May I add a question to your opeing post? Exactly how will same-sex marriage benefit society, children, etc.? For what reasons should it be allowed?
One more question, should I be allowed to marry my brother? Why? Why not?
Good questions, ShandaLear.
I would initially answer this way.
I believe that America needs all her sons and daughters.
I believe that our destiny as a country is to demonstrate how good and decent people can live and prosper together and do so irrespective of race, religion, gender, wealth, or sexual preference.
It is never easy to expand freedom to those categories of people we may fear or dislike. And there will always be Americans who use that fear and dislike to attempt to convince us to not live up to our ideals.
I believe that our society and our children benefit by learning that a free society respects and values ALL of its members----including those who happen to fall in love with someone of the same sex.