Final answer:
Supporters of legalized gay marriage argue it's a fundamental right, citing historical precedents for changes to laws and noting the economic benefits from legal marriage like social security and medical insurance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Supporters of legalized gay marriage advocate for it based on several values. One of the primary arguments is that legal marriage is a fundamental right that should not be denied to anyone based on sexual orientation. This position is bolstered by the historical precedent of changes to marriage laws, such as the legalization of interracial marriages in the 1960s. Additionally, there is an economic dimension to the argument for same-sex marriage. Advocates point out that legal marriage confers certain financial entitlements, such as Social Security benefits and medical insurance, which are unjustly denied to gay couples when marriage is restricted to heterosexual unions.
The 2015 Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges affirmed that states must grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples and recognize such marriages performed in other states, reflecting a shift towards broader civil rights. Despite legal victories, the issue remains divisive, with some opposing same-sex marriage on religious or ideological grounds.