Same-sex marriage is a very controversial topic that has persisted in America for some time now. American society prides itself on providing equal rights and opportunities to all, yet homosexuals continue to be discriminated against and denied their right to marry. It is often believed that “marriage is a commitment between two people who love each other and want to share the rest of their lives side by side. It is not measured by whether it is a man and a woman, or a same-sex couple. It is measured by how much a couple loves and cares for each other." (Cheney, 2009) Looking at this definition of marriage, there should never be any reason to deny two people who love each other the right to legally express it .by marrying each other. Furthermore, the founding fathers of this great nation made it clear that every American should never be denied their natural rights and liberties, which they inherited upon entering this world, are life. freedom and the pursuit of happiness. When same-sex marriage is denied; someone's freedom to do what they want is disrupted, which in turn limits their pursuit of happiness. Marriage itself should be protected from right to privacy as much as heterosexual marriage is, because after all, whether you are heterosexual or homosexual, what matters about marriage is the desire to spend the rest of your life with the person you love. Marriage rights are fundamental human rights. Giving marriage rights to homosexuals, without judging them and without excluding them from the institution of marriage, simply means accepting their human rights. It is often thought that a heterosexual couple is more "right" than a homosexual couple, but this is not the case. Halfway through the article... icle=4510&context=flrEpstein, R. A. (2002, January 1). Freedom, equality and privacy: choosing a legal foundation for gay rights. . Retrieved April 28, 2014, from http://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2228&context=journal_articlesDavis, d. (2010, April 21). Same-sex marriage: Everyone should have the right to love. The paw print. Retrieved April 29, 2014, from http://blogs.adams.edu/thepawprint/same-sex-marriage-everyone-should-have-the-right-to-love/Held, j. (2007, January 1). Gay marriage, liberalism and recognition: the case of equal treatment. Academia.edu. Retrieved May 3, 2014, from http://www.academia.edu/265815/Gay_Marriage_Liberalism_and_Recognition_The_Case_for_Equal_TreatmentCheney, p. (n.d.). Sociology 1010. Chapter 05. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from http://freebooks.uvu.edu/SOC1200/index.php/ch05-love-and-intimacy.html