As we all know, marriage equality is an issue that is very prevalent in the U.S. today.  Just today, Alabama became the 37th state to allow gay marriage.  I think it’s about time that the majority of states recognize same-sex marriage as a legal union, and I urge the other states that haven’t to follow suit.  Same-sex couples want to get married for the same reasons anyone else would want to, including sharing their love and lives together.  Love is such a rare gift in a time where the divorce rate is hovering right around 50%, that I feel that we should allow and encourage marriage in loving relationships.  There are also many practical benefits to being legally married that same-sex couples are denied, such as the right to make medical decisions, access to health care and pensions, and the right to be treated as an economic unit in terms of filing joint tax returns and insurance.  In regards to raising a family in a same-sex couple, there are no documented negative results of being raised in a same-sex home.  In today’s society same-sex couples are becoming more and more prevalent and are becoming more and more accepted.  A growing majority of today’s society accepts and supports same-sex couples so I don’t see any reason for them not to be granted the right to wed as well.  Not allowing marriage equality is another form of discrimination, which our country has taken a stand against.  If marriage is a right given to some, it should be given to all that wish to have it.