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Alofipo, Victoria
Professor Jerri A. Harwell
ENGL 1010-007 (Synthesis Exploration)
8 December 2015
Adapting to Same-sex Marriage
Till this day, there are those who are still against the idea of same-sex marriage such as
the Mormon Church. They do not allow a child who has gay parents be a member of their church
until they are 18, moved out of their parents home, receive approval from the churches
leadership, and do not support gay marriage. Those who were neutral to the situation were still
affected by having a negative experience with the gay committee such as Mr. Kolfage, a soldier
in the air force that felt disrespected when LGBT put out a flag with the same design as the
American flag, but with rainbow colors, and called it a not altered American flag, but a gay
lesbian American flag. Not all is negative results though with same-sex marriage, because of
what they call Gay Adoption, which is allowed in over 20 countries, which advocates say was
well needed for children who are in need a home.
The first issue was from those who are totally against same-sex marriage. I chose the
LDS religion specifically, because it is known in Utah, which is the home to LDS members as
anime is to Japan. At first I felt sympathy for those children who couldnt get baptized into the
church, because of their gay parents. I understand, it must be frustrating for the parents but then
again, it was no surprise either. Before the whole legal same-sex marriage on June 25 2015,
when gay marriage was legal, the LDS church has always been against same sex marriage and
made their beliefs very clear, and for that I feel it should be respected. As a member of the LDS

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church, we are reminded countless times that the world will change around us, yet God is will
never change. Since I have a religious perspective on things, I feel like this is my biggest
influence on the situation at hand. I know many people felt that it was wrong, even members
around me didnt feel that it was right for the church to do that. Yet, I have as much respect for
what church authorities say about this, just as for the law, when they legalized same-sex marriage
in the United States.
In my other source with Kolfage, who felt neutral to same-sex marriage but wasnt
against it, and felt disrespected seeing an American flag in rainbow colors, in representation of
same sex-marriage. Source also says that LGBT (Lesbian, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals)
called it the Gay Lesbian American flag, not an altered American flag at all, because otherwise
that would be violation of military base Title 4 U.S CodeSection 1: Flag; stripes property. I
feel like Kolfage spoke for the many of us, who didnt like that idea, because it was our nations
flag, and should not be played with because of your personal sexual preference. I understand
how excited they must have been, with the love wins idea, but I know for myself there has
been many inappropriate actions that the LGBT did for celebrating gay marriage. Some people
were dressed as a gay Jesus on a cross, or comparing their victory to Iwo Jima when the soldiers
were holding up the American flag. Im not trying sound like a Debbie downer on same-sex
marriage, but we cant ignore the fact that this is the nations flag, OUR nations flag, the flag
that people died for and are still fighting for today. I understand that ones actions doesnt speak
for the whole committee of LGBT, overall we should have respect for each others beliefs, and
of course our nation, and just for each other in general.
On the bright side of same-sex marriage, there is gay adoption now aloud in the United
Sates as well as in 20 other countries. Adoption can help many unwanted children out there

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which is sad to think about because no child should be left behind. With gay adoption now,
same-sex couples have a chance to really make their home feel like one, by adopting a child they
can call their own. Its a win for the couple but more importantly, for the child, to grow up in an
environment where they are wanted and loved. There will definitely be a growth in adoption this
year, but makes me question what Americas population will be like in the future. I feel like
Americans population will be lesser in the future, because same-sex marriage is becoming
casual, and normal into Americans lives. Though in my other source with Takano, member of the
U.S House of Representatives, he states American children of same-sex couples are waking up,
eating breakfast and heading to school. Like their peers, they are our countrys future. They will
be our police officers, firefighters, teachers, doctors, and soldiers. Takano made a very clear
point that we have to look at the big picture, by thinking of the future by bringing up the idea of
children the right way for our society to grow. Those children with gay parents, are going to be
raised like any child who has parents, of course there is a difference between them but the
relationship between a child and a parent is almost always unconditional love.
My position on the topic of same sex marriage is very neutral. Im neutral to the gay
marriage situation because I do not support it and respect it, yet I am not against it. My reason
for not supporting it is mainly because of my religious beliefs. Obviously wasnt a debate
whether gay marriage is right or wrong, because it is part of the law and whats done is done.
Then again my reason for respecting it, is the fact that Im human, and American, where we live
in such a diverse community, full of unique individuals, that I can understand both sides. I know
some people feel like you can only choose one side, like its them against us, but after this
research I did, I cant be too sure on either side, because I respect both. Although I been talking
about same-sex marriage as a topic, thing, or belief, these are people,

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Goodstein, Laurie. "Mormons Sharpen Stand Against Same-Sex Marriage." New York Times. 07
Nov. 2015: A.11. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 14 Nov. 2015.
Kolfage, Brian.Air Force Overlooks Disrespectful Display of the American Flag in Favor of
Political Correctness. The Blaze N.p. 05 February 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2015
ProQuest Staff. "At Issue: Gay Adoption." ProQuest LLC. 2015: n.pag. SIRS Issues Researcher.
Web. 15 Nov. 2015.
Takano, Mark, and Tim Huelskamp. "Constitutional Right to Gay Marriage." American Legion
Magazine. Jun. 2015: 12. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.