Since the beginning of time, Homo sapiens has discriminated against people with differences such as skin color, religion, politics, and more. Over the years, society has changed to accept these differences, yet Americans continue to ostracize the gay community as if they are less than human. One specific controversy regarding gays currently comes to mind, and that is gay marriage. Controversies surrounding gay marriage include the legal, religious, and philosophical issues that would cause gay marriage to be allowed. The United States does not currently recognize gay unions as legal marriages, and so when gay partners claim a tax refund both partners must mark the relationship type as single. Although the United States at the federal level does not allow same-sex marriages, states such as Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, Washington, Iowa, New York and New Hampshire allow such marriages and even more states recognize civil unions such as Illinois California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii , Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin. With these states paying more attention to gay marriage, debate over this right has come to the forefront of the 2012 presidential campaign. The definition of marriage is traditionally between one man and one woman, which is why anti-gay marriage groups are protesting against the concept of marriage of two men or two women. Research shows that those who oppose gay marriage have used the costs associated with the benefits as well as religious and secular philosophical concerns as their flawed platform points. When the opposition cites their platform, the legal aspect, including money, is one of the points. The opposition cites a study done in New York……middle of paper…….PinkNews, March 7, 2012. Web. May 15, 2012. "Homosexuality and Buddhism". - Religious facts. ReligionsFacts. Network. May 15, 2012.Leviticus. Leviticus Chapter 18. King James Bible Online, 2012. Web. May 16, 2012. Mustanski, Brian. "The Sexual Continuum". Why not allow gay marriage? Sussex Directories, Inc., November 28, 2008. Web. May 15, 2012.Peters, Jeremy W. “Would Gay Marriage Help the State Economy?” City Hall. NYtimes.com, March 26, 2009. Web. May 15, 2012. Sterling, Toby. “The Global View of Gay Marriage.” CBSNews. CBS Interactive, December 5, 2007. Web. May 15, 2012."Suicide Prevention." Suicide warning signs. The Trevor Project. Network. 15 May 2012."The Catholic Church, Homosexuality and Gay Marriage." The Catholic Church, homosexuality and gay marriage. Catholic News Service. Network. May 15 2012.