The NAACP has called gay marriage “one of the key struggles of our time.” According to the website “ProCon.org,” as of January 6, 2014, 17 states have taken the plunge and legalized same-sex marriage. Marriage is “one of the fundamental civil rights of man”. However, we are still waiting for 66% of our nation to do the right thing and legalize gay marriage. The ban on gay marriage has deprived gays, lesbians and bisexuals of many benefits that come from marriage. Furthermore, it has been shown that banning gay marriage has created an increase in psychological disorders, it has also been shown that legalizing same-sex marriage can bring economic benefits to states and, finally, legalizing gay marriage makes it easier adoption for same-sex couples. Something must be done, that is, legalize same-sex marriage. There should no longer be a ban on gay marriage. If gay marriage were legal, gays, lesbians, and bisexuals would not be deprived of the many benefits that come with being married. When you get married you automatically get a multitude of benefits. According to the Facts on File article “Gay Rights,” there are many benefits that gays don't get because they can't get married. Gay couples cannot visit each other in hospital or prison. They cannot refuse to testify against their significant other in court. They also do not receive the social security and tax benefits that come with being a married couple. If someone in the relationship works, the other person will not receive health insurance through the other's job. This is very unfair; Health insurance is an extremely important thing to have. Furthermore, gay couples do not even have the right to sue for the wrongful death of their (Gay) partner. If all that wasn't enough, people of the same sex...... middle of paper ......heb. February 4, 2014. .Graff, E.J. “What's Next?” Newsweek. September 27, 2013: 1. Researcher on SIRS issues. Network. 06 February 2014.ProCon.org. “Gay Marriage ProCon.org” ProCon.org. February 5, 2014. Web. February 6, 2014. Bilger, Audrey. “The State(s) of Same-Sex Marriage.” Miss. Autumn 2010: 12-13. SIRS Problem Researcher. Network. 06 February 2014. Klein, Ezra. “Sorry, Justice Scalia: There is no evidence that gay parents do not make excellent parents.” WashingtonPost.com. Network. March 27, 2013.Pawelski, James. MS "The effects of marriage, civil union and domestic partnership laws on the health and well-being of children" Web. Pediatrics. July 2006.Gartrell, Nanette. MD. Bos, Henry. PhD. “US National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study: Psychological Adjustment of Adolescents Age 17” Pediatrics. Network. 07 Jul. 2010.