Introduction
People have the right and freedom to do various things to ensure their lives are comfortable. The need to seek company and happiness pushes people to be attracted to others and this makes them establish relationships. However, Michael Klarman, a legal historian, argues “not all relationships are approved by all members of the society” (Klarman 21). Same-sex relationships have become common in modern days and this has aroused arguments as to whether they are good or bad. Religious leaders, parents, and some traditions condemn members of same-sex relations and think that they are not appropriate. Their opinions are baseless and do not have any solid grounds that can be used to stop people from having same-sex relations. These marriages should be allowed and nobody should ridicule or discriminate gays and lesbians from social, political, and economic activities in the society.
Definition
Jason Pierceson, an associate professor of political science and legal studies argues “same-sex marriages refer to the unions between men and men or women and women” (Pierceson 61). Marriages and intimate relationships between men are called gay while that between women is called lesbianism. Some people do not approve of these relationships because they think they are inappropriate. However, the following reasons justify why it is important for society to allow same-sex relationships and marriages to exist. First, Richman Kimberley, an associate professor of sociology and legal studies at the University of San Francisco, claims “people have the right to associate with others and their constitutions provide that nobody should be denied the opportunity of socializing and establishing relationships” (Richman 76).
Most Asian countries abhor same-sex relationships and marriages and there are strict rules that govern human relations; therefore, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people do not have the freedom to publicly express their attractions to their partners. However, most countries like Israel, Nepal, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, North Korea, and other 18 countries recognize same-sex marriages. Some countries like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Iran have stiff penalties, including death sentences for people engaged in same sex relationships, but others have lenient punishments that include imprisonment or fines (Pierceson 73). This statistic shows that Asian countries are realizing the need to legalize same sex marriages. On the other hand, western countries like America, Australia and Spain have legalized same sex marriages and considered them to be part of human rights. Therefore, communities are realizing the need to respect the rights of individuals and this makes them to stop their fights against same sex marriages.
Secondly, the Geneva Convention of 2009 highlighted the need for sovereign states to respect human rights and ensure people are not barred from doing what they want. The convention focused on the aspect of non-interference by gays and lesbians and this became an important way of persuading Asian countries to lift bans on same sex marriages. Tricia Andryswewski, an activist and author of public issues, states “ gays and lesbians do not affect the lives of other people; therefore, it was inhumane to stop them from establishing same sex relationships” (Andryswewski 38).
Thirdly, the appropriateness or otherwise of same sex marriages is based on the mental construct and socialization of individuals. Some people believe that marriages should lead to the reproduction of children; therefore, same sex relationships should be criminalized. However, they forget that most modern women do not want to have children. There are many unmarried women in western nations because their attention has shifted from the family to the need to climb the ladder of professional careers (Klarman 44). This means that the role of marriages to reproduce has been absconded because the number of single women is increasing. In addition, not all couples are capable of getting children and this means that not all marriages should lead to the reproduction of new individuals (Richman 129). Therefore, there are high chances that very soon many other Asian countries will recognize and legalize same sex marriages.
Lastly, there is growing concern over the role of women in marriages. Most Asian communities believe that men should not be assigned roles that have traditionally been performed by women (Andryswewski 59). This includes washing clothes, utensils and houses and cooking. Therefore, they believe that same sex marriages make men to be treated like women and vice versa. They believe that this is a bad practice because it violates the traditional roles of members of their communities. However, they forget that people perform all house chores before they get married. Therefore, family chores should not be used as excuses to deny same sex couples opportunities to get married.
Conclusion
Same sex marriages have been in existence since the beginning of life on earth. Religious and traditional leaders should stop their fights against same sex marriages because this is an exercise in futility. Every person has a right of establishing relationships with others; therefore, same sex partners should not be condemned. In addition, they do not interfere with the activities of other people; therefore, they should be allowed to get married. Lastly, people should have an objective understanding about same sex relationships and marriages to ensure they engage in useful debates. Same sex marriages should be allowed because gays and lesbians are human beings and entitled to enjoy their rights and freedoms.
Works Cited
Andryswewski, Tricia. Same-Sex Marriage: Granting Equal Rights or Damaging the Status of Marriage? (USA Today’s Debate: Voices and Perspectives) Library Binding. New York: Twenty First Century Books, 2011. Print.
Klarman, Michael. From the Closet to the Altar: Courts, Backlash, and the Struggle for Same-Sex Marriage. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. Print.
Pierceson, Jason. Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: The Road to the Supreme Court and Beyond. Maryland: Layman and Littlefield Company, 2014. Print.
Richman, Kimberley. License to Wed: What Legal Marriage Means to Same-Sex Couples. New York: New York University Press, 2013. Print.
