Here Come the Grooms

Imagine you are at a wedding. While sitting in one of the aisles, you look around at the beautifully decorated room, wondering what the bride will be wearing. The handsome groom is anxiously waiting at the altar, and then the “Here Comes the Bride!” music starts. All eyes shift to the back. However, instead of seeing the traditional astounding white dress that accompanies most brides at their weddings, you see another groom, starting to walk up the altar slowly and joins his groom. Is this some mistake? Are these people for real? It may be hard to believe, but gay marriages are starting to happen all around us.

Many Americans do not think it is right for two men or two women to get married. Although most Americans have agreed to allow gays equal rights for housing, jobs, and government benefits, they all are hesitant to let gay couples get married. There is indeed a giant wall between the supporters and the opposing group. The nation is in the process of segregating itself all over again (much like the blacks vs. whites era). Although America is considered one of the greatest places on earth because of freedom, equality, and education, the country is filled with violence, hate, and divided. It is because there is a misconception of what homosexuality really is. According to a gay essayist named Scott Bidstrup, a large number of people think that gays are “promiscuous, unable to form lasting relationships…” and while the relationships that do form are “shallow and uncommitted”. Although relationships like these do happen, they are also just as common in straight relationships. Gays should not be preyed upon simply because they choose to love someone of the same gender. Gay couples have every capability to perform as a regular straight couple. They can adopt children, and just like any other family, “are loyal to their mates and are monogamous, devoted partners” (Bidstrup). They are opposed by many people simply because they are different, and these people are wrong.

What makes this issue so controversial is that gay couples are not being admitted to spousal benefits such as receiving insurance from a husband or wife, child custody or even signing consent forms in hospitals for special procedures. These and many more benefits are being denied to gay couples because they are prohibited to get married. Although authorities have sanctioned civil unions for gay couples, it is simply not enough. They still do not receive the same benefits as the straight couples who are married do.