Gay people don't want to have special privileges. They simply want to have the same rights as heterosexuals, no more and no less. Gay people are a growing minority, with nearly a million gays and lesbians identifying as members of same-sex couples in the 2000 census. But the total gay population is much larger, since the census did not did not give single homosexuals the opportunity to identify their sexual orientation, and did not take into account gay couples living separately (Mason 1). There is no legitimate reason why homosexuals should not have the same rights as heterosexuals. Our country disgraces itself when it “[…] accepts homosexuality as sufficient cause for the deprivation of normal civil rights […]” (Nava, Dawidoff 144). If a gay person is a U.S. citizen, they should have the same rights as all other citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation. Gay men and lesbians deserve the right to marry, to be free from discrimination, and to serve in the military. Marriage is constantly evolving. Wives are now equal partners rather than subordinates; interracial marriage is now widely accepted; and marital failure itself, rather than the fault of either partner, can be grounds for divorce (Stoddard 32). With all these changes, wouldn't it be accurate to say that the legalization and recognition of same-sex marriages is the next step? Marriage is more than a commitment to love one another. “Aside from societal and religious conventions, marriage involves legally imposed financial responsibility and legally permitted financial benefits. Marriage provides automatic legal protections to the spouse, including medical visits, inheritance of the deceased spouse's property, and pension and other rights” (Stoddard 4...... middle of paper .... .. because there is no law stating that it is illegal, but 48 states, all except Vermont and Hawaii, will not recognize same-sex marriage. If a gay person is a US citizen, they should have the same rights. that all other citizens, regardless of sexual orientation and lesbians deserve the right to marry, not be discriminated against and to be in the military. It seems fair to deprive all. homosexuals what they rightly deserve? References Jackson, Benjamin “Anti-homosexual Crime Pages 1-2.” Mason, Margie. “Census Figures on Same-Sex Couples.” 1. www.speakout.com 8/8/01Nava, Michael and Robert Dawidoff. 1994. Stoddard, Thomas. “Gay marriage: legalize them”. Pages 31-52. Bedford Books. Boston. 1996