The recent Sochi Olympics highlighted the injustices committed against gay youth in Russia. In fact, many companies have come forward in their advertisements to protest this, such as Google, Oreos, and Absolut Vodka. America seemed to be united against Russia's brutal treatment of homosexuals. And yet, this remains a hypocritical demonstration, because America itself still does not grant rights to homosexuals. One of the most striking examples is the ban on same-sex marriage in the majority of states. This is wrong on many levels, but mainly because the arguments against legalizing same-sex marriage are narrow-minded and baseless. There are many reasons to legalize same-sex marriage. First, to do otherwise would be unconstitutional. Legalizing same-sex marriage would also bring economic benefits. Furthermore, the popular claim that legalizing it would “ruin the foundations of traditional marriage” is completely unfounded and incorrect. As previously stated, banning same-sex marriage is completely unconstitutional. Often, when the notion of unconstitutionality is raised, it is raised on the side of those who are against same-sex marriage. They try to evoke “freedom of belief”. This idea that religion should even impact the legalization process is insane. As Nancy Cott, PhD, testified in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, "civil law has always been supreme in defining and regulating marriage." [1] The act of banning same-sex marriage itself is unconstitutional because same-sex marriage is "unconstitutional under the due process and equal protection clauses," as U.S. District Judge Vaughn wrote Walker on August 4, 2010, on the issue of Prop. .8 in California. In fact, the United States Supreme Court already ruled a long time ago...... middle of paper...... choose the side of the oppressor, vote today and make your voice heard voice. Works Cited [1 & 2] Vaughn Walker, JD, Opinion, Perry v. Schwarzenneger, www.uscourts.gov, August 4, 2010[3] Kathryn Perry, “The Cost of Gay Marraige - In Dollars and Cents,” Christian Science Monitor, May 27, 2009[ 4] William C. Thompson, Jr., “Love Counts: The Economic Benefits of Marriage Equality for New York,” www.comptroller.nyc.gov, June 2007[5]J. Frank Vespa-Papaleo, et al., “The Legal, Medical, Economic, and Social Consequences of New Jersey's Civil Union Law,” www.nj.gov, December 10, 2008[6]Ross Douthat, “The ideal of marriage,” www.nytimes.com, August 8, 2010[7]Laura Langbein and Mark A. Yost, Jr., “Same-Sex Marriage and Negative Externalities,” Social Science Quarterly, June 2009[8]American Anthropological Association , “Statement on Marriage and Family,” www.aaanet.org, February. 26, 2004