Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 2

Mutya, Welman Daryll V.

II
Social Anthropology 128
Opinion Piece
Of State and Gay Marriage
Just last Saturday, news started to circulate throughout the internet about Ireland being
the first country in the world to approve gay marriage by popular votedespite the powerful
forces of the Church. As I was reading through the news articles online, I began to wonder,
When would my country be open enough to accept and approve of giving equal rights to the
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community? Would they ever be open about it
in the first place? Finally, for those people in Ireland, practicing gay marriage would now be
legal and that this approval would clearly indicate that the LGBT has had a huge step of success
towards their struggle for equality.
In the Philippines, its a whole different story. Acts of violence, downgrading and
discrimination could still be evidently seen against the LGBTs, and our social institutions such as
the state seem to even perpetuate these acts. In my subjective world, I see people from the LGBT
community being looked upon as lesser beings, abnormal and sinfuljust because of their
gender and how they express themselves. And because of this mind set, they have been deprived
from so many rights and resourcesincluding marriage. I say that these acts of inequality have
to stop and that we have to start reconsidering the acceptance and protection of homosexuals
and gay marriage in our society. Allow me to convey what I think.
Firstly, we must consider that all of us are human beings and that we are supposed to treat
each other equally, regardless of gender, race, religion or other personal beliefs. The state should
provide avenues for us to do just the same. It is very unfair to implement laws for instance,
which discriminate a certain group based on a characteristic thats harmless to society. It is unfair
to call ourselves a democratic nation when we allow our laws and policies become clouded by
the interests of certain conservative religious groups.
Marriage is not just an act of being bound together with a loved one in the presence of a
godits more than that. Its also more than the act of expressing your love with your spouse
freely and publicly. Its more than a religious traditionmarriage has been redefined numerously
through time. Its an institution, which gives us an avenue where we could build the very basic
social unit in our societythe family. The state and other social institutions have forgotten that
matrimony recognized by law offers this sense of protection for the couples themselves and even
their property. When a spouse commits infidelity for instance, the other could file civil (and
criminal) cases against the unfaithful partner. Why cant gay people be protected the same way?
People claim that homosexuals should not be entitled rights to marry because they are
incapable of producing offspring and are unfit parents, raising immoral children. Because of the

influence of popular religions in the country, we have been clouded into this perspective for so
long. Well, straight couples also have the potential to fail in producing offspring, and they are of
no exception when it comes to the discourse of improper child-rearing. The successes or
failures of child-rearing shouldnt be blamed on gender. It never should be. Another opinion is
that the ability to reproduce should not and should never be a requirement for marriage. It is
irrational for us to impose such a requirement on couples who wish to marry.
Approving gay marriage legitimizes the supposed democratic nature of our country. The
state should always think twice when it comes to formulating, implementing and imposing laws,
especially in the arena of marriage. It must aim to be all-encompassing, not being bias towards a
particular religious belief, gender, or even social class. And just like the country of Ireland,
approving gay marriage would certainly be a huge step towards having that once-dreamt, ideal
society free of all forms of discrimination.

Вам также может понравиться