Why is it important for people in same-sex relationships that gay marriage be legalized? In the United States, there are only 14 states where gay couples can get married. (Quin, Campbell) The truth is that those who are homosexual do not receive the same benefits as heterosexuals. Furthermore, they believe that it is their right to be who they are and to be equal to everyone else. For those in same-sex relationships, it is important that gay marriage is legal for several reasons. There are few states where gay marriage is legal. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In 2004, 13 states launched ballot initiatives to decide whether their state constitutions should include a ban on gay marriage. (Quin, Campbell) The general reason for the ban on gay marriage is because the Christian Bible says that same-sex marriage is sin. In Romans 1:24-27 the Bible says: Therefore God gave them over to impurity according to the desires of their hearts, even to dishonouring their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served rather the creature. of the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God abandoned them to dishonorable passions. In fact, their women exchanged natural relationships for relationships contrary to nature, and the men also abandoned natural relationships with women and were consumed with passion for one another, committing shameful acts with men and receiving in themselves the due punishment for their mistake. This means that men sinned against God in lusting for one another and were punished. For Christians it is not biblical. Groups against gay marriage often argue that allowing gay marriage, which is against the teachings of many churches, is an obstacle to religious freedom. (Gay Marriage Debate) Other anti-gay marriage groups argue that gay marriage increases divorce rates. The most recent census research, along with studies from the Center for Disease Controls National Vital Statistics System, shows that states that allow gay marriage have lower divorce rates. Of the eight states that allow same-sex marriage, five have the lowest divorce rates in the United States. Data taken from 2009 showed that the average divorce rate was 41.2%, while states that did not allow same-sex marriage had an average divorce rate of 53.2%, not counting Nevada. Nevada skews the statistics because it holds so many out-of-state weddings in Las Vegas. (Gay Marriage Debate) This statistic provides evidence that the charge made by an anti-gay marriage group that same-sex marriage increases divorce rates is false. In the eyes of most homosexuals there is nothing wrong with their sexuality. However right or wrong they may be, their reasons for believing this are accurate. They believe that ending the ban on gay marriage would further integrate gay culture into an open society. (Gay Marriage Debate) And gay couples face a great deal of prejudice, including the assumption that gay men and lesbians are promiscuous and incapable of sustaining a committed relationship. But the most pressing problem for homosexuals, besides not being able to marry the person they love, is that gay couples lose the marriage benefits that heterosexuals receive. Gay couples lose medical benefits, life insurance, child support and tax benefits. Partners cannot make medical decisions outside of their own.