Gay Marriage- A Civil Problem Too

Gay marriage is a sensitive topic to many people. Though people are more accepting towards gay couples the idea of them getting married is a completely different issue. Some believe that marriage is a sacred ceremony that should be kept traditional as man and woman while others believe that gay couples deserve equal rights. In a 2012 poll 48% of Americans oppose gay marriage. Though that number sounds pretty good there are still 39 states that ban same-sex marriage.

Same sex marriage isn’t just a gay rights issue; it’s also a civil rights problem going back to the constitution. The constitution was created to achieve equality such that a rich person won’t get more votes than someone who makes $30,000 a year, a Hispanic and Caucasian that committed the same crime would receive the same punishment, Christianity and Judaism will be treated the same, etc. However same sex couples are left out of the loop. They are denied hundred of constitutional rights given to married heterosexual couples. They are unable to make decisions about their partner’s life in a medical emergency, denied social security benefits, and can’t file taxes together and so on. According to the New York Times the lifetime cost of being in a long term gay relationship versus a married relationship can go as high as $467,526. In no way is that equal or just. 

America prides itself on being a country of freedom and equality, but that is evidently not true.  While it’s understandable for American’s to want to uphold traditional marriage there are also many pros to legalizing same sex marriage. It would boast the economy, promote good morals like acceptance and tolerance, and encourage family values as well. It’s time for gay couples to receive their own emancipation proclamation.