I rarely venture into these parts of RideMonkey
so I apologize if this topic has already been talked to death. Anyway, I just wanted to hear specifically from those who appose gay marriage. Im in no way trying to ridicule your viewpoint, Ive just been having a hard time understanding why it is that such a considerable faction of our population feels so strongly that extending the rights of marriage to the gay community is such a threat.
Ive heard concern over gay parents raising children, yet gays cant have children they adopt. I believe that two parents, regardless of their sexual orientation, can provide better care for a child than a foster home can, so I dont really think this is an issue.
Ive also heard the argument that allowing gays to marry would put the institution of marriage on a slippery slope where it would be subject to the inclusion of all sorts of other alternative practices such as polygamy or even marriage to animals. What I think people are missing here, however, is that homosexuality is a natural human condition. However uncomfortable that makes people feel, they have to recognize that one is not conditioned by society to be gay... its a naturally occurring sexual orientation that, like it or not, constitutes a considerable portion of the human beings. In my mind, this removes homosexuality from other deviations of the marriage norm that lie on the proverbial slippery slope.
Theres also the claim that seems to dominate the rhetoric of those who appose gay marriage: granting homosexuals equal rights with regard to marriage would debase or degrade the institution of marriage itself. This is the claim I really dont understand. As uncomfortable as people may be with the concept of homosexuality, the marriage of two such individuals really has no negative effect on anyone, of any sexual orientation. From a fiscal/economic standpoint, my understanding is that it would actually be beneficial.
The only viewpoint opposing gay marriage that I actually understand is that of the religious extremist, which ironically is the argument I hear least. Many religions deem homosexuality to be morally wrong, and while I dont share this opinion, I can respect peoples religious views. What I dont understand about this, however, is why there seems to be a general acceptance of homosexuality in our society today. If religious activists find gays to be so morally reproachable as to deny them equal marriage rights, why do they permit them to claim any other civil right?
In general, I think our societys fixation on homo/hetero relationships denies the true plasticity of human sexuality. Certainly there are people who have always felt themselves to be gay or straight, but there are plenty of studies that suggesting that human sexuality is far more versatile, or capricious. In some cultures, it is more or less accepted that straight men will nonetheless have sex with other men. Perhaps it is time to acknowledge that the potential to fall in love with, or just be attracted to, a person of the same sex is widespread among otherwise perfectly conventional people. I think that if people could consider this perspective, we could accept sexuality for what it is, rather than alienating gays as some perverse subgroup, the granting of marriage rights to whom would threaten the very foundation of heterosexual normality.
Anyway, sorry this is getting off topic. Again, please dont read this as an attack on those who appose gay marriage. I simply wanted to let you know where Im coming from, so that maybe you could explain your reasoning. Im keeping an open mind.
Ive heard concern over gay parents raising children, yet gays cant have children they adopt. I believe that two parents, regardless of their sexual orientation, can provide better care for a child than a foster home can, so I dont really think this is an issue.
Ive also heard the argument that allowing gays to marry would put the institution of marriage on a slippery slope where it would be subject to the inclusion of all sorts of other alternative practices such as polygamy or even marriage to animals. What I think people are missing here, however, is that homosexuality is a natural human condition. However uncomfortable that makes people feel, they have to recognize that one is not conditioned by society to be gay... its a naturally occurring sexual orientation that, like it or not, constitutes a considerable portion of the human beings. In my mind, this removes homosexuality from other deviations of the marriage norm that lie on the proverbial slippery slope.
Theres also the claim that seems to dominate the rhetoric of those who appose gay marriage: granting homosexuals equal rights with regard to marriage would debase or degrade the institution of marriage itself. This is the claim I really dont understand. As uncomfortable as people may be with the concept of homosexuality, the marriage of two such individuals really has no negative effect on anyone, of any sexual orientation. From a fiscal/economic standpoint, my understanding is that it would actually be beneficial.
The only viewpoint opposing gay marriage that I actually understand is that of the religious extremist, which ironically is the argument I hear least. Many religions deem homosexuality to be morally wrong, and while I dont share this opinion, I can respect peoples religious views. What I dont understand about this, however, is why there seems to be a general acceptance of homosexuality in our society today. If religious activists find gays to be so morally reproachable as to deny them equal marriage rights, why do they permit them to claim any other civil right?
In general, I think our societys fixation on homo/hetero relationships denies the true plasticity of human sexuality. Certainly there are people who have always felt themselves to be gay or straight, but there are plenty of studies that suggesting that human sexuality is far more versatile, or capricious. In some cultures, it is more or less accepted that straight men will nonetheless have sex with other men. Perhaps it is time to acknowledge that the potential to fall in love with, or just be attracted to, a person of the same sex is widespread among otherwise perfectly conventional people. I think that if people could consider this perspective, we could accept sexuality for what it is, rather than alienating gays as some perverse subgroup, the granting of marriage rights to whom would threaten the very foundation of heterosexual normality.
Anyway, sorry this is getting off topic. Again, please dont read this as an attack on those who appose gay marriage. I simply wanted to let you know where Im coming from, so that maybe you could explain your reasoning. Im keeping an open mind.
