The recent Olympic Games held in Sochi highlighted the injustices perpetrated against gay youth in Russia. In fact, many companies have come forward in their advertising to protest this, such as Google, Oreos, and Absolut Vodka. America seemed to be united against Russia's brutal treatment of homosexuals. Yet it remains a hypocritical demonstration, since America itself continues not to recognize homosexual rights. One of these most prominent examples is the ban on gay marriage in most states. This is wrong on many levels, but mostly because the arguments against legalizing gay marriage are narrow-minded and baseless. There are many reasons to legalize gay marriage. First, to do otherwise would be unconstitutional. There would also be an economic gain from the legalization of same-sex marriage. Furthermore, the popular claim that legalizing it would “ruin the foundation of traditional marriage” is completely unfounded and incorrect. As previously stated, banning gay marriage is completely unconstitutional. Often, when we talk about the concept of unconstitutionality, we take the side of those who are against gay marriage. They try to bring out 'freedom of belief'. This idea that religion should also impact the legalization process is nonsensical. As Nancy Cott, PhD, testified during Perry v. Schwarzenegger, "civil law has always been supreme in defining and regulating marriage." [1] The act of banning gay marriage itself is unconstitutional because same-sex marriage is "unconstitutional under both the due process and equal protection clauses," as written by U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker on August 4, 2010, on the Prop 8 issue in California. In fact, the United States Supreme Court ruled long ago… middle of paper… choose the side of the oppressor, vote today, and make your voice heard. 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 & Social Consequences of New Jersey's Civil Union Law,” www.nj.gov, December 10, 2008[6]Ross Douthat, “The Marriage Ideal,” 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 2019. 26, 2004