Same-sex Marriage Should Be Legalized Throughout the United States of America

Firstly, I'd like to point out that we are arguing simply about marriage between a man and a man or a woman and a woman and that nothing else has anything to do with it. I hope that you will not continue to compare apples and oranges when it comes to this, as pedophilia, incest, and bestiality are completely different than homosexuality, their only similarity being that they aren't the social norm. Also, I was actually rather curious, was this social norm the same in the past? In the past, in different regions and countries and ect., there were definitely many things allowed and not allowed-- things that are lawful and unlawful-- that have been changed today. Relying on social norm to base your argument on is actually a rather ridiculous thing, considering marriage has changed a lot over the years. Arguing that because they are a minority, or because of what social norm dictates, marriage should be illegal between same-sex couples, is basically also saying that, because it was against social norm then, years and years ago in the US, African-Americans shouldn't have been able to marry. Or that because it was social norm, beating your children was appropriate. Or, that, because it was social norm, women were supposed to be considered property. Unless you would also like to argue these points with me in a separate debate, I suggest you not use the social norm as your basis argument. "Marriage, as an institution, evolved to foster parental responsibility and engender a society wherein children were brought up by caring role models representing both the sexes." So homosexuals shouldn't be able to marry and single parents should have their children taken from them? Once again, your point is flawed. It isn't necessary to have a 'mommy' and a 'daddy', as has been proved by the successful single parents raising children all over the world. "The fact is that society, whilst largely tolerant of homosexuality, nevertheless recognises the value of the traditional family unit and does not wish to see the cherished and ancient institution of marriage polluted by individuals who want to get wed to their mother or father, son or daughter, underage Thai ladyboy, pet pig, same sex partner or whatever. " The cherished and ancient institution of marriage used to be a lot different from what it is now, as I said before. Secondly, it would not be 'polluted' by these individuals. There is no problem with marrying anyone you want, but I would like to point out to you that a pet pig does not have a legal standing and so cannot be included in this argument. Society meaning what, also? So if society decided that it was wrong for heterosexual couples to marry, it is terrible? It is disgusting and wrong and polluting? I beg to differ. "It is not good enough to say the "rights" of a minority should be enshrined in law. If the majority of society opposes these deviant sexual predilections and don't want them legally recognised, then their will, in a democratic country such as the United States, must prevail. Currently, only 30% of Americans believe that homosexuals should be allowed to marry. Should their opinions trump those of the remainder of the people who disagree? Of course not." I am a strong, strong believer in giving people as many rights as possible, as long as they do not interfere with the rights of other people. Translation: If you're against homosexuals marrying, don't marry one. In the same way that if you are against abortion, don't have one. It's like telling someone "I don't like what you're saying, so you're not allowed to speak anymore." Or "I don't want you to have a gun, so you can't anymore." Or "We don't want you to be Jewish, so you have to be Christian now." Isn't this what we've been fighting against since the start of the US's history?