prop 8... some unfinished thoughts....

Marriage is traditionally a religious ceremony in which a man and woman are joined in “holy matrimony” till death do they part. But today it has become a state institution from which benefits such as tax breaks, rights to visitation in hospitals, and the sharing of insurance can be obtained from the state.

The state, promises not to discriminate based on religion or sexual orientation. The state also shouldn't be discriminating against individuals who are ugly or bad lovers or just undateable and thus unable to find a partner...

What then separates a marriage from any romantic relationship? These days one can get a divorce if they are no longer happy, so there is no more till death do us part if we don’t want to. Many people have open marriages in which they are free to have other partners. Many couples are made up of two of the same sex. Some married couples even have a non-sexual arrangement. Atheists may get "married" by the state in a courthouse by a justice of the peace. So, what is marriage really these days?

Why does the state feel that it is beneficial to support “marriage”?

And why should that definition maintain its traditional context excluding same sex couples if it still allows for divorce, straight couples of alternative religions and non traditional arrangements?

To promote families for the rearing of children is the usual response to why the state should support matrimony.

But what about couples who are barren or do not wish to have children? Should they be required to adopt or else have the marriage annulled? Is there some other reason for getting "married" as opposed to just dating till death do us part? theres no reason a same sex couple couldnt adopt, and there is no evidence that they do any better or worse as parents.some try to argue that its a slippery slope to bestiality and man and pumpkin weddings. but lets slip down the other side of that slope, if the state can regulate based on gender what relationships are valid what is to stop them from passing anti-miscegenation laws (again) or regulating people of different educational backgrounds or income levels.

Same sex couples seeking to get married say it is to celebrate their love and declare their feelings and intentions to friends and family, not to mention to be able to share insurance and obtain tax benefits associated with a state recognized union. So what’s wrong with just accepting civil unions then? It’s a matter of not allowing the state to invalidate your lifestyle and your relationship with blatant discrimination; if the state recognizes any wedding, it should recognize same sex weddings.