Yes! Marriage of same-sex couples is a hot topic today. This is reminiscent of decades past, when marriage between people of different ethnicities, races, and religious affiliations was prohibited (Buffie, 2011). In modern America, the culture is shifting again with greater support for same-sex marriages. Many American politicians are listening to their constituents in this debate and have changed their position in favor of same-sex marriage. Along with these politicians' changing positions, many states are reversing their previous bans on same-sex marriage. Federal and state governments must legalize same-sex marriages to preserve the freedom to marry for all Americans. The legalization of same-sex marriages legitimizes the equality of couples in society, strengthens family health and constitutes an intrinsic right for all Americans. Equality, stability and rightsAuthorizing same-sex marriages ensures socio-economic equalization of the advantages granted to traditional couples when they enter into the civil union of marriage. Socio-economic rights to pensions, hospital visits, child support, affordable housing, etc. are freely given and are expected when a couple is married. These basic resources for a healthy marriage are typically absent when same-sex marriages or civil unions are in question (Dinno & Whitney, 2013). Currently in the United States, 17 states plus the District of Columbia allow same-sex couples to marry and four others allow domestic partnerships or civil unions (Same sex marriage map, 2014). States in which same-sex couples are married are generally the only states where their marriage rights are guaranteed. It is up to the laws of the winning state whether the marriage is legal and ca...... middle of paper ......ions-doma-laws-by-state.html14 Supreme Court Cases. (July 19, 2012). 14 Supreme Court Cases: Marriage is a Fundamental Right. Retrieved from http://www.afer.org/blog/14-supreme-court-cases-marriage-is-a-fundamental-right/United States District Court, Northern District of Calfornia. (2010). Perry v. Schwarzenneger (C09-2292 VRW). Retrieved from website: www.uscourts.govWiersema. A. (March 15, 2013). Prominent politicians who changed their stance on same-sex marriage. ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/high-profile-politicians-changed-positions-gay-marriage/story?id=18740293 Wilper, A., Woolhandler, S., Lasser, K., McCormick, D ., Bor, D. and Himmelstein, D. (2009). Health insurance and mortality among U.S. adults. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health Search term Search database Clear entry, doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.157685