Marriage is one of those "powers not ennumerated" that are left to individual states and localities to regulate. That's what is so BS about DOMA. The federal government has no jurisdiction over marriage except for recognition of a different sex marriage for the purposes of tax breaks, etc.

My partner and I will probably get civilly unionized in NJ at some point. But, we don't need it for anyone but ourselves. There are a lot of very good arguments against having gay marriages that have been put-forward by gay people. The best one, imo, is that marriage is about people 'plaiting troth' with one another. A personal committment to each other's lives. How does a government, or a church for that matter, sanction or not sanction an oath made by two or more parties to hold fast to one another?

Besides, since same-sex marriage (and each state would probably define it somewhat differently) is not recognized by the Feds, the tax-break advantage and inheritance-tax advantage and social security survivor's benefits advantage doesn't even add that weight to the positives for same-sex marriages.

Pat Boone is an aged moron who was indoctrinated into his Church of Christ molding from birth. His morality I am certain draws the immorality line somewhere on the other side of encouraging and commending hatred and loathing for others different than he is. That, imo, is immoral.

Nichole

Marriage also imparts certain rights but it all has to do with money and property.  For example it's pretty damn tough to disinherit a spouse in the absence of a pre-nup.  A spouse also has rights to pensions and Soc. Sec. in the event of divorce.  It creates a more formal property distribution scheme.  As you know, it's much harder to get out of.

A spouse also has decision making privileges in the event of catastrophic health problems, i.e Terry Chiavo.  During the AIDS crises in the 80s partners could be barred from visitation by religious parents.