pkwy
Bradford, Pa 16701
November 30th, 2012
Tim Murphy
504 Washington Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
Dear Mr. Murphy:
Imagine a couple walking down the street in a city happy as can be. As the couple walks some people look at them with disgust while others do not notice the couple sticking out from the others. The question remains as to why the couple was viewed differently. My name is Kaitlyn Hallock and I believe that same-sex marriage should be legalized in Pennsylvania. I have many gay family members and they deserve to have the same rights as straight citizens.
Children of same-sex couples would overall benefit more if same-sex marriage was legal in Pennsylvania. Without marriage, same-sex couples cannot fully adopt their children together. In most cases, one partner has full custody of the child while the other has no legal claim (Children benefit from same-sex marriage, writer says). In essence, the child cannot receive any benefits from parent and cannot do anything for the child in case of an emergency. For example, if Billy Bob's son is hurt, he is unable to be reached, and his partner takes the child to the hospital, the partner can make no decision of the child's care. Therefore if something was seriously wrong with the child, no actions could be taken because the partner cannot give consent. Another example is if one partner dies, the other would not receive any financial security for the child and surviving spouse. Marriage between homosexual couples would also cause the home to be more durable and stable which is proven to be vital to a child's upbringing. Not only would marriage cause the home to be stronger but it would also strengthen the bond between the child and their non-biological same-sex parent(s) and other unrelated family members (Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Parenting, and America's Children). To put it differently, allowing same-sex marriage would permit the bond between children and non-related family members to become closer, which would add stability in homes. In some cases, non-biological family members have reported that having a legal document saying that the child was legally related to them made them feel closer to the child. As a parent interviewed in the article Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Parenting, and America's Children, “I really didn't feel Jon was my son until I got that stupid piece of paper.” All in all, the children of same-sex couples would benefit immensely from the allowance of same-sex marriage.
Those who are against the issue feel same-sex marriage does not promote the creation of families. The traditional purpose of marriage is to create families, which consists of a mother, a father, and their children. It is said that gay marriage does not support this idea because they do not naturally fit into this prototype. The problem with this idea is in our society there is no real perfect traditional family. We have families that consist of step-parents, foster parents, guardians, polygamy, and surrogates. We allow the same rights to all other types of families why shouldn’t we give them to gays as well? Allowing gays to marry will permit more children to be adopted decreasing the population in children’s homes and while still promoting the idea of creating families.
On the other hand, proponents of same-sex marriage feel that homosexuals still have a pure relationship status; therefore, they are no different than anyone else and deserve the same rights. If same-sex marriage was legal, there would be no effect on heterosexuals and the sanctity of marriage. Marriage of the same-sex would still be the unification of two people who love each other (Update: Same-Sex Marriage). Other than being a homosexual, there are no differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals marrying and one does not affect the other. Homosexuals are the same as everyone else and not a different species. Treating them differently is like us going back fifty years to segregation and trying to say their color makes them impure and do not deserve to marry or have the same rights as married white heterosexuals. Everyone deserves to be equal and not be demoted as a second class US citizen.
It is also said that same-sex marriage goes against what people in many churches stand for. Some of the opposing religions are: American Baptist Churches, Catholicism, Mormonism, Islamism, Judaism, and Southern Baptist (Religious Groups’ Official Positions on Same-Sex Marriage). According to Same Sex Marriage, Pope John Paul II, leader of the Roman Catholics who died in 2005, wrote a letter on family values in 1994 stating marriage of the same-sex is “a serious threat to the future of the family and society” (Same Sex Marriage). In essence, the Pope is saying that how humans live life will be changed if gays were allowed to marry and then it will damage the future of the human race which could possibly end everyone in the process. This is untrue because if gay marriage is legalized then nothing will change for the human race. Even with marriage not being legalized for gays, there are still gay and lesbian couples out there. Legalizing their marriage will only allow those who love each other to marry. The world will not end, there will not be a catastrophic event, and dinosaurs will not reappear and end the human race. Also under the Constitution, Americans are given religious freedom meaning that no one can impose a religion on another and religious groups cannot influence the government’s (state or federal level) decisions. There is no decent reason as to why same-sex couples should not be permitted to marry each other based upon the idea that it is against religions.
I hope you see that allowing same-sex couples to elope will not affect anyone but the two partners and that there is no reasonable excuse as to why two people in love should not be permitted. Marriage is a basic human right and without this, same-sex couples are suffering. Same-sex couples and their children lack many government benefits from not being legally married. Love should not and cannot be legislated to only suit those who are heterosexuals. Not permitting two people who love each other to marry is unconstitutional and a hate crime. Marriage should be permitted to gays like my uncles and other homosexual citizens in Pennsylvania.
Thank you for your time,
Kaitlyn Hallock
Bibliography
"Same-Sex Marriage." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 27 Aug. 2003. Web. 26 Jan. 2012. <http://www.2facts.com/article/i0102100>.
"Update: Same-Sex Marriage." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies.
Facts On File News Services, 26 Mar. 2009. Web. 26 Jan. 2012. <http://www.2facts.com/article/i1200210>.
Rauch, Jonathan, and William Meezan. "Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Parenting, and America's Children." Future of Children. Princeton University and Brookings Institution, Fall 2005. Web. 26 Oct. 2011. <http://futureofchildren.org/publications/journals/article/index.xml?journalid=37>.
"Religious Groups' Official Positions on Same-Sex Marriage." Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Pew Research Center, 27 July 2010. Web. 17 Dec. 2011. <http://www.pewforum.org/Gay-Marriage-and-Homosexuality/Religious-Groups-Official-Positions-on-Same-Sex-Marriage.aspx>.
Wadley, Jared. "Children Benefit from Same-sex Marriage, Writer Says." January 23, 2012 | The University Record Online. The University of Michigan, 2004. Web. 26 Dec. 2011. <http://ur.umich.edu/0405/Nov08_04/14.shtml>