Most people these days are in favor of equal rights for homosexuals. They agree that gays should have the same rights in housing, jobs, public accommodations, equal access to government benefits, equal protection of the law, etc. Then you get to the subject of same-sex marriage and suddenly all of the talk about equality stops dead cold. Many of the same people who are even passionately in favor of gay rights, still oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage. This is simply because of societies' constant fear of change. When modern times have forced us to re-evaluate a situation with the possibility of making a change in society, people simply turn their backs and refuse to listen. They are used to the way things are, and see no reason to change something that has been constant for years. What they cease to understand is that sometimes what is constant and comfortable might not always be what is right. They are so used to having things a certain way that they never take the time to look at a situation and address it.
             Currently, the United States is experiencing a large amount of excitement and activity revolving around the possibility of legalizing same-sex marriages. Legal marriage is acknowledged as a state-defined contract available only to a man and a woman. Marriage among society is considered the ultimate acknowledgment of two people's commitment and love for each other. Same-sex couples have been celebrating public ceremonies of commitment for many years now, although they are not considered "real" marriages because they are not recognized by the state as legal. These couples think of their union as one "sanctioned by God" and check "married" on questionnaires, but the state still sees them as individuals without marital privileges or protections. Why is it that homosexuals have been recognized in almost every situation involving equal rights, but are still denied the right to legal marriage? Once again, it comes do...