What are some solid arguments in support of same sex marriage?

I am writing a persuasive piece for class in support of same sex marriage. I want to divide it into three parts: Equality, the fact that it won't hurt anyone, and the invalidity of religous/moral arguments.



What are some things that I can use to back up a supportive positon of same=sex marriage?What are some solid arguments in support of same sex marriage?Post this question (below) in your own words. It draws attention to an existing civil rights success, this is essentionally the same issue.

--------------------------------------鈥?br>
Are you aware that it was still illegal in many states for a black and a white to marry as late as 1967 when the US Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to prevent people from marrying due to race. (Mildred and Richard Loving are history's most prominent interracial couple who fought and won for their right to marry in 1967). I can remember the furor that people made about "pollution of the white race" then. They used the Bible to justify that too, and it was just as wrong.



All we gays are saying is that we are prevented from marrying in most states for no better reason than the laws that were overturned in 1967.



The following excerpt from a newspaper article illustrates my point --- A few weeks ago at AFFA's program meeting, the discussion centered around gay rights and civil rights. Susan Dunn was one of the speakers.



Ms. Dunn is an ACLU lawyer, Circular Congregational Church lay minister, and Charleston School of Law adjunct professor. During her insightful and inspirational talk, she read this excerpt from a letter in her father's possession, which was sent to President Lyndon B. Johnson, warning against the passage of the civil rights bill (Dunn had found a copy of the letter in a file of her father's after his death.):



"Mr. President, I hate sin, and this [the civil rights bill] which you are advocating is a sin, in that it would bring about the destruction of the ***** race through mixing black and white people. Marriage is the aim of some, and it will never do, and you should understand why the Christian is against the civil rights. I am not against the ***** people. I love them as we are commanded, as I love the white- or red-skinned people. If you persist in carrying out your present plans, you are bringing upon this nation and all people, because of your selfish desires, sure destruction."



--- excerpted from an article by Sally Albright published in the Charleston City Paper entitled "The gay rights movement draws ideas from the civil rights era"What are some solid arguments in support of same sex marriage?
The Constitution. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.What are some solid arguments in support of same sex marriage?I think the best argument wouldn't so much be supporting same sex marriage, but detailing the falacy of criminilizing it.



Similar to other arguments against discrimination through history. The best arguments against Jim Crow laws weren't trying to validate the rights of African-Americans, but making it clear that denying those rights has no validity.



I suggest you take this approach. It puts your opponants on the defensive. Make them explain why it should be specifically illegal.What are some solid arguments in support of same sex marriage?
There are many views this subject. I 100% support this matter for the fact that gay couples have EVERY right to marry just as well as straight people do. An example of discrimination in my opinion, you cannot join the army if you're gay and you will lose all your military benefits if they find out you are gay. If you or your partner gets hurt and is unable to make any type of decisions, you are not allowed. You have no rights what so ever. As long as you love someone, it shouldn't have an age limit and you shouldn't be treated differently because of your orientation. We, no matter if you're gay straight or whatever kind of relationship you're in...we are all human beings and are entitled to each and every right. We are created equal and shouldn't be judged on anything.



Just ask this in your paper.



"If straight people are allowed to marry and have children, then why aren't gays allowed to do the same since we are all equal in every way? And if straights weren't allowed to marry and gays were....how would they feel to be treated indifferently?"What are some solid arguments in support of same sex marriage?The way i think about it is that there are so many different types of marriages, like jewish weddings, hindu weddings, and of course christian weddings. There are so many and there all legal! Of course the different religions disagree with each other but there still allowed so why is it that one type of marrige be not allowed? Also everyone has the right to believe what they believe of it one believes that they can marry soneone of the same sex, who is the government to tell them that they cannot practise those believe? I think that type of law falls under fasism.What are some solid arguments in support of same sex marriage?
You might point out the lack of a strict definition of man and woman. It isn't as easy as one might think once you bring transsexuals and intersexuals into the debate.



Also there are several cases of precedents, where a man married someone they thought was a woman but had a Y chromosome. (I don't have the source anymore but I researched this for debate class, you should be able to find it online)
1) As for equality, you may point out that one of America's founding principles was, as so famously stated in the Declaration of Independence, the individual's "inalienable" right to "the pursuit of happiness." As we have progressed as a society, we have evolved in our understanding of what this means. The civil rights movement opened our eyes to the injustices all around us concerning the black community. As a result, racial discrimination and anti-miscegenation policies were outlawed. Likewise, we are today beginning to extend this clause's meaning to the gay and lesbian community as well--as their basic rights to both liberty and their own unique pursuit of happiness have been trampled upon.



2) It is harmless. Yes, very true. What is homosexuality? Nothing more than a predilection toward a perfectly consensual, loving relationship between two responsible adults. Allowing two such individuals to enter into a marriage contract harms no one. No intelligent person treats homosexuality as "contagious," and thus it cannot be asserted either that gay marriage in any way threatens the traditional family unit as well.



3) Religious favoritism plays no part in the operation of a government which believes in separation of church and state. The government's role is to protect the rights of its people, regardless of ethnicity, preference, or disposition. Besides this, it is evident enough that even the most conservative religious bodies are suffering from internal disputes over this very issue. It is not a matter easily decided even for them.



Ultimately, the most powerful tool you can use in your essay is reason. And believe me: that will be enough.



Hope this helps, and good luck!