Different meaning of independence

http://www.mlive.com/news/saginawnews/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1214403612187420.xml&coll=9
6/25/2008

"On July 4, our nation celebrates its independence. As members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, we, too, can join in the celebration.

Our community always has been independent of the laws and benefits concerning marriage. Although we now have some states in which marriage or civil unions are legalized, most of us are still without legal recognition as couples. That fact has made us more independent. We have suffered for it, but we also have gained."

Our community always has been independent of the laws and benefits concerning marriage

Other than lower lawyer bills, I'm not sure what the downside was.