Sexual Orientation and Same-Sex Marriage

Some critics of same-sex marriage argue that the only legitimate marriages are ones that involve "comprehensive union," which same-sex marriages cannot do. Which of the following is the best objection to this view? (If this view were correct ...)

... heterosexual couples who are paralyzed or otherwise unable to have face-to-face vaginal intercourse would not have legitimate marriages.

Some critics of same-sex marriage argue that the only legitimate marriages are ones that produce children, which same-sex marriages cannot do. Which of the following states a good objection to this view? (If this view were correct ...)

... heterosexual couples who are sterile—or who do not want to have children—would not have the right to marry.

Social conservatives argue that homosexuality is "unnatural" and therefore immoral. Suppose an unnatural event is one that does not occur in the non-human natural world. Which of the following is a good objection to this argument, given this definition of unnaturalness?

Bonobos, dogs, male lions, sheep, and dolphins have been observed to engage in homosexual acts. Homosexuality does occur in nature. Even if an event does not occur in the non-human natural world, that does not automatically make it wrong (e.g., fire-starting, opera-singing). Even if something is entirely man-made, that does not automatically make it morally suspicious (e.g., polyester clothes, iPhones).

Jeff Jordan responds to the idea that his argument would also rule out mixed-race marriages, in at least some jurisdiction. He says that same-sex marriages involve behavior which is objectionable, while mixed-race marriages do not involve objectionable behavior, but objectionable identities. He then says it is okay to criticize behavior, but not okay to criticize identities. How does David Boonin reply to this argument?

Boonin says that some people who object to interracial marriage also object to the act of "weakening the purity of the race," or "failing to put one's own race first." So they are objecting to an act in both cases, and Jordan must therefore treat the cases the same.

What does Leiser say about the idea that homosexuality is unnatural and immoral because it means using body parts against their proper functions?

He says this reasoning implies that heterosexual sex acts such as oral intercourse and masturbation are also be wrong - which they are not.

Some argue that homosexuality is "unnatural" and therefore immoral because it is statistically abnormal. Which of the following is a good objection to this view?

Other traits, such as having green eyes and being left-handed, are statistically abnormal traits, but that does not mean these traits are immoral.

Which of the following is a logical implication of the view that all sex acts which involve the use of genitalia for non-reproductive purposes are morally wrong?

Sex simply for pleasure is morally wrong. Sex simply to express love for one's partner is morally wrong. Sex using artificial means of contraception is morally wrong.

Which of the following events would violate a descriptive law of nature?

Someone walking on water.

Which of the following is not a protection bestowed by the right to marry in the United States?

The right to the approval of others: if you get married, everyone must think that you made a good decision (morally and practically) in getting married.

Some argue that it would be wrong for the state to resolve the disagreement surrounding same-sex marriage by declaration because there is public disagreement about its propriety. Therefore, they say, the state ought to accommodate everyone through (e.g.) civil unions. How does Boonin reply?

There is a compelling reason to resolve the disagreement by declaration: keeping it illegal violates the right to equal protection under the law. Keeping same-sex marriage illegal doesn't fully accommodate everyone. There is a compelling reason to resolve the disagreement by declaration: keeping it illegal violates the right to equal protection under the law. This same argument would rule out mixed-race marriage, at least in some jurisdictions.