As the world evolves, so do all the people in it. The United States bases its constitution on equal rights and that all people should treat each other equally. Over the past two decades, the gay community has evolved from not being able to legally marry to a handful of states passing a law allowing same-sex marriage. Although laws are being passed to improve equality for homosexuals, the gay community still has a long way to go before being equal to the rest of society. The gay community has fought for many years over whether they can legally marry. in a courtroom. It has been a battle to get the states to approve the law that will take their relations to the next level. “The legal challenge to DOMA stems from a lawsuit brought by a New Yorker, Edith Windsor, who was hit with a $363,000 federal estate tax bill after the death of her wife in 2009” (Gay Rights). The same situation also happened, but only with a different-sex couple, the surviving spouse would have inherited it tax-free. Many heterosexuals believe that it was only intended for a man and a woman to marry and not women and vice versa. “Gay rights advocates are making significant progress in winning the right to marriage for same-sex couples in the United States and around the world, even though the overwhelming majority of states and countries still limit marriage to couples of the same sex. opposite sex” (Jost). Of the fifty states, about twelve and the District of Columbia have passed the gay rights bill; since then, a few more states have signed on to approve same-sex marriage. Once all fifty states approve same-sex marriage law, the gay community will be one step closer to being as equal as the rest of the population... middle of paper ...... under the microscope and looked with a fine-toothed comb. Only now are they finally getting what they deserve, on an equal footing with the rest of society; they are progressing slowly but not to the point of satisfying the gay community. The gay community is dedicated to the fight for equality and they will not stop until they achieve their goal of living a normal life, just like the rest of society. Works Cited Clemmitt, Marcia. “Ethics of Reproduction.” CQ Researcher May 15, 2009: 449-72. Internet. November 13, 2013. “Gay Rights.” CQ Researcher June 28, 2013. Web. November 13, 2013. (Classification cited in Jost). “Gays on Campus.” CQ Researcher October 1, 2004: 805-28. Internet. November 13, 2013. Karaim, Reed. “Gay Rights.” CQ Global Researcher March 1, 2011: 107-32. Internet. November 13, 2013.Katel, Peter. “Gays in the Army.” CQ Researcher September 18, 2009: 765-88. Internet. November 13. 2013.