Jack,

You were my best friend when I had few, for that memory Im begging you to read this.
Because Im an incredibly dry person this isnt going to be an empowering block of text, it wont be
exciting or even interesting to many people and I doubt this will get any likes. But I do believe it will be
a level headed approach to an extremely emotive topic that might help you understand the views you
hold and revaluate them. Although I dont think the value of an argument should change based on who
wrote it, I think its worth considering that if youre talking about privilege, I fall into almost no minority
groups or groups who are discriminated against, yet I still feel compelled to argue for their cause. I want
you to think about that and consider what it might mean.
At a principal level;
Why is marriage denied to gay people?
o At the most fundamental level, because of tradition, that tradition arose from societal
values at the time it was formed that deemed homosexual couples to be unnatural or
sinful. That value has persisted throughout society up until this current era.
o The sexuality of a person is an arbitrary factor to a persons worth. The same as race,
height, age, gender. These factors do not determine the worth of a person and those
people should not be discriminated against as on the principle level, it is wrong to blame
someone for something which they have no control over as there is no fault. Thats the
principal behind our justice system, if someone consciously does something wrong we
feel they can be blamed, people do not choose their sexuality and we should not
discriminate against them (denying someone marriage would be discrimination as they
are prevented from doing something purely by their sexuality). If you believe that
sexuality is a decision then there is little I can say to convince you otherwise, the robust
academic research has already been done in that area and its findings were near
absolute.
What do we define as marriage?
o Marriage is a social construct, human beings defined marriage and human beings can
change what we mean by it. We can change it if it suits us, there is no inherent value in
sticking with beliefs just because we already hold them, to do so would be a genetic
fallacy.
o

The stakeholders and practical benefits/harms of marriage equality;
Non-Heterosexual people
o It would be clear that there are significant benefits to non-heterosexual people if
marriage equality was instituted. They would gain full legal benefits of marriage which
they are currently deprived in some states and countries. They would be benefits to
their sense of self and their self-perceived value. It is of immense importance to a
persons mental health for them to consider themselves valued and valuable. I doubt
any person could cogently argue that there are not benefits to introducing marriage
equality to the world.
Heterosexual people
o Ill look at this in a micro and macro level. On the individual level it may cause distress to
certain people that others have marriage equality, I do not dispute this and absolutely
respected the opinions and rights of others to exercise their opinions. It would equally
bring happiness as many people have non-hetro friends who are suffering mental
distraught over their deprivation of marriage rights, seeing others happy and prospering
is one of the most rewarding experiences in the world, many people would reap the
benefits of their gay and bi friends attaining marriage equality from simply being in the
presence of happy people. However, the needs of the few must be weighed against the
needs of the many.
o On the macro level, heterosexual society as a whole would benefit from marriage
equality as it would lead to more effective and harmonious relations with the non-
heterosexual community, this leads to mutual benefit in all areas. It would benefit
heterosexual people as it advances the principles of equality and protection of human
rights, a value system that ensures everyone, no matter how disadvantage or how much
of a minority they are, that they are protected under the eyes of the law. This system is
important because there may come a time when the groups you or I are in are
discriminated against and when that time comes the law, and its principles of human
rights will be there to protect you.
I feel I could write about this for days, write thousands of words but I dont think I have the time to do it,
nor do I think you (or others) would be inclined to read it. I hope this has lead you to re-examine your
views and consider why others hold the views they hold. Empathy is something that matters a lot, if you
understand where someone is coming from, and I mean REALLY understand it then Ive found its almost
impossible to resent them for what the feel. Ill end on a clichd quote, but one that none the less struck
a chord with me from the master of the human condition, I hope you find as much value in it as I do.
Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.

-Edmond Stewar