Changing Societal Views of Homosexuality
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This paper is an examination of the impact of changing societal views about homosexuality and the effects of those changes on the institution of the family. While homosexuality has been a part of the human experience from the beginning, societyÆs attitudes toward homosexual practices and homosexual lifestyles have changed considerably. In American society, this has meant an evolution from shame and disapproval to gradual and increasing acceptance. Yet gay and lesbian marriage remains a difficult concept for most Americans to embrace, and the families that have tried to form around homosexual unions face great barriers to acceptance and legal obstacles for participants, ranging from prohibitions against partner benefits to difficulties in becoming parents and problems accepting gay and lesbian children. This paper looks at the controversies that continue to surround same-sex couples and the families they seek to create in a society that is still unsure that such relationships ought to be welcomed, encouraged, or, at the very least, legally recognized. A recent case in Alabama demonstrates the prejudice that continues to exist against homosexuality, even within the justice system. Robert W. Lee (2002, April 8) quotes Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, who ruled, "Homosexual conduct is, and has been, considered abhorrent, immoral, detestable, a crime against nature, and a violation of the laws of nature and of nature's God upon which this Nation and our laws are predicated
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prived of the opportunity to become legally married, choose to celebrate their unions in commitment ceremonies. These events usually resemble heterosexual weddings in every respect except the legal marriage license, although couples often find themselves wrestling with groundbreaking and sometimes complicated decisions. (Do both brides wear wedding gowns, can such ceremonies be held in a church, how should the vows be worded, etc.?) These ceremonies are often the only option for same-sex couples to make a social commitment, and they are not a substitute for the ôreal thingö of a legal ceremony of marriage.
The movement to establish legally-binding civil unions for same-sex couples has made some progress worldwide. John. L. Allen Jr. (2001, January 5) chronicles the movementÆs success in Europe:
Ten European nations have adopted laws providing for civil registration of homosexual partnerships, with others on the brink of doing so. Two nations, Holland and Iceland, offer gay couples the right to adopt children . . . European governments are moving toward a legal redefinition of marriage that includes homosexual couples. Denmark was the first country in the world to legally recognize same sex partnerships on October 1, 1989
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Anthony Rapp, Law Dictionary, Randy Frame, Americans Conservative, Steve Gunderson, Julie Cypher, Elizabeth McEneaney, Glenn Dowling, , Social Security, same-sex couples, gay lesbian, lee 2002, april 8, 2002 april 8, lee 2002 april, 2002 april, 1997 october 28, 1997 october, family unit, 1996 march, march 4, 1996 march 4, 1999 march, frame 1996 march,
Approximate Word count = 3897
Approximate Pages = 16 (250 words per page)
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