They go on a romantic date; have dinner, perhaps a movie. Before they realize it, one date has turned into one year. After being together for such a long time, this couple realizes they want to spend the rest of their lives together. Cute story, huh? This particular story, however, does not have a "story book ending.".
It just so happens that the two people in this couple are of the same sex, and unless they live in Vermont or New York City, it will be impossible for this couple to make their union legal. Marriage has been a tradition in America for centuries, but no one had ever inquired about same sex marriages until recently. If a couple is in love with each other, they should be allowed to legally marry, no matter what their sexual preference may be.
Some might suggest that acceptance of same sex marriages may hurt the tradition of the marital institution. Some people claim that the marital union of gay and lesbian couples makes no sense because one of the historical underlying components of marriage is procreation; and because it is obvious that two people of the same sex cannot procreate, they should not marry. One may also say that the "only sexual relations designed to lead to procreation are morally acceptable and that marriage should be limited to those who engage in morally acceptable sexual relations" (Stanford). However, this view is becoming somewhat outdated.
We live in the 21st century, and traditions have changed. A lot of people who want to be married do so to make their love for each other official. Not all of these people are thinking about procreation and immorality. There are many heterosexual married couples who have decided not to have children; it is a personal choice. That personal choice, however, should not keep a couple from legal marriage. .
Not only is marriage an opportunity for a loving couple to show the world they are together, "The US Supreme Court has declared marriage a fundamental right under the Constitution" (now.