Don't forget there are two issues at hand - religious marriage (for those who do it) and legal marriage.
I think religious marriage does belong to the people - the congregation should have a say in the theologic policy of their churches.
Note, just joined FR today and first post sounds like is lost and may be looking for DU - just make a hard left and you will find it.
However, the issue is not about marriage but normalcy and acceptance.
It is certainly about time that homosexual and lesbian individuals began taking responsibility for their own feelings.
It is evident that "they" are searching to find someone else to blame for the lack of perfection in their own narrow lives. Maybe it’s time for homosexuals and lesbians who "feel” so isolated to act grown up and do what other adults do when they "feel” bad. Look at yourself first.
If homosexuals and lesbians are so miserable as some seem to describe in these MSM articles, one would think that it might occur to them to ask if maybe they need to make some changes in their own lives.
However,who can believe that if the laws on marriage change, homosexuals and lesbians will suddenly "feel” better? I doubt that. You cannot be at peace with others until you are at peace with yourself.
Perhaps some homosexuals and lesbians are not so happy with their lifestyles as they have been told that they should be. And, for those homosexuals and lesbians who are not at ease with their own choice, no act of marriage or civil union will ever make them "feel” better.
Those who have move to "Greener pastures" in search of happiness often discover that despite new surroundings they are just as miserable as they were in the old place.
-note subtle message that follows: ANY MARRIAGE!