[robertpaulsen]

"Face it, there is no principle that a State can prohibit marriage of any type."

Prohibit in the sense of "not recognize". And yes, the state can choose not to recognize marriage, homosexual or heterosexual.

[tpaine]

If the question was, "can the state ban marriage", and every state prohibited marriage, -- would you two be content with the fact that constitutional principles were followed?

yes, the state can choose not to recognize marriage, homosexual or heterosexual.

Yep, the State should choose to reasonably regulate the civil aspects of marriage, [childrearing, inheritance, etc.] and choose to ignore the consensual sexual aspects, seeing they have no powers in that area.

Face it, there is no principle that a State can prohibit marriage of any type.

No 'power to prohibit' has ever been delegated to any level of government in the USA.
-- Reasonably regulate, yes. -- Prohibit, no

Prohibit in the sense of "not recognize".

Government has no delegated power to regulate the consensual sexual aspects of marriage. Best that they ignore it.