What would it be like to be deeply in love with someone, but to be looked down upon by society and not allowed to marry ? It sounds like a terrible nightmare, but for many members of the LGBT community, this is what happens in everyday life. Imagine having to keep love a secret for fear of being emotionally and physically bullied or even thrown out on the street. It's certainly a horrible thought, but what's worse is that this unnecessary discrimination happens on a daily basis. We must act! The U.S. government must legalize same-sex marriage to help take the first step toward ending discrimination against people who cause absolutely no harm. Despite popular belief, same-sex couples are not inferior to their heterosexual counterparts. Like heterosexuals, many homosexual people want to build long and fulfilling relationships. In fact, researchers have found that gay people actually stay in relationships, with the majority having been together for more than ten years ("Your Questions Answered..."). So, in reality, the long-held stereotype of promiscuity within the LGBT community doesn't really make sense. Stereotypes, rumors and discrimination against homosexuals do far more harm than today's society actually knows. Discrimination has long been a huge problem for the LGBT community. It seems a bit obvious to point out that anyone who is bullied on a daily basis is more likely to be depressed than someone who isn't. Psychologists fear that this stigma surrounding different sexualities may harm the mental development of children and adolescents. For example, several studies have documented a higher risk of suicide attempts among adolescents and young adults...... middle of paper ...... did you know he would not be domesticated by his husband ? If homosexuals experience the same love as everyone else, then there is no reason why they should not be domesticated through marriage. So every detail of this issue highlights the fact that the government must legalize same-sex marriage to help end the pain. and the suffering of homosexual couples and their families. Just legalizing this will be a very powerful step towards equality in this country. Every couple deserves to be able to love each other and be free to marry and be happy. That's called freedom, and freedom is what this country is supposed to be. So maybe one day this nightmare will be over. Perhaps American citizens will win the fight for “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for all, even for same-sex couples seeking equal rights...