I have previously written at length about the Social Security Disability system. More than two million people rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and hundreds of thousands of them had to wait months or even years for the benefits to begin. Many are still waiting today. In every one of the stories that have I have written on the topic, the applicant in question has been fortunate enough to receive their first benefit check. The story usually involves a long wait, but a triumphant ending, in which finally the Social Security Administration recognizes the applicant's need, and provides the support that it is obligated to provide. The idea has been to provide some glimmer of hope to those who are in a similar situation. However, I fear that by following that formula, I may have given a false impression. The fact is, the system through which determinations about disability benefits are made is badly broken, sometimes with tragic results.

Same sex marriage is legally protected under Federal law in the United States. A string of court decisions in the 1960’s and 1970’s set such precedents that the federal and state recognition of same-sex marriage became a foregone conclusion. The only problem is, so far no Federal court has yet acknowledged this fact.

To a certain degree the problem is old-fashioned bigotry. However, I believe that the argument in favor of marriage equality has yet to be put to the court in the most convincing way, and that once it is, the cause will see a great deal more success in courtrooms around the country, including even the High Court.

The argument for same-sex marriage falls most clearly under the Equal Protection clause of the 14th amendment. To give a bit of background, the 14th amendment was passed in the wake of the Civil War. Despite its language that is inclusive of all people, the legislative intent behind the amendment was specifically to protect newly freed slave men, and to ensure that they had the same rights as white men.