Gay marriage should be legalized.

Thank you for your reply, I have read your arguments and I have thought them through. In response to your first contention that marriage in any sense is harmful. I have a couple of things to say. Contention 1 I understand that marriage typically ends in divorce, but this is debate is about the legalization of gay marriage. whether or not gay marriage is legalized, divorce are still going to happen. it has nothing to do with whether the couple is straight or homosexual. "Because of the serious harms that are presented by any type of marriage, I have successfully proved that gay marriage, as well as straight ("soceitally permissible") marriage are too harmful to our nation, thus we must negate the resolution." When you say this, I assume that you are suggesting that straight marriage should be illegal. In saying this many people would say that this is against tradition. If marriage equality is passed this means that without a doubt people or gay people would still get divorced. But it's everyone's right to try to live a happy live, which includes to marry whoever they want to or whoever they love. The ability of same-sex couples to get married doesn't alter a single aspect of heterosexual marriages " directly or indirectly. The legal rights and benefits of heterosexual couples are completely unaffected by the existence of gay marriage. Moreover, accepting gay marriage as a civil right does not impinge on the rights of those who religiously and morally opposed it, and it does not do any damage to the people outside this marriage. On top of that, couples living together often have the need to receive marriage benefits and protection from the government in order to live. Examples are tax relief and insurance breaks. In addition, a married couple can often support each other in difficult times both financially and emotionally. The benefit of marriage to the couple is significant, and they should have equal right to be married. Contention 2 I would like to start of with the things you have listed. These accusations can happen just as much as in a heterosexual marriage as it can happen in a homosexual marriage. These things have little to nothing significance in whether or not the child or family will acquire them. Some of my closest friends (who have heterosexual parents) are doing the same and feeling the same as what you are claiming, that only children of same-sex couples are doing. I know people who are suicidal, depressed and smoke marijuana, etc. This proves that gay marriage has nothing to do with these accusations. It's a fallacy. In addition, as married couples are happier more optimistic and more energetic than singles, they are more productive and less likely to face health problems such as depression. World's largest study on same-sex parents finds kids are healthier and happier than peers.A cross-sectional study of children raised by gay couples, the largest of its kind, found that the kids are all right -- and are, by some measures, doing even better than their peers. "We found that children from same-sex families scored, on average, 6 percent better on two key measures, general health and family cohesion, even when controlling for a number sociodemographic factors such as parent education and household income. But on most health measures, including emotional behaviour and physical functioning, there was no difference when compared with children from the general population." Contention 3 I understand that 77% of the population in the United States, is Christian. I also understand that the Bible states that Homosexuality is a sin, but there are Christians in the US, and all over the world, that don't think this. More and more Christians are becoming open to the idea of Gay marriage, and support it. Just because it says in a book, that it should not happen, people still have their basic human rights to decide for themselves. As well, I would like to point out, that the US is not only consisting of Christians, but also other religions and races, that believe that Homosexuals should have just as much right to marry, as heterosexuals can. Lastly, I would like to remind you, that this Debate, is referring to the whole world, and not just the US. Again, the whole world, has different religions, and races, that Christianity is not the only religion, that can dictate, whether or not same-sex marriage should be legalized. Contention 4 I understand that the US can't decide over other countries, but the US influences many other countries since we are a world leader. I'm not saying that the world is going to change overnight, it's going to be gradual. If legalization of gay marriage starts in global leader countries, it will eventually influence other countries to join the legalization of gay marriage. Many countries throughout the world have extended equal rights of marriage to same-sex couples. The first country to do so was Denmark in 1989. Later in 2000, Denmark also allowed legal adoptions for these married gay couples. Other countries were able to observe how legalizing gay marriage only made the institution of marriage stronger, both for heterosexuals and homosexuals. Soon, in 1993 Norway formed Registered Domestic Partnerships, and in 1996, Iceland formed Registered Cohabitations. Both of these legislations extended gay marriage and adoption rights to gay couples. In recent years, Germany in 2000, the Netherlands in 2001, and Belgium and Canada in 2002, have all agreed that "discrimination of marriage laws based on sexual orientation" is not only unjust but also "unconstitutional". It has been proven in these countries that the opposing fears of legalizing gay marriages based on the idea of causing an increase in divorce rates and STDs, along with the loss of monogamous relationships, have no merit. In all of the countries with legalized gay marriage, studies have shown no increase in STDs and a dramatic decrease in divorce rates. So why not legalize gay marriage worldwide? it doesn't harm anyone. It would bring joy and peace to the world. Benefits Increase in child adoption If gay marriage is to be legalized, the number of child adoption would increase, since gay couples cannot procreate naturally. Although some might take this as an argument against gay marriage due to the claim that there will be detrimental effect on the children's psychological health, there is no conclusive research to suggest that child will be less healthy growing up in a gay household. Many children in the world are living in a stable gay household, and it is shown that they are as healthy. The only thing that matters in a children's growth is the love and care from the parents, not the gender. Additionally, allowing homosexual couples to marry will integrate them into the community. The benefits and support from the government can indeed foster a stronger sense of belonging to the community in which gay couples are more motivated to contribute to the society. this is a cornerstone to a stable society. _______________________________________________________ Sources: http://www.salon.com... http://www.lawteacher.net...