In recent years same-sex marriage has made a progressive achievement in changing legislation, the civil partnership act (2004) was used and became the route for many same-sex couples. Although the wait was long, the time has come for England and Wales to celebrate same-sex couples and the rights of equality. However, this achievement for many will go unnoticed or even worse; will become a target to abuse LGBT people for trying to make a positive change in legislation. Is it right to abuse or judge someone; not only because of their sexuality choice but because of their decision to want to marry someone that they love? How is it ethically and morally right that the choice has been taken away for so long? Questions like these are asked every day in order to understand why people are against equality.
My main question when writing this blog was what is and has been stopping same-sex couples from marrying their partners for so long?
There are many aspects that can affect people’s opinion on same-sex marriage. The first being religion as it comes up frequently in news articles regarding same-sex marriage. Many religious beliefs follow that marriage is primarily for a man and a woman. The idea of this sacred ceremony changing has caused uproar in certain places. Recently in America, debates are under-go to change the terminology of the word ‘marriage’. This is because the federal government currently define it as “a legal union between one man and one woman”. This definition is clearly outdated and scrutinises same-sex relationships. Religion has changed and adapted with current life, yet, same-sex marriage and relationships are still a no-no in some religious eyes. Religion and equality go hand in hand; however, LGBT people seem to not be involved within that. Another aspect which has been highly discussed is representation within Governments. As far as the public knows, there is not an equal split in representation of straight, lesbians, bisexuals, gay or transgender members of many parliaments. A paper written for the American Political Science Review shows statistics that where the more ‘out’ members of parliament were, the more change had happened in order to benefit LGBT people. This point is really interesting and makes us wonder that if people are more open and ‘out’ within governments, then there could be a change with encouraging legislation.
Moreover, this current situation within England and Wales is the step needed to give same-sex couples recognition for all the hard work they’ve been doing in order for this to happen. This will not be a choice that everyone will choose to make; there are many same-sex couples out there who do not wish to marry, as there are many other couples with the same belief. But this legislation gives them the choice like everyone else. It’s a right that they have always deserved but have never been given until now. This legislation will hopefully set an example for other countries and governments who have similar legislation pending or are considering change. The law will change lives for same-sex couples, with practical benefits such as mortgages, insurance and visas. The things that are taken for granted in marriages. But of course, the most rewarding benefit is being able to marry the person that you love.
My main aim of writing this blog was to find out what people’s opinions were on why same sex marriage is a problem for some and why isn't everyone accepting in 2014? I want to see what your views are on the ever expanding subject.
I’ve asked many questions throughout so please feel free to express your opinion!
Thank you for reading, J.
Hi J,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog on what I perceive as a very interesting topic of Same Sex Marriage, and asking a question that many have asked and wondered.
Same sex marriage is a very debated topic and one I believe will never be resolved. When asking 'why is it taking so long' I think that this is as you have talked about above, mainly because of religious beliefs and when dealing with religion people are unwilling to go against what is said to be right. The majority of arguments made against gay marriage refer back to tradition and what is said in the bible (which I am not saying is wrong). However in the modern way of living there are many things that some people may not agree with, but that doesn't make it wrong. Society has changed a lot and seeing as it is now seen as accepted for people to have gay relationships, then why should it not be allowed for them to get married.
My personal view is that there is nothing wrong with same sex marriage and as written, people should be able to marry the one they love no matter what sex either of them are. Love is not something that can be controlled and so why should it be frowned upon? These feeling some are born with and so why can’t they have the opportunity to be happy and united through marriage like any other couple.
I think it is a good thing that they are finally putting in a marriage act and feel that everyone should accept it as it allows others to be happy. For those who object I feel should put themselves in others position and see how it must feel to not be allowed marry the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. It does not mean that every same sex couple have to get married but instead gives them the choice, just as any couple have.
Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment on our blog!
DeleteI think your opinion on religion is a good point and the element of tradition is definitely what I believe to be the main reason for negativity towards same-sex marriage. I strongly agree with you that having a choice to marry should be available to everyone, no matter what sexuality they choose. Hopefully attitudes like this will spread and people will remember that if this doesn't personally affect them, it could affect someone close to them.
If you have any more points please feel free to post again. We also have a few more blogs on some other very interesting issues if you're interested!
Thanks again, J.
As a young Christian woman in a gay relationship I am extremely excited about this development. However, I am not pleases with the fact I cannot do it in my local church with God’s blessing. The church is at a critical point, they are unpopular and disengaged with young people and this is not helping. Just because the laws are changing, doesn't mean the old conservative opinion is changing which is the real sad element.
