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Oprah On Gay Marriage: Same-Sex Couples May Make Institution Of Marriage Stronger (VIDEO)

WATCH: Oprah: Gay Couples May Strengthen The Institution Of Marriage
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Recently, France became the 14th country to legalize same-sex marriage. Yet, in the United States, only 12 states plus the District of Columbia allow gay couples to marry. Though more and more Americans say they support gay marriage, the debate is still a heated one, with supporters calling for changes to marriage laws to include same-sex marriage and opponents holding tight to traditional marriage as a sacred institution.

In this clip from "Super Soul Sunday," Oprah and a panel of thought leaders -- Rev. Ed Bacon, author Elizabeth Lesser and author Mark Nepo -- take on the topic of gay marriage and get to the heart of the issue: Is same-sex marriage a threat to the institution of traditional marriage?

Absolutely not, says Rev. Bacon. As someone who has officiated many gay and straight marriages, the pastor says that there is only one effect legalized gay marriage will have on the institution. "It's going to be enriched," he states. "I've never had a straight couple come to me and say, 'My marriage is in trouble because of a gay couple living next door.'"

At his church, All Saints Episcopal Church, Rev. Bacon also sees gay and straight couples sit side-by-side, creating a valuable learning opportunity among the parishioners. "One of my leaders said, 'Where you stand on this [gay marriage] issue depends on where you sit on Sunday morning,'" Rev. Bacon says. "What he was saying was, he and his wife were sitting next to a gay couple. They're worshiping together and their marriage is being enriched by this gay couple. So, exposure is one of the answers."

Adds Elizabeth, "And the institution of marriage is already in trouble, long before gays were getting married."

"Maybe the gay people can help it," says Oprah.

"I think they can!" Elizabeth responds.

In the video, Oprah and the panel also discuss eliminating prejudice and what can help open up one's heart. For Mark, personal hardships and struggles have a way of doing this. "I know from my own cancer journey, the more that I have been through, the more I am open to finding love wherever I can find it," he says. "It's as simple as that."

"Super Soul Sunday" airs at 11 a.m. ET on OWN.

Before You Go

Gay Marriage In The United States
New York(01 of17)
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New York lawmakers legalized same-sex marriage on July 24, 2011, making it the largest state at the time to pass such legislation. (credit:Flickr: alh1)
Maryland(02 of17)
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Voters in Maryland approved marriage equality in the November 2012 election.Initially, the gay marriage bill was signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) on March 1, 2012, but opponents gathered enough signatures to force the issue back onto the ballot. With the passing of marriage equality, same-sex marriage ceremonies began on Jan. 1, 2013. (credit:AP)
Iowa(03 of17)
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Iowa's Supreme Court ruled the state's gay marriage ban unconstitutional on April 3, 2009. (credit:Getty)
Maine(04 of17)
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Maine made history in the November 2012 election when it became the first state to pass marriage equality on the ballot. Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin said, "Voters in Maine came to the common-sense conclusion that all people deserve the ability to make loving, lifelong commitments through marriage."Just three years ago, a popular vote overturned legislation that would have legalized same-sex marriage in the state. (credit:AP)
Massachusetts(05 of17)
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Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage on May 17, 2004. The state's Supreme Court initially found the ban on gay marriage unconstitutional on Nov. 18, 2003. (credit:AP)
New Hampshire(06 of17)
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Same-sex couples were able to begin seeking marriage licenses on Jan. 1, 2010. (credit:Flickr: jimbowen0306)
Vermont(07 of17)
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Vermont, which invented civil unions, became the first state to legalize gay marriage through a legislature's vote -- overriding the governor's veto. Same-sex couples were able to begin marrying on Sept, 1, 2009. (credit:Flickr: Tony Fischer Photography)
Washington D.C.(08 of17)
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Gay couples were able to begin marrying in the nation's capital on March 9, 2010. (credit:Flickr: Vox Efx)
California(09 of17)
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The state initially began conducting gay marriages on June 16, 2008. On November 5, 2008, however, California voters passed Proposition 8, which amended the state's constitution to declare marriage as only between a man and a woman.On June 26, 2013, by a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court justices held in Hollingsworth v. Perry that the traditional marriage activists who put Proposition 8 on California ballots in 2008 did not have the constitutional authority, or standing, to defend the law in federal courts after the state refused to appeal its loss at trial, opening the door for marriages to resume in the state. (credit:AP)
Washington(10 of17)
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On February 13, 2012, Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) signed a law allowing same-sex marriage ceremonies to begin on June 7, 2012. The process was delayed by gay marriage opponents who gathered enough signatures to put the issue up to a state vote in November 2012.Gay marriage passed on November 7, 2012. The official determination for Washington did not come until one day after the election because of the state's mail-in voting system. (credit:AP)
Rhode Island(11 of17)
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Gay marriage came to Rhode Island when Governor Lincoln Chafee signed the marriage equality bill into law on May 2, 2013. (credit:AP)
Delaware(12 of17)
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Delaware obtained gay marriage when Governor Jack Markell signed the marriage equality bill it into law on May 7, 2013. (credit:Getty)
Minnesota(13 of17)
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Minnesota same-sex couples achieved marriage equality when Gov. Mark Dayton signed the legislation into law on May 14, 2013. (credit:AP)
New Jersey(14 of17)
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Newark Mayor Cory Booker began marrying same-sex couples at City Hall at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 21, 2013. (credit:AP)
Hawaii(15 of17)
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Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed same-sex marriage into law on Nov. 13, 2013, making it the 15th state to pass such legislation.
Illinois(16 of17)
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Illinois became the 16th state to legalize gay marriage, with the House having passed the bill on Nov. 5. and Gov. Pat Quinn signing the legislation on Nov. 20. (credit:AP)
New Mexico(17 of17)
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On Dec. 19, the New Mexico Supreme Court unanimously ruled that same-sex marriage rights are protected under the Constitution. (credit:Robert Alexander via Getty Images)
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