"Gay Marriage Would Promote Social Stability"

Samuel G. Freedman, the author of this article, discusses how gay marriage would promote social stability. Freedman first recognizes that marriage is a step above in terms of a relationship than just being a couple, meaning that marriage requires commitment and responsibility. And that it would only benefit the country if more couples, gay couples, are able to get married as well. Freedman says, "As imperfectly as we practice it, marriage nonetheless connotes responsibilities and obligations beyond those of the unattached individual or of the couple, whether gay or straight, who simply live together." Freedman believes that marriage brings along the responsibilities and obligations that the couple must have, which is different from a couple who lives together. He believes that there is a difference between marriage and just being a couple. I agree with Freedman's statement because if more couples had that privilege to be able to get married, than there would be more opportunities for more couples to learn and experience responsibility and commitment. I'm not saying that it would be necessarily true for every couple, but at least it would give them the opportunity to act as a true, legally married couple. Freedman later explains that in the many years that people have opposed homosexuality, it never goes away because it is part of human nature. I think that's true because it's almost impossible to change human nature because it's human nature. It's something that humans naturally do. People can't expect that homosexuality will just disappear because it won't. It's like asking a fairly large part of society to give up a characteristic of theirs, something that makes them who they are. If anything, they will only come back stronger and more determined to fight for their rights. When describing those who oppose the movement towards same-sex marriage, Freedman says, "They must realize that their own moral opposition to it can coexist with federal or state statutes permitting it." He's saying that those who oppose gay marriage need to learn that their opposition to it can still exist even if it's legalized. I agree because there is always going to be disagreement in the world, not everyone will agree on one topic because everyone has their own opinions and beliefs. There are already established laws that I'm sure at least a few people don't agree with, so why would it make a difference if gay marriage is legalized? People will disagree anyway because, again, it's human nature. The last thing that I want to mention is Freedman's opinion on gays in the military. He says, "We should have built a monument to the gays and lesbians who had given their lives in the armed forces; we should have honored them for making the ultimate sacrifice of any citizen." He believes that instead of criticizing those who were gay in the military, we should honor them for risking their lives to serve their country. That's the biggest sacrifice anyone could make, and instead of honoring those who do, there are people who are worried about whether or not they're gay.

Freedman, Samuel G. "Gay Marriage Would Promote Social Stability." At Issue: Gay Marriage. Ed. Kate Burns. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Deerfield High School. 7 Feb. 2010 .