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Gay Marriage: Morals, Logic, and Biology

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Oct 2, 2010
by: jake.brugger
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Gay Marriage: Morals, Logic, and Biology
Jake Brugger

    I have always been of the mindset that gays that should be able to marry, and still am, even after reading the data to the contrary. There is valid information on both sides of the argument; yet, in my opinion, there is still much more supporting gay marriage as a right than dismissing it as a threat and moral abomination of sorts. This is not a moral argument. It is one of legality, dignity, and logic. Supporters of gay marriage site the overwhelming amount of scientific support proving homosexuality to be the result of an innate, biochemical brain function. While citing this information, many believe, as I do, that any two people who truly love each other should be able to marry regardless of sexual orientation, innate or otherwise. Opponents of gay marriage cite the Bible and its condemnation of homosexual behavior. More secular opponents argue that marriage, the bedrock of our society, cannot be 'eroded' in this manner without society as a whole suffering the consequences of this perceived immorality. The issue remains one of the most divisive we face, encompassing not only morality and faith, but law, society, and dignity as well, and cannot be ignored for much longer.
    Opposition to gay marriage is rooted in religion and morality. While the most staunch opponents will frequently cite the Bible and its condemnation of homosexual behavior (most notably in the book of Leviticus), most moderate opponents argue that the foundation of our society as a whole (that is, marriage) is of the utmost importance to preserving virtue, and that permitting gay marriage would destroy the family, and, consequently, society. More in depth study shows that there is some evidence supporting the claim, made by many, that children raised by homosexual parents do have a somewhat skewed take on gender roles and can be ill-adjusted, when compared to the norm.
 

"The paper argues that children with lesbian and gay parents are more likely to depart from traditional gender roles. Children born to and raised by homosexuals tend to play, dress and behave differently than children reared in heterosexual households."-University of Southern California Study on gay parenting, citing "How does the Sexual Orientation of the Parents Matter?" by Judith Stacey & Timothy J. Biblarz


This evidence, though backed by nominal empirical fact, ignores the heart of this debate: who's to say whether these 'departures from the norm' are inherently wrong? The heart of the pro gay marriage article is firmly rooted in logic and biological findings, which say that

1). Homosexuality is not a choice; it is a function of the brain's biochemistry before birth and

2). Homosexuals are by no means inferior, and have every legal and social right to marry whom they love.
Many opponents of gay marriage argue its immorality; yet, their views are rooted in their own theology, which the majority of people are unlikely to follow. To say that, given a specific theology or ideology, gays are inferior and should be deprived of the right to marry ignores not only the differing views of the people and biological evidence, but also the conflicts with the Constitution-this is to be a secular government, as defined....., where marriage requirements are not rooted in faith, but rather in reason and dignity. Regardless of the moral conundrums of legislators, marriage is primarily a legal issue, one that cannot, under the Constitution, be influenced by their own biases and convictions. If a Church opposes gay marriage, that is fine, it has every right to do so. However, our law is (thankfully) rooted in reason, logic, and dignity, and not in religious doctrine, much less a specific dogma.

 

"Simon LeVay conducted another experiment regarding the hypothalamus of the human brain in 1991.  LeVay, like Swaab and Allen also did a post-mortem examination on human brains; however, he did his examinations on patients who had died from AIDS-related illnesses.  He examined 19 declared homosexual man, with a mean age of 38.2, 16 presumed heterosexual men, with a mean age of 42.8, and 6 presumed heterosexual women, with a mean age of 41.2 [3].  LeVay discovered that within the hypothalamus, the third interstitial notch of the anterior hypothalamus (INAH3) was two to three times smaller in homosexual men then in heterosexual men.  The women examined also exhibited this phenomenon.  LeVay concluded the "homosexual and heterosexual men differ in the central neuronal mechanisms that control sexual behavior", and like Allen and Swaab, agreed that this difference in anatomy was no product of upbringing or environment, but rather prenatal cerebral development and structural differentiation."-Homosexuality: Nature or Nurture? by Ryan D. Johnson, Allpsychjournal.com

With recent controversy over California's Proposition 8, gay marriage is an issue likely to be in the forefront of media attention in the foreseeable future. It is best, therefore, that both sides are known, and the moral, biological, and logical arguments are represented.

 

Comments

 Jake, Well first off Let

Submitted by SBrimhall on Mon, 2010-10-11 08:21.

 Jake,

Well first off Let me say that your argument was clear and well written. I agree with you when you said that  "This is not a moral argument. It is one of legality, dignity, and logic." Morals very from person to person, Human rights however do not. Keep up the great work.

 

-Sierra

Jake, This was a nice essay

Submitted by Hannah Brashear on Tue, 2010-10-19 23:55.

Jake,

This was a nice essay and how you stated your opinion and side with examples and statements to back it up. You also included the opposing side with their views to contrast a very controversary topic. I like how you state, "permitting gay marriages would destroy the family, and consequently, society." This stood out to me and had a more emotional touch.

-Hannah B

Dear Jake, I liked your

Submitted by Dtoalongo on Wed, 2010-10-20 19:12.

Dear Jake,

I liked your post, "Gay Marriage: Morals, Logic, and Biology Jake Brugger," because this is an issue that concern to many people. I know about a lot of people that are in favor and against this issue. The way I think of it is that if they do not affect me in any way then I really don’t have an opinion about it.
One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is: "While citing this information, many believe, as I do, that any two people who truly love each other should be able to marry regardless of sexual orientation, innate or otherwise." I think this is true because if two people love each other then they should be able to get married. I think that they should be allow to do their own thing, at the end of the day it is their life and so if they think marriage is right for them then I guess it is fine.
Another sentence that caught my attention was: "Opposition to gay marriage is rooted in religion and morality. While the most staunch opponents will frequently cite the Bible and its condemnation of homosexual behavior (most notably in the book of Leviticus), most moderate opponents argue that the foundation of our society as a whole (that is, marriage) is of the utmost importance to preserving virtue, and that permitting gay marriage would destroy the family, and, consequently, society.." This stood out for me because in a way I understand why a lot of people oppose. I believe in my religion and I know that homosexuality is wrong but I do not understand what does that have to do with laws. Church and government are separated so it should not influence any laws.
Thanks for your writing. I look forward to seeing what you write next, because this issue is really interesting. I would like to know more information about this.