Gay or Straight: Couples Should Get Same Treatment

Today, we strive to make everyone equal. Or do we? There are still people trying to get the same rights as their fellow Americans. Same-sex couples do not have equal rights. The union of a same-sex couple is not seen in the eyes of the law. Few states allow same-sex marriage, and the marriage is only valid in that state. The same-sex couples that are not lucky enough to live in these states are left with nothing.

The reasons given for not allowing same-sex marriage are mostly religiously based. Most religions do not approve of same-sex couples. They believe that marriage is a religious contract between a man, a woman and God, but marriage has become more in the modern-day world. It has become a contract between two people under the eyes of the law.

Married couples are given rights that same-sex couples have not been able to get. They are denied insurance befits. In the case of an emergency, their partner would not legally be the next of kin. In some states, they are not allowed to adopted children. Even more than that, when a couple is married, they become partners. If they were to get a divorce, the courts would help make sure that each person is given what they are entitled to. Marriage is now a contract by law it is not just a religious ceremony.

The government should be giving every person the same rights. Have we not learned from our mistakes throughout history? There has been a fight for equality since our country's founders signed the Declaration of Independence. Race, religion, and sex have won this fight--now it is time for sexuality too.

It has been proposed that same-sex couples be allowed to have civil unions. It would give them the same legal rights as a married couple. It is not enough. If civil unions are the same thing as marriages, they should be called the same thing. Are we going to have to different licenses--one for straight couples and one for same-sex couples? There would still be discrimination if same-sex couples had to call their union something different than straight couples.

Either all unions should be called marriages or all should be called civil unions. They should not be a different in rights or name. It is time that we stop talking about equality, and put it in to action.