Everyone has their own struggle. Between fighting for religious, social and racial equality to a problem that’s thriving behind the four walls of someone’s home. But, tell me why it’s fair that someone fights constantly for simple, basic rights that everyone else already has?
Just like the majority of the population, Same-sex couples fall in love and have that unrestrained desire to spend the rest of their life with that person. But, going down to the local church isn’t how it’s done for them. Here in the United States there are very limited places where same-sex couples can tie-the-knot. These include Massachusetts, Iowa, Vermont and Connecticut. Many couples are willing to travel the hundreds to thousands of miles, others can’t afford the trip. The lucky couples, who can make the journey successfully and get married, often have a hard time coming back to their home town. Quite a few states in the United States don’t acknowledge same-sex marriages performed in another location and frown upon same-sex couples that live in their community. This means to those who return home that their hard work wasn’t worth it, and pretty much they aren’t “married” at all (to the state, of course).
Other things the government offers are specific unions, civil unions are generally what they are called. They’re like marriage, but with restricted rights and limitations. They were created to please the people against same-sex couples using the term “marriage”. It appears that heterosexual couples are a tad bit selfish. To me, if it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's a duck. It doesn't matter if it's really called something else, in the general public, it's a duck. Civil unions are very similar to marriage, yes, but there are a lot of limitations in civil unions unlike a marriage. Marriage is acknowledged world wide and expresses love and commitment between two people that is protected by all levels of our government, a civil union is a union that provides protections to couples at the state law level, but doesn’t protect them at the federal level. Civil unions throw away dignity, clarity, security and power to use the word “marriage”. Many places all over the United States, like I said previously about marriage, do not acknowledge a civil union, which makes it hard for them in ways of taxation, obtaining family insurance, and programs like Medicaid. Especially when filling out forms to tell your marital status, people bound in a civil union do not fit in either “Single” or “Married” categories. Above all, same-sex couples don’t get down on one knee and say, “Will you CIVIL UNION me?” Wouldn’t you be offended if you couldn’t support your family, fill out papers the correct way or benefit from certain programs?

A lot of people have strong opinions against the LGBT community, marriage and how they live their lives. Why is it that people feel they have to have opinions on others, and try to run their lives for them? What they don’t understand is that it’s NOT their right to decide how others decide to live, and have opinions on it. What’s so different in two males, or two females marrying, then one male and one female? Besides the gender differences, it’s the same concept as “traditional” marriage. I don’t see the problem with then having the wedding of their dreams; with the person they’re madly in love with and feeling that endless amount of happiness. Isn’t that how marriage for everyone works?
What people blindly ignore is that same-sex marriage can, believe it or not, save the economy. Think of all the wedding services, and big, extravagant decorations. Think of all the lawyers needed for same-sex divorces. Disapproval is not only causing suffering, but a decline in money! The money spent by same-sex couples on their weddings, divorces, receptions, tattoo removals etc. can go directly towards saving our economy. Bet you didn’t think of that one, did you?

Let’s get serious, is same-sex marriage really as awful as some believe it is? So, a man prefers a husband over a wife, or a woman prefers a wife over a husband. It isn’t the end of the world. Rationalize your decisions before you discriminate because just like heterosexuality, homosexuality is not going to disappear. It is not a phase, nor is it something that can be cured by extensive therapy or oppression by others. What we as fellow humans should do is welcome same-sex marriage around the world. Spend your time caring, other than disapproving and spreading you’re unrealistic and unreasonable hatred. Do not be the reason for someone’s unhappiness, and give same-sex couples the right to spend forever with the one they love. Help stop the injustice all over the world, and bring the severity of this cruelty out into the open.