Complete 5 pages APA formatted article: Gay Marriage Should Be Legalized. In spite of the existence of a range of arguments against, same-sex marriage should be legalized because it will expand the “opportunities for happiness for our neighbors, our colleagues, our friends, and our relatives” (Verma, Schoenleber, Douglas, and et al 7). In other words, same-sex marriage legalization will benefit the entire society as well as the state and will show that human rights are not just a mere phrase.

First and, perhaps, the most important reason why gay marriage should be legalized in the fact that marriage is an internationally recognized human right. More specifically, in accordance with Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution” (The United Nations). As it follows from Article 16, the right to marry is based on the non-discrimination principle. Today, the prohibition of same-sex marriage leads to discrimination against the LGBT community, which, in turn, violates human rights. In addition to this, the prohibition of gay marriage implies that discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation is normal in other spheres of life as well. Therefore, in order to prevent discrimination, gay marriage should be legalized and no one should be denied getting married and founding a family on grounds of their sexual orientation.

Secondly, marriage equality can have a beneficial effect on the health and well-being of couples. Due to discrimination, devaluation and prejudices based on their sexual orientation, LGBT people are more likely to experience negative health outcomes, including health problems with both physical and psychological health. In particular,&nbsp.LGBT individuals suffer from the so-called “minority stress”, which is defined as chronically high-stress levels experienced by members of minority groups that lead to poor physical and mental health (Buffie 986).