To the Expositor:
How would you feel if you were denied to marry the man or woman that you love, simply because you have the same body parts? How would you feel if people looked at you with the same disgust and disrespect some people look at homosexual couples? Same sex marriage has, and always will be, a very controversial topic, some people are all for it, where others are completely repulsed by the idea. As a Canadian citizen you are entitled to your own opinion, but as a human being you have to consider the fact that what you say and do will affect the people around you.
In Canada we are lucky enough to have same sex marriage guaranteed in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In the Charter, under the Civil Marriage Act, it states, “For greater certainty, a marriage is not void or voidable by reason only that the spouses are the same sex.” As a Canadian citizen we have been guaranteed the right to marry same sex partners. Individuals in other countries have been denied this human right. In fact, same sex marriage has only been made legal in fifteen countries throughout the world. These countries are, The Netherlands in 2000, Belgium in 2003, Canada and Spain in 2005, South Africa in 2006, Norway and Sweden in 2009, Iceland, Portugal and Argentina in 2010, Denmark in 2012, France and Brazil in 2013, And just recently England and Whales. Same sex marriage has also been made partially legal in parts of the United States and Mexico.
Why is same sex marriage seen as wrong? I mean, it’s no different than a man and a women getting married, both individuals love each other and are ready to spend the rest of their lives with one another. The only difference being that one couple has the same body part in their jeans. When forming an opinion on same sex marriage you really have to stop and think, “What would allowing two men or two women get married do to affect me?” The answer is simple, nothing. Homosexual couples are no different than heterosexual couples, the only major difference of the two would be that a homosexual couple is not be able to create their own child. This does not mean they won’t be able to love and care for a child just as much as heterosexual couples. It simply means they need a little help creating one. Counter arguments may be made, such as in God’s eyes it is seen as an abomination. With statements like this, “God loves all his children” is forgotten, and we paraphrase a book written 35,000 years ago.
Furthermore, I will personally continue to fight for humans who have had their basic rights stolen from them. Stand up for what you believe in and don’t be afraid to be who you are. There are so many ways you can get involved and stand up for this cause. If you’re straight and against gay hate, join a gay straight alliance. If you hear kids in the hall calling other kids ‘fag,’ stand up for them. Don’t be ignorant; this is happening, get involved and stand up for the cause.
Kayla McFarlane, a Grade 12 student at MSS Providence Bay
