Why is it important for people in same-sex relationships that same-sex marriage be legalized? In the United States, there are only 14 states in which same-sex couples can get married. (Quin, Campbell) The truth is that those who are homosexual do not enjoy the same advantages as heterosexuals. Furthermore, they believe that it is their right to be who they are and to be equal to others. It is important to those in same-sex relationships that same-sex marriage is legal for several reasons. There are few states in which same-sex marriage is legal. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"?Get the original essay In 2004, 13 states held a vote on whether their constitutions should include a ban on same-sex marriage. (Quin, Campbell) The general reason for banning same-sex marriage is that the Christian Bible says that same-sex marriage is a sin. In Romans 1:24-27, the Bible says: Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God against a lie and that they instead worshiped and served the creature. than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. It is for this reason that God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women have exchanged natural relations for those contrary to nature, and men have also renounced natural relations with women and have devoured themselves with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the just punishment of their error. This means that men sinned against God out of lust for one another and were punished. For Christians, this is not biblical. Anti-gay marriage groups often argue that allowing same-sex marriage, which goes against the teachings of many churches, constitutes an obstacle to religious freedom. (Gay Marriage Debate) Other anti-gay marriage groups argue that gay marriage increases divorce rates. Research from the latest census, as well as studies from the Centers for Disease Control's National Vital Statistics System, show that states that allow same-sex marriage have lower divorce rates. Of the eight states that allow same-sex marriage, five of them have the lowest divorce rates in the United States. Data from 2009 showed an average divorce rate of 41.2 percent, while states that did not allow same-sex marriage had an average divorce rate of 53.2 percent, not including Nevada. Nevada skews the statistics because it has many out-of-state weddings in Las Vegas. (Gay Marriage Debate) This statistic provides evidence that the accusation made by an anti-gay marriage group that same-sex marriage increases divorce rates is false. In the eyes of most gay people, there is nothing wrong with their sexuality. Whether they are right or wrong, their reasons for believing this are correct. They believe that ending the ban on same-sex marriage would further integrate gay culture into an open society. (Gay Marriage Debate) And gay couples face a host of prejudices, including the assumption that gay men and lesbians are promiscuous and incapable of maintaining a committed relationship. But the most pressing problem for gay people, besides not being able to marry the person they love, is that same-sex couples do not enjoy the benefits of marriage that.