Two men are walking down the street very peacefully until they decide to kiss one another right out in the open. Some people look upon this as weird and others look upon it in disgust. Some even get angry about it. Is there a problem with what these men just did? Should they be left alone or reprimanded for what they have done? The issue of gay rights is very cloudy in our great nation. Most of this is due to the problems with the issue, the reasons for controversy, and pros and cons of the issue.
First of all, both sides have too many problems with gay rights for there to be a common ground on the issue. The biggest problem I find with the whole thing is the problem is not just fought by words, but also by physical means. There have been countless gay beatings across the United States. One instance took place on November 17, 2001. Police said the 42-year-old Vancouver man, whose injuries indicate he was beaten several times with a baseball bat, might have been the victim of a hate crime (HateWatch. g).
Even though the number of hate crimes has gone down, a poll was taken and Nearly 4 out of every 10 homosexuals polled said they fear that anti-gay violence will be directed against them personally, and 32 percent said they’ve been physically attacked because they are homosexual. (HateWatch. org). On the other hand, being gay goes against the beliefs and values of some Christian churches. As stated in the bible: Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God (Corinthians 6:9-10). Or another passage: If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. ” (Leviticus 20:13). With gays not backing down and religious people not backing down, this situation will have a difficult time being resolved anytime soon.
Secondly there are many issues that do not help the problem at all, thus creating controversy around the situation. The first problem is the issue of gay marriage. All in favor believe that a gay couple should have the right to get married just like a straight couple. Two men by the name of Alan and Steve have been together for 20 years and have been waiting to get married (Marriage). All who oppose state that marriage is the holy joining of a man and a woman, not a man and a man.
Secondly, the question of whether gays should be able to adopt children is also a problem. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics gay couples can provide the loving, stable and emotionally healthy family lives that children need (Adoption). But, Family values advocates have attacked the policy, accusing doctors group of using faulty science to advance a gay agenda (Adoption). The third issue is whether or not gays are born the way they are or if it is genetic. This of all the issues would help to shape the decisions of both sides of the issue.
Tony, a gay student at Valencia Community College states, I know many gay people, sometimes it depends on the individual person, I personally think that I was born gay (Tony). Lastly, each one of these issues of controversy has its good and bad points. To get a better view on both sides of the issue I interviewed two homosexual males who have differing opinions on the issue. On the issue of gay marriage, Brian had this to say: Since gay people tend not to stay together as long, I see no reason for them to be married in the first place (Brian).
The second interviewee, Brandon, responded with: I believe gays should have the right to marry, because if a man and a woman love one another just as a man and a man love one another, you should not hold the couple that practices an alternative lifestyle to a double standard (Brandon). Next I asked for their opinions on gay adoption. Again gays should not be held to a double standard he continued gay people can show their love for a child just as any straight person can (Brandon).
I asked the same question to Brian and he stated: If gays should ever be allowed to adopt them their must be a system involved to help protect the well being of that child. Straight or Gay, I have met some people who want kids, and should not be allowed anywhere near them (Brian). The last question I asked was if they felt that they were born gay or if it was due to the environment that they grew up in. I think its actually a combination of both factors. Many people think it is either or, but Ive seen many examples that state differently. I have met many twin siblings where one was gay, and another was not, or both were gay.
Also I have met guys who grew up in environments were homosexuality was nonexistent, yet they still turned out gay. If many other factors that are a part of what makes us human are usually a combination of nature and nuture, why should being gay be any different? And no its not a choice to choose your sexual orientation, the only thing you can choose is whether you want to be yourself or not (Brandon). I think it is actually one of the three choices, sometimes its genetic, sometimes it is learned behavior, and sometimes it is both. There are always examples of each and every one of them, so it is really just a case-by-case basis (Brian).
In conclusion, gay rights are an issue that surrounds or will surround everyone and in some way affects our entire nation. Should homosexuals be given the same rights as heterosexuals? My opinion is that homosexuals are no different than any one else. They are still people. Just because they happen to live a different lifestyle than other people, does not mean that their rights should be taken away. The right of matrimony, the right of adoption, and the right of whether you want to say you were born gay or decided to be gay are all right of the individual that should not be taken away.