How much hatred and discrimination would it be to follow someone because of their preference for love? Same-sex couples fall in love only to realize they aren't "meant" to be together. These couples cannot even enjoy daily activities that other couples take for granted. Many same-sex couples face discrimination because they don't fit what others consider the social norm. The religion that many Americans believe in is Catholic. The broad outlines of the Catholic religion are referenced throughout the Bible; Nowhere in the Bible does it say that same-sex marriage is acceptable. This is why many religious minorities believe that marriage is only acceptable between a man and a woman. If America prides itself on being the land of freedom and hope, anyone who is truly in love should get married whenever they want. If all marriages were treated equally, America could live up to being the land of the free. By denying same-sex unions, America is violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Therefore, denying same-sex couples the right to marry is unconstitutional. Many same-sex marriages will actually last longer than marriages between heterosexual couples because it is much more difficult for them to get married in the first place. In fact, a recent study in Vermont over a three-year period found that marriages were very successful for same-sex couples. Homosexual participants were compared to heterosexual participants and same-sex couples actually reported better relationship quality, greater compatibility, greater intimacy, and lower levels of conflict after being unionized (“Sexual Orientation Across lifetime "). Marriage actually caused these couples to be in the middle of paper......: Henry Holt and Company, 2004. Print. “Same-sex marriage laws.” Same-sex marriage laws. Np, March 6, 2014. Web. May 1, 2014. “Same-sex Marriage Laws.” Same-sex marriage laws. Np, March 6, 2014. Web. May 1, 2014. .Stone, Geoffrey. “Judges now recognize that anti-gay marriage laws are irrational.” The daily beast. Np, April 3, 2014. Web. April 13, 2014. “The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription.” National Archives and Archives Administration. Administration of National Archives and Archives, July 4, 1776. Web. May 2 2014. .