Emily Barrett

November 5, 2014
Professor Altman
English 115
Arguments
Argument: Gay marriage should be legal in every state in the United States of America.
Important Claim: Everybody should have the right to marry who they want. It is not right to
withhold the right to marry someone just because they are the same sex as the other. Does this
make a woman and a womans love less significant than a love between a man and a woman?
Does that mean that their love story doesnt matter? Its not important enough to be legally
recognized? That is unjust and just flat out wrong. Governor Romney says hes against samesex marriage because every child deserves a mother and a father. I think every child deserves a
family as loving and committed as mine. Because the sense of family comes from the
commitment we make to each other to work through the hard times so we can enjoy the good
ones. It comes from the love that binds us; thats what makes a family. Mr. Romney, my family
is just as real as yours. (Zach Wahls)
Important Opposing Claim: It goes against religious beliefs. The bible clearly states that Do you
not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, norsodomites, nor thieves,
nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (1

Corinithians 6:9-10 NKJV) The bible also states that "Therefore a man leaves his father and his
mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)
Rebuttal: Regarding religious beliefs that go against gay marriage, America is a free country.
Everyone has their right to practice their own religion, which means they are free to not go
along with others religions. So, how is it right that gay marriage should not be allowed based on
the fact that it goes against others religions? If America is a free country, then why are peoples
beliefs being forced onto others, even when it heavily impacts a persons life, like who they can
and cannot marry?
My Claim: I personally believe in the legalization of gay marriage in every state. While according
to my religion, Christianity, it is not well received or recognized, I firmly believe that everyone
should have the right to marry who they want to. I personally dont know what I would do if I
couldnt marry who I wanted, it would be crushing. But, I dont see how it is right that just
because I happened to be born straight, that I have the right to marry who I want, but the
people who were born gay do not. People do not choose what race they are, they cant decide
if they are white or black or anything, just like people cannot choose what sexual orientation
they are. The whole thing just goes back to the womens rights movement, or the civil rights
movement, everyone should have the same rights as everybody else. Some people dont
believe that at all, and to me, thats fine. I will recognize your opinion as a valid one, but I also
except that my opinion will be equally recognized and respected in return, including by the law.
Scholarly Claim: I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay
marriage. But when you start playing around with constitutions, just to prohibit somebody who

cares about another person, it just seems to me that's not what America's about. Usually, our
constitutions expand liberties, they don't contract them. ( Barack Obama, President of the
United States)