In this world, there is a vast number of controversial issues and topics that have worried human minds for centuries, but society still fails to come to a consensus. For example, these topics include racial equality, the rights of women, abortions, and, of course, same-sex marriage and sexual orientations in general. It is hard to disagree that arguing about problems and concepts that do not directly affect them is the nature of people. The same may be said about same-sex marriage because its legality is mostly defined by heterosexual persons. However, despite numerous humans considering same-sex marriage inappropriate, unnatural, or unnecessary, it should be legal because all people deserve to get married and be happy with their partners, notwithstanding their gender or sexual orientation.
To begin with, it is essential to provide a couple of arguments in support of allowing people of the same sex to get married. The first argument is that making such marriages legal is ethical. People should not be discriminated against on any basis, and not allowing lesbians or gay men to start a family is actual discrimination. Humans worldwide should have equal rights, and if it is possible for a female and a male to get married, it should also be possible for persons of the same sex. One’s personal life is not the concern of society, and if the wedding of a woman and a man does not bother anyone, they should not be bothered by a union of two gay or lesbian partners.
Furthermore, the legality of same-sex marriage is also supported by researchers and scientists. According to Anderson (2017), one of the benefits of legalizing such marriage is increased public health. For example, “in 2009, the American Medical Association officially recognized that excluding sexual minorities from marriage was significantly contributing to the overall poor health among same-sex households” (Anderson, 2017, para. 6).
On the contrary, it was found that “lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals were far less psychologically distressed if they were in a legally recognized same-sex marriage” (Anderson, 2017, para. 8). Therefore, allowing two men or two women to officially start their own families can make the nation’s health better and stronger by reducing the rates of depression, suicides, addictions, and other disorders.
Despite these arguments, some individuals are still against lesbian and gay marriage because they consider it destructive for children who grow up in such households. While it is partly true, most of the available statistics show that, in terms of general measures of success, “there is no difference between children raised by same-sex or opposite-sex parents” (Anderson, 2017, para. 14). On the contrary, what significantly reduces such kids’ lives and experiences are social stigma and negative attitudes from other people. Therefore, there is no adverse effect of gay or lesbian marriage on children from same-sex households.
To conclude, one may say that, in 2021, people should not worry about others’ personal lives and choices. All humans are different, and there are certain characteristics, including sexual orientation, that an individual is born with. He or she can hide but cannot change them, and it is better for a person’s mental health if they accept their nature. If society also manages to welcome diversity and allow persons of the same sex to get married, start a family, and live happily, this world can be a great place. Finally, since it is ethical and beneficial for public health to allow lesbians and gay men to get married, and there are no adverse effects on children, same-sex marriage should be legal.
Reference
Anderson, A. (2017). Evidence is clear on the benefits of legalising same-sex marriage. The Conversation. Web.