by Saralyn Colon

Created on: July 20, 2008

What is a family? By definition, a family is a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head. There's nothing in this definition that says who makes up this family. Depending on your personal, or religious beliefs, your definition of family may be different.

In today's society, there are many different kinds of family. Single parent homes, homes where grandparents riase their grandchildren. Even aunts and uncles who step in and take care of those children in their family who otherwise can't be cared for. Some couples choose to adopt children, and this happens for any number of reasons.

Family to me, is a group of people under a single roof who love each other. People who are caring, loving, and nurturing to their children. Having said this there is nothing saying that a gay couple, whether male or female, cannot have a family. No one should be deprived of experiencing the joys of parenthood based on their sexual preference.

There is much debate on the "rights" of homosexual persons. Unfortunately, gay couples are discriminated against by society, and sometimes their peers and family members. Some choose religious beliefs as their argument against gay marriage, and the adoption of children in their households. But what I encourage those and all other people to remember, is that God created all of us. If being gay was so wrong, than God would have chosen for it not to exist. I do not believe that being gay is a matter of environment or something learned. It is not something that you are taught, and not "contagious". Being gay is not a disease. It is a part of who you are, from the day you were born. It's nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to hide, and nothing for others to be negative towards. Being gay should not hold you back from experiencing all the good life has to offer.

It's unfortunate that in today's society the laws try to prevent gay couples from doing and having a great number of things. Great change is necessary in this regard. There are too many children without homes, needing and wanting loving families to call their own. There's nothing to say that two women or two men cannot provide loving homes for these children. Each person in this world, regardless of their race, age, religious beliefs, or sexual preference has the right to a family, children, marriage, etc. As a society, we should get past our differences and look towards the future. Each of us have the right to life, and the pursuit of happiness. If having a child or children makes their family happy, then let it happen.

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