America, the Land of the Free, and the Gays

 

In today's society there are a multitude of social outcasts, or "untouchables", which don't get equal rights in our country. If America is supposed the "land of the free" then why are the rights of certain minority groups withdrawn from their reach. One group who has had their freedom continually withheld are the homosexuals. They have been fighting for their own causes for decades and have been continually turned down. They are seen in America as an iniquitous group that does not deserve rights of their own. Many of these accusations are derived from a Christian background, even though there is supposed to be a separation of church and state. Although these may not be my personal viewpoints, these are the facts, and I do believe that America needs to uphold the founding fathers view of freedom.

 

                        The main issue regarding gay rights right now is same sex marriage. One side opposes it saying that it is immoral and harmful to society. The other side supports it saying that sexual orientation is innate and is his or her natural right to marry who they feel they should. During a debate of same sex marriage that focused on the history of marriage Chief Justice Deborah Poritz said, "It's a historical fact that marriage has been between a man and a woman, but it's also a historical fact that women were property and that women couldn't accuse their husbands of rape. Why should we just defer to the historical basis?"(Henderson.) Poritz argues that just because it is historically correct does not make it morally correct.

 

                        Many gay rights activists are also arguing that homosexuality is not a choice, but they are born with it. Nathaniel Frank in his article "Gay Is a Choice?" said, "the subtext of the 'choice' debate is that opposing gay rights is only appropriate if gays select their sexuality, since it is unfair to punish someone for something one does not control." The opponents of gay rights will argue that homosexuality is a choice that you can control, therefore you can change and nothing needs to change for you. The side that supports gay rights argues that if you cannot control a human function, you should not be discriminated against.

 

                        Another main issue regarding gay rights is if they should be allowed to adopt children. The opponents will argue that they shouldn't because it will be harmful to children, as stated in "Gay Family Values" by Tim Padgett, "Bill Maier, Focus' vice president and chief psychologist, insists the practice 'hurts children because it intentionally creates motherless or fatherless families.'"Although there are many supporters of this belief, it has been found to be unconstitutional in Florida "A Monroe Circuit Court judge has ruled Florida's 31-year-old gay adoption ban 'unconstitutional'" (Miller.)

 

                        Although many free citizens of America are opposed to gay rights, these people are American citizens too. Although they may not be free the still live in America. If homosexuality is not a choice, but a natural trait, whose right is it to take that away from you. Even if it is a choice the definition of freedom is "a state in which someone is able to act and live as he or she chooses, without being subject to any undue restraints or restrictions."(Encarta Dictionary)P. So if this really is the "land of the free" then gays should be allowed rights of their own.

 

Works Cited

 

Henderson, Stephan. Gay Marriage Debate Centers on History vs Change." Knight Ridder Newspapers 19 FEB 2006 Print

 

Frank. Nathaniel. "Gay Is a Choice?," Los Angeles Times 08 OCT 2008. Web.17 Apr 2009.

 

Padgett, Tim. "Gay Family Values." Time 17016 JUL 2007 51-52. Web.17 Apr 2009.

 

Miller. Carol M. "Judge Rules Ban on Gay Adoption Unconstitutional," Miami Herald 09 SEP 2008. Web.17 Apr 2009.

 

"Freedom." Encarta Dictionary. CD-ROM.

 

-WMD