Homosexuality and same sex marriages within the United States as a whole is viewed very negatively. Being gay is not recognised by the federal government of The United States of America, and thus the gay community is oppressed by the country which they live in.
The topic of sexuality and marriage is greatly disputed. The website that I found looks at both for and against gay marriage, evaluating them in a ‘pro and con’ table in which the two arguments for each side’s are stated. http://gaymarriage.procon.org/ The idea that ‘Gay marriage is protected by the Constitution's commitments to liberty and equality’ stands out to me as an area in which gay marriage is justified. It is as a American their right to freedom so therefore who they marry shouldn’t be governed by gender. This idea also shows links to The Declaration of Independence as is the right as an American to ‘The pursuit of Happiness’ and for homosexuals this could refer to happiness being attained by marriage to someone of the same sex.
Despite plenty of legitimate and fair reasons for legalizing gay marriages there is a great opposition, to same sex marriages. They believe it is un-natural and that marriage is to be between man and women only. In a popular interview between John McCain; a strong advocate apposing same sex marriages, and in the past said "On the issue of gay marriage, I believe that if people want to have private ceremonies that's fine. I do not believe that gay marriages should be legal." He talks to Ellen Degeneres; a famous talk show host and gay icon in America. The interview takes place on The Ellen Degeneres show. She states that she believes that gay marriage is ‘Only fair and only natural.’ She proceeds to compare the oppression of gay marriage to that of ‘blacks and women’ referring to their inability to vote in the past. Ellen like many pro gay people see the con’s to gay marriages as an ‘old way of thinking’ and that people and the government should recognise, like with race and gender that we are ‘all the same.’ McCain remains true to his beliefs in stating his ‘disagreement’ to equal rights for gays. Despite this he wishes Ellen ‘every happiness,’ this I feel is not nesissariarly true as I think he feels an obligation to say this as he is on the ‘Ellen Degeneres Show.’ For him to truly wish her happiness and want her to be happy he would have to be pro gay marriage, and he most certainly isn’t. Ellen Degeneres concludes the interview by say that she wishes her ‘marriage’ could be called that and not a ‘contract.’
Despite the growing numbers of opposition and publication of same sex marriage, there is little change to the laws surrounding it, only 6 states allow gay marriage, and many have laws against it. I find the idea of denying equal rights in marriage unfair and unjust, as America is seen to be the land of freedom and hope to be a gay man or women goes against everything that America prides itself on being.
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