Leon 1 Christina Leon John Kubler English 114B 30 March 2014 Whats fair or whats right?

Through out the years it seems as though there has been more and more talk about LGBT rights. Its has also become more socially accepted rather than it was back in the 80s and 90s. It doesnt come as a surprise anymore when you hear that someone is gay, instead you acknowledge it and most likely accept it. Especially for the newer generation, they find that being gay or lesbian is completely okay and this is shown through The Fine Bros.s video, How kids react to gay marriage proposals. Times are changing, new laws are forming, and people just want to have the same fair rights as every U.S. citizen deserves to have. However, is it the right thing to do? Although America has come a long way, people still dont socially except a wide variety of American citizensGays, lesbians, transvestites, blacks, Mexicans, Asiansbut is it fair to push them into accepting something they dont believe in? America is based on doing the right thing thats fair for everyone, gay or straight everyone deserves to be happy. This issue has become a really hot topic for quiet some years now, however the only problem is coming up with a solution that makes both side happy. On one hand, people pro LGBT right argue that anyone deserves the right to get married because love is the only thing that matters (Balanced politics). On the other hand, people against LGBT rights state that LGBT marriages and rights are sins and should not be recognized (Balanced Politic). However, my side of the argument falls right in between because I believe that everyone has and deserves their rights, but since I believe in God, I feel like its biblically wrong. Being that I'm in

Leon 2 between I'm able to see both side of the argument, agreeing with some point and disagreeing with them as well. As I had mentioned before America has become a beacon for freedom and fairness, in fact many countries are extremely strict and have many rules and regulations with their citizens. For example, in the book Persepolis 2, Marji came from a country where being gay was taboo and could be punished by being jailed or even sentenced to death. Since her country was so strict about gay rights she had never had experienceyet alone meet any homosexual people. However, after moving to Austria she actually encountered many gay menone being a boyfriendand it turn out she actually did mind them and somewhat liked them. To her it was odd how her country didnt accept homosexuals but in other countries it was socially accepting. She didnt look down on them and pass judgment upon them; instead she treated them with the same respect as any straight person. Just because someone has a different sexual preference than youre used to, you shouldnt disrespect and restrict them from being happy just like how Marjis homeland would. Even though many people might be uncomfortable with this idea of gay rights, they shouldnt automatically push them down and make them feel less than, instead they should keep their comments to their self and either acknowledge them or just keep it moving. Growing up I have always been raised in a Christian church and have some strong religious beliefs but just because I'm a Christian doesnt mean I hate all people that like oppositesex. In fact god says to love thy neighbor and thats what I strongly believe in. Why would I condemn someone that cannot control who they are attracted too. Sure the bible also says a few things about homosexuality but it says more things about being loving, caring, and meek. Most followers of God go to hate as their emotion towards LGBT and God doesnt like that type of behavior from his follower. It says in the bible, But from the beginning of creation,

Leon 3 God made them male and female. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh and I do believe this to some extent (Mark 10:6-9). I believe that a man leaves his parents to be with the one he loves and wants to take on those responsibilities for whether it be a man or a woman. It makes Christians look bad when they say God hates gays; and thats not true because God loves all his children no matter what. One major story that has been in the new lately was one of a gay couple trying to order a wedding cake but the baker denied them service because he didnt believe in gay marriages. Their was many people mad and furious on both pro and against gay marriages that the governor, Jan Brewer, of Arizona got involved. Because of the many protest that were going around the governor pasted SB1062, which is a bill that states that business is great in Arizona and no one should be denied service because of their race, gender, or sexual orientation (Morrissey). I find both sides of the argument to be correct because no one should be shunned service if they werent doing anything wrong but then again no one should have to give service if they dont want too. I dont think its fair that the bakery should have to bake a cake for someone who doesnt agree with gay peoples actions, he has rights as well and they shouldnt be stripped away from him either. Sure, its wrong to be cruel and mean to reject service towards gay people but he shouldnt be forced to tolerate it and accept it. Its against his first amendment rights and his beliefs and he shouldnt have to bend them for the greater good of big business. Something that many people struggle with is seeing gay couples act affectionate towards each other. Growing up most people are used to see men and women as couples and its publically accepting. However, as times are changing you do happened to come across a homosexual couple every now and again. When they start being affectionate and touchy most people start to feel uncomfortable and grossed out because they arent used to being around that

Leon 4 type of behavior. The newer generation however seems to not mind it at all. Youtube sensation, Fine Bros, documented a number of kids seeing how they react towards gay proposals. All except one thought it was nice and that gays should have a right to get married. Although, one young boy was being taught the gay is bad from his parents. I all depends on how we are raised to believe. If we are taught to become more accepting then the affection wouldnt bother us as much but if we are raised to believe that its wrong we feel uncomfortable. Personally I have nothing against LGBT people. If someone were to tell me that they were I wouldnt mind it, in fact I would treat them he same as I would treat anyone else. It somewhat bothers me how cruel people can get towards them like they were to one of my really good friends. My friend, Justin, and I were at the mall shopping together; he needed to buy an outfit because he was going to meet his boyfriends parent for the first time. As we were walking some guy coughed faggot and we both looked at him with disgust and asked why would he say such a thing. He got up really close to Justins face and said because you people are whats wrong with America. I pulled Justin away before anything got too out of hand and told him that the guy was dumb and not to listen to him. I could see the hurt and pain in his eyes because he knows that many people dont accept who he is as a person. People are wrong to making them feel like there an abomination and that they should all go away. It bothers me how there is still no respect and that they are being treated as their less than. Just because a person likes the same sex doesnt mean they should be treated any different. Individuals on the pro side might are that denying them is a violation of religious freedom (balanced politics). This argument is somewhat in valid because gay acts are a sin in the bible. When it comes to gay rights religion doesnt really back them up because it say a number of times that gay action upon a man is wrong and sinful. Individuals on the against side might argue that "it would further weaken the traditional family values essential to our society (balanced politics). This argument is invalid too because

Leon 5 a child that grows up with two loving parents has a pretty good future ahead of him, whose to say that two same sex parents will be an issue. I think that in some cases same sex parents do a better job at raising a family better than some of the parents we have today. In the end I find myself lying in the middle of this situation because I'm not completely for gay rights but I'm not completely against it either. I think there needs to be some sort of give and take towards this situation. Denying someone a right to marry the person they love is wrong but forcing someone to accept it is not fair either. I feel as though people need to be more understanding and polite towards gay people but I dont think they should be forced to change their beliefs. Likewise for gays, they all should expect people to be 100% accepting towards and they should accept that as well instead of being mad and upset about it. Either way both sides are right to a certain extent and they both need to have respect for each others beliefs and actions.

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