However, it is estimated that 1,500 species of animals,...
Gay Marriage should be legal.
First, I would like to thank my opponent for the opportunity to debate this topic, as well as put forth a definition of gay marriage. Gay marriage (aka same-sex marriage): the practice of marriage between two males or two females [1]. That being said, however, I have found that Con has not in any way truly defended her position that gay marriage should not be legal, and, to my perception, actually arguing her points sarcastically, showing that she isn't seriously defending her view--save for a short paragraph stating that homosexual relationships are not found in nature--ergo, are unnatural. Homosexuality is NOT Unnatural As I stated before, it is Con's belief that homosexual relationships do not occur in nature. However, it is estimated that 1,500 species of animals, inlcuding lions, dolphins, killer whales, and the dwarf chimpanzee, "which is one of humanity's closes relatives," [2]. So, Con's only serious argument (in my perception) is debunked, as homosexuality does in fact appear in animals which are in nature. Homosexuality is Not A Conscious Decision When looking at homosexulity, it may be easy for someone to believe that a person's desires are a choice. The problem with this theory is that it is simply not true. The American Psychological Association, among many other well known organizations, has officially declared that homosexuality is not in fact a conscious choice or decision [3]. While the APA has said that homosexuality is not a choice, it has pointed out that homosexual acts clearly are not. However, whil some may view this as reason to be against gay marriage, I submit that it is not a valid reason to be against gay marriage. My reasoning behind this is the fact that expecting homosexuals to repress sexual urges (unreasonably, of course) is just as unfair as expecting heterosexuals to unreasonably repress sexual urges on simple logic grounds. It has been determined that neither heterosexuality nor homosexuality are conscious decisions. As well, Con has not given any reason as to why homosexual acts are immoral. Thus, logically speaking, one should not be expected to repress any resulting desires (within reason) whilst the other is not expected to. Marriage is a Basic Right In Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is stated that all men and women have the basic human right to be married and raise a family [4]. This document was written by the United Nations as a standard for all member nations (including the United States of America, which I'm assuming is the country being argued about as far as legalization,) to follow. So, according to that, the USA should allow same sex marriage. Homosexual Unions are Being Discriminated Against It is true that, in the United States, currently marriage is legally defined as "only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife," [5]. But this, following the logic I laid out in "Not a Conscious Decision," can be considered unfair and discriminatory. As I stated before, heterosexual marriages are based on love and commitment as well as heterosexual acts to express that love and commitment whilst enjoying a slew of federal rights--over 1,000 [6]. However, a homosexual couple cannot express that same love and commitment whilst enjoying all of those same federal rights. In fact, only 10 of American States only provide legal recognization as high as a civil union--which provides all of the same rights as marriage, but only on a state level; federal rights are excluded. As well, even more states only have unions with some of the given rights, or don't give any rights at all [7]. And again, seeing as how Con has not provided a serious reason as to why homosexual relations are inferior to heterosexual relations, not universally providing homosexual unions with full equal rights is therefore discriminatory, unfair, and immoral. Summary To summarize my rebuttal and opening statements, I give you my positions contention, based on premises I have proved in my previous sections. (P1) Homosexuality is not unnatural. (P2) Homosexuality, nor its acts have been proved inferior to heterosexuality or its acts. (P3) Marriage is a basic human right. (P4) Homosexual unions are unfairly not being given full and equal rights as heterosexual unions. (C) Therefore, homosexual marriages with full and equal rights should be legalized and put into effect. References [1] http://dictionary.reference.com... [2] http://www.news-medical.net... [3] http://www.apa.org... [4] http://www.un.org... (Article 16) [5] http://www.law.cornell.edu... [6] http://www.now.org... [7] http://en.wikipedia.org... Thank you, and I await Con's response.