Is same-sex marriage a practical consideration in this age of globalisation?

Same-sex marriage, or homosexual marriages, would definately be a practical consideration in this age of globalisation due to a variety of reasons. The most important one would undoubtly be allowing homosexuals the right that have already been given to the rest of the population since ages past: the right to form a genuine, dignified, and an officially state-recognised family.

In the age of globalisation today, while more religious-inclined muslim and christian nations take more conservative approaches towards the subject of homosexuality, the more devloped countries today with significantly more open and liberal societies have come to recognise the value of the 'pink dollar', the metaphoric term used to describe the economic value of homosexuals, further emphasised by the claim that homosexuals are superior in terms of creativity and providing ideas or solutions. This claim may not be completely baseless, as seen from the tendency of finding large percentage of homosexuals in the entertainment and creative industries (although this may probably be subtly supported by homosexuals themselves to increase their chances of being accepted by society). Thus, legalising same-sex marriages, homosexuals would be attracted to migrate into the country to enjoy these rights instead of continuing to stay in their respective countries and either face discrimination or be denied marriage rights. Countries that pass these laws can also prevent existing homosexuals from leaving the country, thus helping to curb the much dreaded 'brain drain' where highly educated and skilled individuals leave their own country for another after their training, wasting their original country's resources into training them.

Another major point supporting homosexual marriage would be the human rights of these homosexuals themselves. Although many countries has come to recognised the economic potential of homosexuals (as my first point explained) and try to attract them into working in the country, areas regarding legalising marriage and the sexual activity of homosexuals continue to be ignored. However, what countries don't realise - with one good example being Singapore - is that although they may open the economic opportunities for these homosexuals and allow them to integrate into society somewhat comfortably, they may provide the monetary requirements of these people but the sexual and family needs of homosexuals continue to not be met. For homosexuals to truely be accepted into society, countries must learn to meet all of their basic needs, including their need to form families and sex. Surely such a response in thanks for the 'pink dollar' these homosexuals bring in to contribute to economic growth isn't too much of a request! These rights they desire are not 'special' in any case, but simply the same rights given to everyone else - albeit in a slightly different context.

One major factor against homosexual marriages would be the obvious inability to procreate - one of the originally most important purpose of a marriage traditionally. While many claim that adopting other children might be a solution (and it IS on an individual scale), on a macro level the problem remains completely unsolved as there are effectively no new offspring being produced - only a redistribution of children to new guardians. Should homosexual marriage be legalised and more and more such marriages become made - the possibility of the entire population dying out in the long run due to a lack of newborns becomes startlingly real! Yet one should note that hetrosexual marriages too does not guarentee babies, as can be seen from the rising trend of "double income with no kids" coupls in the devloped and more affluent societies. Also, banning homosexual marriages doesn't necessarily (if at all) equate to these homosexuals getting married with the opposite sex and producing offspring. Instead, they are likely to remain 'domestic partners' and continue to be childless. The arguement that legalising homosexual marriages would encourage people to turn homosexuals and thus further worsen the low birth rate problem can easily be dismissed, as sexual orientation has long been proven to be a genetic issue - and certainly no one will 'want' to turn homosexual given the general disapproval and discrimination from society.

Thus, same-sex marriages are definately a practical consideration in this age of globalisation. While this may turn off many, especially people more traditionally inclined or religious, should one take a closer look at the various disadvantages and benefits, one will tend to realise that the boons outweigh the banes by a fair amount, and most countries would certainly stand to gain by accepting these homosexuals and giving them the rights that they long for.