The fight may not be over yet, but the end may be near. Since 2003, when Massachusetts was the first and only state to legalize gay marriage, over 50% of the U.S. now supports it. In the article, "Why America changed its mind on gay marriage," Stephanie Coontz identifies four reasons why Americans are now pro gay marriage. Her first reason "is the increased visibility of gays and lesbians across the culture, as more come out of the closet." From this she concludes that "it is harder to deny rights to people who are no longer faceless 'others.'" Because so many people can now identify some one they know as gay, either family, friend or celebrity, they are likely to support gay marriage. This is an appeal to pathos, or emotion, because someone we care about may be gay and because of that we will support them. The second reason she identifies "is the success the civil rights and feminist movement have had in establishing social equality as a moral and ethical principle." This is a logical appeal because she uses facts and examples from the past to show that rights for equality have concord. The third reason she says is "the growing tendency to treat freedom of choice in marriage as a basic right." In the past, marriage between races was not allowed, along with other foolish restrictions. This is also a logical appeal. Stephanie's last reason is "the dramatic changes heterosexuals have made in their own marriages." In the last 30 years, marriage and the roles each gender played have been changing throughout the years. It is now acceptable for women and men to share their roles in the home as well as outside.
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