Debate on Gay Marriage
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English Composition I 161
16 September 2012
A Critique of “A Debate on Gay Marriage” by Andrew Sullivan
Same-sex marriages or “homosexuality” has become one of the most highly controversial topics in today’s society. One half of our population is in favor of “homosexuality”, while the other half strongly disagrees with the sexual orientation that others prefer. A debate titled “A Debate on Gay Marriage” had circulated. It states the supporting beliefs of the writer Andrew Sullivan from his book, “Virtually Normal: An Argument about Homosexuality” and rebutting arguments from William J. Bennett, a prominent cultural conservative, which appeared as an op-ed column in the Washington Post in May 1996. Andrew Sullivan wrote the article based on facts why gay people should be able to marry, and William Bennett, in his article, rebuts Sullivan’s pro-gay marriage arguments. The main topics that are being disputed are raising children in the same-sex household, the integrity of a marriage as a legal document, and the ability of churches to be accepting to the concept of same-sex marriages.
According to Sullivan, “marriage is not simply a private contract; it is a social and public recognition of a private commitment” (Sullivan, 404), it should be available to any two citizens. He strongly believes that commitment among “heterosexuals” and “homosexuals” are identical, in respect, “the center of the public contract is an emotional, financial and psychological bong between two people (Sullivan, 404). Sullivan asserts that children that are raised by two homosexual partners are well adjusted as to children raised by traditional, heterosexual parents. Sullivan recognizes that many religious organizations are against homosexuality, but this country has a separation of church and state that makes that argument arbitrary in terms of legality. On the contrary, Bennett states that, “allowing same-sex marriages would do significant, long term social damages....
16 September 2012
A Critique of “A Debate on Gay Marriage” by Andrew Sullivan
Same-sex marriages or “homosexuality” has become one of the most highly controversial topics in today’s society. One half of our population is in favor of “homosexuality”, while the other half strongly disagrees with the sexual orientation that others prefer. A debate titled “A Debate on Gay Marriage” had circulated. It states the supporting beliefs of the writer Andrew Sullivan from his book, “Virtually Normal: An Argument about Homosexuality” and rebutting arguments from William J. Bennett, a prominent cultural conservative, which appeared as an op-ed column in the Washington Post in May 1996. Andrew Sullivan wrote the article based on facts why gay people should be able to marry, and William Bennett, in his article, rebuts Sullivan’s pro-gay marriage arguments. The main topics that are being disputed are raising children in the same-sex household, the integrity of a marriage as a legal document, and the ability of churches to be accepting to the concept of same-sex marriages.
According to Sullivan, “marriage is not simply a private contract; it is a social and public recognition of a private commitment” (Sullivan, 404), it should be available to any two citizens. He strongly believes that commitment among “heterosexuals” and “homosexuals” are identical, in respect, “the center of the public contract is an emotional, financial and psychological bong between two people (Sullivan, 404). Sullivan asserts that children that are raised by two homosexual partners are well adjusted as to children raised by traditional, heterosexual parents. Sullivan recognizes that many religious organizations are against homosexuality, but this country has a separation of church and state that makes that argument arbitrary in terms of legality. On the contrary, Bennett states that, “allowing same-sex marriages would do significant, long term social damages....