Gabbi Lucido

Mr. Geist
Honors English 10
17 February 2015
Same-Sex Marriage
Same-sex marriage is a topic that has been
discussed over many generations. In the past, it has been
unacceptable and in almost all cases, illegal. However,
times are changing. There are still a large number of
people who reject gay marriage and there will probably
always be people against the idea. But there is a new era
of acceptance. Many countries have legalized same-sex
marriage and others are following the same track. Some
may say that it goes against the Bible or is morally
wrong. Despite these opinions, the law and society is
beginning to move toward the acceptance of gay

marriage.
Since 2001, when the Netherlands became the first
country to legalize same-sex marriage, many other
countries have followed the same path (procon.org).
Seventeen countries have legalized gay marriage and the
U.S. and Mexico have legalized it in parts of the country.
In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state in the
United States to legalize same-sex marriage. Since then,
thirty six states have taken the same stand as of January
20, 2015 (governing.com). This acceptance is spreading
and changing the lives of many. Some people have been
trying to pass laws limiting the rights of a citizen because
they are gay. For instance, in many states, some are
trying to pass laws that make it legal for businesses to
deny service to a gay citizen. However, none have been
passed due to the protection of the constitution and the
new laws legalizing same-sex marriage and increasing

gay rights. Imagine walking into a business and being

denied service solely based on emotions and feelings. It
is hard to believe that some people actually believe this is
morally correct.
Many agree that just because the law says same-sex
marriage is legal, that does not mean society is accepting
of the new laws. Although many may not agree with the
law, society is slowly making a change for acceptance.
Many churches are now accepting gay marriage including
Presbyterian U.S.A, The United Church of Christ, The
Evangelical Lutheran Church and many more. This is
showing the growing support of same-sex marriage. In
the United States, fifty eight percent of Americans say
that homosexuality should be accepted by society, rather
than discouraged (pewresearch.org). This support is
among younger people in particular. Of those under
thirty, sixty four percent say that homosexuality should

be accepted. The support of older generations is much

less. Of those older than seventy, the acceptance for
homosexuality is only at twenty seven percent (norc.org).
This is a cause of changing ideals in society.
Although society is shifting toward acceptance of gay
marriage and homosexuality, there are still many people
who are rejecting the idea. Some say that it is morally
wrong and opposes nature. Also, the new laws impose
acceptance on society. For example, the law says that
property owners have to accept gay couples as tenants,
even if they dont want to (washingtonpost.com). Many
however say that business is business and why should it
matter whether they are gay or not if they are creating
revenue? The answer that most turn to is that it is against
the bible, or offends God (tfpstudent.org). For most, this
is the rooting cause of rejection to same-sex marriage.
Romans 1:27 says, And the men likewise gave up natural

relations with women and were consumed with passion

for one another, men committing shameless acts with
men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their
error (Bible.com). Many believe that homosexuality is
wrong because the bible says that it is a sin. But the bible
also says that God sees all sins equally. So whether you
commit theft or are gay, god sees these sins as the same
level of degree. People sin every single day and God
forgives, so doesnt God forgive the sin of homosexuality?
The bible also says,And if she divorces her husband and
marries another, she commits adultery Mark 10:12.
Divorce is a sin just as homosexuality is, however divorce
is widely accepted throughout society. Why is this the
case? The answer is that divorce is familiar, unlike
homosexuality. People reject things that they are
unfamiliar with. Now that same-sex marriage is becoming
more familiar, it is becoming more accepted. Not only

does the bible reject divorce but also tatoos. Leviticus

19:28 says,Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh
for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the
Lord (Bible.com). Although the bible rejects it, in the U.S.
alone in 2008, and estimated twenty one percent of the
population has one or more tattoos. Does this mean that
there should be laws against tattoos just because the
bible says it is a sin? Also, there are laws of separation of
church and state, so why are laws being made depending
on religious beliefs?
As time goes on, people are becoming more open to
same-sex marriage. Already the majority of people are
accepting of homosexuality and the percent is going to
increase more and more as generations go on. There will
always be people who reject the idea but already, they
have little to no influence on society. In the bible, there
are many things that are considered sins, yet most dont

even realize they are sinning. Homosexuality, although

considered a sin for some, is just another thing that is
becoming more secular. Society is changing along with
the law and people are going to have to learn to accept
this change.