The United States Supreme Court has ruled that the Constitution guarantees the right to same-sex marriage. Yet same-sex marriage continues to be a highly controversial issue that leaves our society searching for answers. This was very evident during the election when politicians, in order to distract or influence conservative voters, all took sides and had an opinion on the issue of same-sex marriage. The debate was presented on the left as a debate about civil rights, equal rights. And on the right, as a moral debate, a referendum on homosexuality (Rauch, J. 2004). Everyone has an opinion on whether two men or two women should be allowed to marry and, in doing so, enjoy the same rights afforded to them by the federal government that are afforded to more "traditional" couples. I believe that gay, lesbian and transgender couples should enjoy the same privileges as any other citizen, including the choice of marriage. Choosing and denying certain rights to any person based on their sexual orientation, just like race, ethnicity or religious origin, constitutes discrimination. Additionally, religious views on homosexuality should have no effect on our laws. By conservative estimates, there are probably around ten million gays and lesbians in the United States. And they will be there. They will have relationships and have children no matter what we do in our laws and no matter what the courts say. And the question of whether gay and lesbian couples should have an equal right to marry under our state laws – we're talking about state laws here, we're not talking about private religious organizations. (Wolff, 2005) In the past, marriage was something everyone was expected to do. ...... middle of paper ...... arc 8). Hollywood: a world of wonders. Inalienable rites? Gay marriage before the courts (March 25, 2005). Rare Knowledge with Peter Robinson [Radio News Program].http://www.hoover.org/multimedia/uk/2934426.htmlLoving c. Virginia, 388 US 1 (1967) Masci, D. (May 21, 2009). A clash of rights? Gay marriage and free exercise of religion. http://pewforum.org/events/?EventID=216Masci, D. (July 9, 2009). Public opinion on same-sex marriage: opponents consistently outnumber supporters. http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=424Rauch, J. (April 1, 2004). Can gay marriage strengthen the American family? [Brookings Briefing].http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/events/2004/0401children%20%20%20families/20040401.pdfStrasser, PM (1999). The Challenge of Same-Sex Marriage: Federalist Principles and Constitutional Protections. Westport: Preager Publisher.