An Argument for the Legalization of Gay Marriage

Some people believe marriage is a union between one man and one woman. The definition, at the moment, actually states just that; however, definitions change as time drives on, and I believe its time for a radical change. About ten percent of the population is homosexual, and many of them have legitimate reasons about why they want to get “hitched.” Jennifer and Marie have been living together for eight years. They share a house, two cars, utilities, two children, and a puppy; however, their commitment is not legally recognized, they often receive little or to no help financially, and businesses often do not consider the couple as immediate family of one another.

Marriage is a decision that all Americans, including homosexuals, should have the right to consider as marriage allows couples to receive special employment benefits and financial aid, permission to make legal decisions about inheritance, child custody, and visitation rights which could have been disregarded if there had been legal documentation of the partners’ commitments.

Dee has “dated” Heather for four years and has decided to have a commitment ceremony. She works at a SITEL corporation, which is currently an “out-source” for a major wireless company. SITEL offers insurance and other benefits for married couples, such as pregnancy leave, even if your spouse is the one who is pregnant. Heather is having a child in a few months. Dee is not permitted take pregnancy leave because the baby is not hers and also because she does not have legal proof that they are committed. Dee will take her only sick day when Heather goes to the hospital.

Situations such as this corrupt the lives of gays and lesbians everyday. Medical, dental, and life insurance for married couples is, in most places, not an options for long term committed gay and lesbian couples. Married couples also receive financial aid from many different sources. Taxes, loans, grants, scholarships, and bills all depend on things such as marriage; in a lot of the cases marriage greatly affects these issues positively and, once again, leaves gays and lesbians to fend for themselves as individuals.

Tom, a friend of mine who lives in Dallas, had been with Brian, his partner, for over 13 years, until the untimely accident last fall. Tom had worked in a chemical plant for four years, but unfortunately a chemical explosion occurred and destroyed seventy-five percent of the building, killing 4 employees and leaving 27 others injured. Brian was devastated; this left him in an incredibly “tight-spot.” Tom had a seven-year old little girl who had become very attached to Brian; Tom was granted custody of his daughter when his ex-wife was sent to jail for a felony.

Unfortunately, under today’s laws, the little girl has no relationship to Brian other than the title of “good friends” which means he could not have custody of the child, even after he helped raise her for seven years. Aside from child custody, Brian would lose the house, vehicles, and a lot of furniture and other items that they shared, because a lot of theses things had been in Tom’s name. Homosexuals go through this sort of lament on a daily basis; if marriage between same-sex couples were legal, this would not have even been a concern.

A few months ago, there was a couple on television, Margie and Jennifer; they were having Margie’s baby through the help of a male donor, and Jennifer would play the “sergeant mother” role. While Jennifer was in the hospital giving birth to Margie’s baby, Margie was not allowed to be present in the emergency room because shewas not Jennifer’s spouse, even though this was Margie’s baby. After Jennifer had the child, Margie attempted to go to Jennifer’s hospital room to see her biological child. The nurses would not let Margie see Jennifer or the child, and told her that only immediate family members could visit her. Margie finally decided to sneak up to Jennifer’s floor and told the desk receptionist on Jennifer’s floor that she was Jennifer’s sister; the receptionist told her that she could “go right in.” A legally wedded couple would not have these complications, because the couple is a recognized family.

“We the people” say that America is a free country that is dedicated to making sure it’s citizens obtain equal rights, yet everyday same-sex couples suffer from the lack of certain rights. I strongly stand for the concept that same-sex couples should be aloud to legally marry; after all, I, too, wish to get married someday, and if the law does not allow same-sex marriages then my marriage will be denied as well. I urge Americans to open their eyes and look at same-sex couples from my point of view. Denying same-sex couples from marriage is denying the basic rights regarding benefits, financial aid, inheritance, child custody, visitation rights, and legal documentation of a married couple.