ReplyDeleteHi Veronica,
DeleteThanks for taking the time to share your opinion on the matter!
Religion is a very controversial topic when discussing same-sex marriage and I'm really glad we get to see your perspective from both a Christian and gay view. This blog discusses the celebration of what has been achieved so far, but you’re quite right that it doesn't end there. For many, including yourself, this is not the happy ending that you would want. This act could be the start, but as a religious person yourself, I think we can both agree that the outcome wished for by many similar people to you is very far off, if not impossible. I agree with you that this is a sad element and conservative opinion will always make a point to disagree with same-sex marriage even though it is legal in England and Wales now. But what do you think can be done about this?
From a non-religious view it's easy to suggest pushing same-sex marriage into a church and keep pushing until it's accepted, but realistically this will never happen as long as the Bible is the main source of information for believers. As long as the Bible is believed in, will it ever become possible for same-sex marriage to become accepted in the church?
I found your opinion really interesting Veronica and if you would like to share more about it then please feel free!
Thanks again, J.
I found this a very interesting read as I have often asked myself the same questions. I am a straight female myself but I have many homosexual friends. Two of my close friends (we'll call them Rachael and Ashleigh) have recently come out as lesbians together in a relationship. They hid their relationship from friends and family for many months and said that the positive changes in law prompted their honesty about their relationship. The majority of their friends and family were supportive of their relationship, especially Rachael's parents. However, Ashleigh's parents have reacted very badly, not being to accept that their daughter is with another woman. This has caused many problems for the couple and has been very difficult. Rachael has shared with me her love for Ashleigh and that she sees herself with her for a long time, considering marriage if it was legal by the time they decide to (which of course it will be.) The changes in law have had a positive affect on this couple as they will be able to do what they want to do and hopefully they will be overcome the difficulties that lay ahead with Asheleigh's family. I am very happy for my friends as are many other people. However, I agree with the comment above; yes the laws are changing but there's always going to be people who do not accept it and make it difficult for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders. I personally find it very sad that in 2014 this is still the case.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment! Really appreciate your view. I'm so glad that this change in law will be able to hopefully benefit your two friends. From your comment it’s clear to see that acceptance is hard for many, sometimes even the ones closest to the people coming out. Reactions like this can make us question a few things; firstly, if legislation had been passed sooner would more people be more accepting of LGBT people? Also, has the issue of same-sex marriage not being legal in the past allowed many to condone their disagreement of it?
DeleteWe’ll never know the answers but we can of course assume or create discussion around it. I personally think that not allowing same-sex marriage for this long has in fact allowed people to not try to understand the issue as the law has allowed them to think it is wrong as it’s not legal.
Please let me know what you think!
Thanks again,
J
Firstly I would like to say thank you for the comment you left on a blog post of mine that talked about Gay Marriage.
ReplyDeleteI would think that it has taken too long because people are afraid and always will be, of something they dont understand or accept as normal. The main problem being the word normal in itself. If we were all "normal" then we would literally all be the same. We are all very different in our own special ways. This very fact is quite confusing and problematic for some people to deal with, even before you throw same sex marriage into the mix.
Whilst things are and have been moving quite slowly on this matter, there are at least moving. I also find it quite interesting that the so called 'nasty party' conservatives were the ones to bring this up. The Labout party who are often seen to be more on the side of the LGBT community had 13 years, whilst they were responsible for civil partnerships, I viewed civil partnerships more as making a problem go away without solving it.
It is a highly complicated issue and I think that once gay marriages start taking place, there may well be trouble for some people as they suffer at the hands of homophobes. However, as Gay marriages happen more and more, I see the situation becoming more and more acceptable in the eyes of those who dont agree with it.
Hi Gareth,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, why is it that in the 20th century loads of people still believe in this ‘normal’ one way thinking process? I also think it’s better to be moving rather at a standstill but it should have never of got this far. So far that it’s 2014 and only now can two people of the same-sex get married in the UK , I find it absurd that some people and there are a lot of them can makes claims that now they ‘have what they want’ its ok. I think it’s safe to say that it is definitely not.
I too really liked your view on civil partnership, I hadn’t thought about it from that perspective before. Hopefully people not only in the UK will use this legislation to aim for what they want. It will be harder and maybe impossible in some countries but when legislation like this is passed it gives people hope. I also expect that with more and more marriages there will be more acceptances but unfortunately in this world there will always be narrow minded people with arguments that have no real substance.
Thanks for commenting Gareth, if you have any more views or comments I’d love to hear them!
J