The meaning of marriage has changed over time, and now is the moment for the United States to recognize the importance of giving gays and lesbians the dignity they deserve. The Marriage Act defines marriage as the union of man and woman, and it prevents homosexual couples from abusing federal laws. Same-sex marriage is not legal in many states and countries but it is now closer to becoming legal than ever before. President Bush opposes a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, and he thinks legalizing gay marriage would redefine the most fundamental institution of civilization and a constitutional amendment is needed to protect it.
             The state of Hawaii was close to giving gay couples legal recognition to get married, and then in December 1996, the court legalized gay marriage (Barr 1). It started when 3 gay couples sued the state of Hawaii. When the lawsuit went into trial the court ruled in favor of the gay couples, ruling that the marriage was unjustified discrimination. This event shows that gay marriage can be legalized any where at any time.
             In April 2000, Vermont approved gay marriage to recognize "civil unions" between same-sex couples, giving them the responsibilities that married couples have under the law. (Barr 2) In Vermont December 1999 the state Supreme Court ruling said that "the same-sex couples are entitled, under the state constitution's "Common Benefits Clause," to the same benefits and protections as married opposite-sex couples." (Marriage laws 1)
             When the meaning of marriage has changed people think of it differently, some people want gay marriage and some people don't. Some people think that gay marriage is wrong and it has to be recognized as the union of one man and one woman. Other people think that gays and lesbians should have and equal right to get married and like non-gay people, gay people need and want the right to marry. People refused the right to marry, for example, because of their race, u...