Imagine being a young girl or boy, you're with your friends and the talk moves onto what you want to do when you grow up. Many of the responses are likely to be, "I want to get married." But imagine being that child and knowing that you can't because you're gay.
In 2012, it is time that this notion changed and couples that want to marry and affirm that rite, can do so no matter what their sex is.
With the consultation into same-sex marriage opening in the coming weeks, has come a much anticipated torrent of criticism from clerical and political opponents.
People like me and bang on about how the law needs to change so that anyone can get married if they want to. But without public backing and pressure, we might never see any change.
So it was great that the Times came out to support gay marriage in its editorial. It said that reforming marriage so that same-sex marriage can take place would be just and wise. And that it would enrich the institution of marriage and expand the hum of happiness. You can't really argue with that.
What is the different between watching a man and a woman marry, or a woman and a woman? They are your friends, family - the people that you love. And all they want to do is show their love for each other. What is so wrong in that?
In the same week, Barbara Ellen wrote a column in the Observer claiming that "it is none of our business who is gay or not." I completely agree with her, none of us have the right to know. And it shouldn't be a rite of passage for celebrities to come out.
But without big names - such as newspapers and celebrities - openly saying that they are for gay marriage, will we see anything change.
There are certainly a lot of speakers who will stand up and say that they are against gay marriage. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams still claims that changing the law to allow for gay marriage would force unwanted change onto the rest of society.
I am not sure who is going to get harmed from a same-sex marriage. The only people it will affect will be those that can get married, legally.
Society has changed and we aren't living in the same country that discriminates against gay people anywhere near as much as it once did. Gay relationships are a part of everyday national life. Civil partnerships have been introduced and as a result have liberated people, allowing same-sex marriage will aid social cohesion.
And when you look at the research, the economy would benefit as well. When this debate occurred in California in 2008, research showed that same sex marriage could bring $700 million to the wedding industry in the state and pump almost $65 million in new revenue over three years. And in Massachusetts, while their wasn't a boom in economic prosperity, after five years of introducing same-sex marriage there had been a significant contribution. It doesn't take a scientist to work out that allowing more marriages means more money.
If we want to prove that we love, honour and obey everyone no matter who they love, same-sex marriage is vital in changing thoughts, opinions and an institution locked into ideas of the past. But we need more people to openly support it and drive the campaign. Otherwise we will continue to wipe a rite of passage from people's eyes day in and out.