Since the beginning of time, our country has struggled with the issue of equal rights in one way or another. Whether it is women's rights, racial segregation or, more currently, the equal rights of those whose sexual orientation is different from that considered normal by the vast majority of the population. However, the reality is that all people deserve to be treated equally. This country was founded on the idea that individuals are equal and for that reason we should all who call this great nation home have the same rights. I believe it is our job, as a growing nation, to ensure safety and acceptance for all, and in doing so ensure equal rights, for all individuals in this country, including those who wish to participate in a same-sex marriage. For decades homosexuality has been something that has been despised and many have vilified homosexuals as immoral and depraved and have condemned same-sex marriage as an attack on the principles of God. The rights of these individuals have been stripped from them, they are been discriminated against and forced to feel ashamed of being exactly who they are. This needs to change, these individuals are no different to anyone else, they want to love, be loved, get married and have children, just like the rest of us do. Before 1996 and the enactment of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act), federal programs left the definition of "marriage" to the states. If a couple were legally married in that state, they would benefit federally, because at that time if a couple were married from the state, they would also be married under federal law. Since the enactment of DOMA, the individual State is still the deciding factor in approving gay marriage for that State, however, now there... in the middle of the card... they recruit them and inflict another form of racism towards them. . The time to change is now; This country is ready for change now. We all deserve to be treated equally and we all deserve the right love for who we want to love. Works Cited Grossman, Gary. “Position paper on gay marriage”. American Psychoanalytic Association.(2007): n.pag. Network. November 21, 2011Newport, Frank. "For the first time, a majority of Americans support legal gay marriage; Republicans and older Americans remain opposed." Gallup Polling News Service (2011). Gale Opposing views in context. Network. November 28, 2011.Paige, RU “Sexual orientation and marriage”. American Psychological Association.(2004) n.pag. Network. November 21, 2011 Stone, Geoffrey R. "The Defense of Marriage Act is Unconstitutional." Huffington Post (2010). Gale Opposing views in context. July 20, 2010. Web. November 28. 2011.