A homosexual is defined as someone who is sexually attracted to other persons of the same sex. They exist in all classes, social groups, races, positions, and countries, regardless of their age or origin. As far as historians can trace back the past, homosexuals have always been in existence, including Julius Caesar, Plato, and Alexander the Great. Gays have existed for as long as history, but it is only until recently that being gay has actually become a socially acceptable thing. Throughout history, gays have been the victim of an onslaught of discrimination. Gays did not always have equal legal rights, were refused jobs and were subject to violence and harassment. Being gay was a dangerous thing so many people were afraid to come out. Same-sex marriage is a legally or socially recognized marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. As of the Marriage Act 1961, the Australian definition of marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Currently, same-sex marriages are not permitted under Australian federal law and unions between same-sex couples entered into outside the country are not to be recognized as marriage in Australia. In November 2008, Parliament passed laws that recognized same-sex couples in federal law, offering them the same rights as unmarried heterosexual couples in areas such as taxation, social security and health, aged care and employment. This means that same-sex couples who can prove they are in a legitimate relationship have most of the rights of married couples since 1 July 2009. While this is not marriage, they are granted most of the same legal rights. The issue now is whether or not a gay couple should be able to enter into the union of marriage and gain all the exact same benefits and legal rights as a straight couple would.…