Currently: In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States, the word “marriage” means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word “spouse” refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.
The above is the current definition of marriage within the United States of America.
The current definition effectively alienates nearly one tenth of the American population that cannot adhere to, nor benefit from, said policy due to inherent status as a non-heterosexual person.
Let us finally learn from the mistakes of the past, and allow all persons the right to marry whoever they love.