The debate between whether gay marriage should be legalized or not has been a controversial topic recently. In the past twelve years, equal marriage rights have been legalized in 6 states of the U.S.. Eighteen states do not allow gay marriage and do not recognize civil unions. The other twenty six states allow civil unions, and some are debating legalizing gay marriage. Gay marriage should be legal across the United States.
Not allowing gay marriage in any state is unconstitutional. If one state is to allow gay marriage, then the people that get married in that state are supposed to be legally married in all other states of the United States (Hertz). The constitution states, in article 5, that anything that a person performs in one state legally cannot be prosecuted if that person were to move to another state where it is not legal. Meaning that all of the gay marriages that take place in states where it is legal, are supposed to be legal everywhere else in the United States. Many of the arguments against gay marriage are religious, and religion and state are supposed to be separated in the United States (Waldman). The United States is supposed to be run based off of human rights and what works for the government. Many government officials try to run the government based on their religious beliefs, when the officials religious belief should not be taken into consideration on the judgement of gay marriage. The federal Defence of Marriage law was even deemed unconstitutional by one of the judges of the supreme court, Joseph L. Tauro (Michael). The government should be able to follow the rules that had been set hundreds of years ago. It is not acceptable for the government to go against its own words, not allow people to marry due to their religious beliefs when the constitution clearly states that religion and state are supposed to be separated.
Not allowing gay marriage is also discrimination against all of the gay people in
Cited: "Articles & Interviews: Gay Marriage? Absolutely!" Dr. Cat and Heartwings Foundation Official Website. Web. 22 Mar. 2012.. "Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives." Veritas Et Ratio. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. 2012. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. . "Same-Sex Marriage Should Be Legal." Newsvine -. Web. 22 Mar. 2012.