On Monday, Oct. 21, New Jersey joined the other 14 states and the District of Columbia in recognizing legal, economic and social equality for same-sex couples by legalizing same-sex marriage. However, 14 states are not enough. Currently, 38 states legally define marriage as the union between a man and a woman, discriminating against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. Although the United States government does formally recognize marriage as the union of two consenting citizens, states are not required to recognize same-sex unions from other jurisdictions, which is a potential violation of Article IV of the United States Constitution.

However, I am optimistic about the future of marriage equality in the United States. A poll conducted by The Washington Post and ABC News in March found that 58 percent of respondents support marriage equality. The same poll found that nearly a third of those who currently support marriage equality used to oppose it but had since changed their minds. Sixty five percent of younger voters, defined as those under the age of 30, support marriage equality-and that number is only growing.

There are several states that are seemingly on the cusp of guaranteeing marriage equality to all their citizens. Legislation is currently making its way through the state house in Illinois, where Governor Pat Quinn has stated he will sign the bill. In Pennsylvania, groups of same-sex couples have sued for marriage equality and Attorney General Kathleen Kane has openly stated she will not defend the state's ban.

But by far the most promising state, and the most interesting state, for marriage equality is New Mexico. New Mexico is the only state in the country to not have a specific statute regarding the legality of same-sex marriage. As a result of the lack of clarity, clerks on the county can determine if they give marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Currently, eight counties, representing nearly 60 percent of the New Mexico population, give out marriage licenses to same-sex couples. In addition, two cases, on opposing sides of the issue, are working through the state's court systems. One case, brought forth by Republican officials, would block clerks from giving same-sex couples marriage licenses. The other, more traditional case has been brought by a group of same-sex couples in the wake of the Supreme Court's Defense of Marraige Act ruling. Governor Susana Martinez, a Republican up for a tough re-election bid in 2014, has not stated her position on the issue.

But, like the other states to recognize marriage equality, New Mexico is a more liberal state. These more progressive states will surely legalize same-sex marriage on their own volition. Other more conservative states will not.

There are those who say same-sex marriage should be a state issue, and I vehemently disagree. All one has to do is look back to the American South before the Brown v. Board of Education decision or the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to see how some states choose to handle civil rights issues. While I'm not saying that the issue of marriage equality and civil rights are the same, there are certainly parallels. I do think it is troubling at best to assume that every single state, especially ones with a history of discriminating against certain minority groups, will willingly allow same-sex couples the same rights as straight couples. Not to name names or point fingers, but much of the South has not had a good record on civil rights issues, be it for racial or sexual minorities. Simply put, marriage is a civil rights issue, and history has shown that states cannot always be trusted to give civil rights to minority citizens.

It is all well and good to say you support same-sex marriage being a state issue, as opposed to a federal mandate, but unless you support it at the national level, you are still advocating that states should have the opportunity to discriminate against those who are LGBTQ.

This is where the problem lies. There's nothing wrong with states like California, New York, Vermont or Minnesota legalizing same-sex marriage; in fact, it is what's right. But what about couples who do not live in these states, who have jobs and homes and families in states that clearly are not going to legalize same-sex marriage? Or members of the armed forces, who may be in long-term relationships but cannot marry because of where they are stationed.

Obviously, marriage equality is not the only issue facing the LGBTQ community, nor is it the most pressing issue. Look no further than violence and bullying, the high rates of homeless LGBTQ youth and legal discrimination against the trans communities in many states such as Texas, Illinois and Florida.

However, marriage is an institution in the United States. Some say it is religious, others say it is historical or cultural-but I personally believe it goes beyond that. At its core, marriage is a declaration of love, of not imagining being with anyone else. Nobody should get different tax benefits, visitation or adoption and custody laws just because of who they love.
It is not enough to watch liberal states legalize same-sex marriage while conservative states only make it harder for certain citizens. If we as a country truly value equality, and 58 percent of the country does, we should legalize same-sex marriage on a national level and give same-sex couples the same protections that any straight couple deeply in love enough to get married receive.