[John O]

And if they really want to be careful, why did they use the word "sex" rather than "gender"? Gender is the more specific in this context. But instead they used "sex."

Because people do not have genders they have sexes. Words have meaning.

Edit means "to change". Excerpt means "to select a portion of"

So, yes, I WILL INDEED complain when OUR SIDE ADOPTS policies of destructive word games that reinforce and empower that tactic when the social deconstructionists and Marxists use it.

Good. then you will have no objection to using the correct word in this case (Excerpt) rather than the misleading and dishonest word (edit)

[bvw]

Let's answer your side question. What does 'gender' mean and how is that word used, and does it apply to marriage?

Source: {excerpted] http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/gender

GENDER NOUN:

1. A grammatical category ... that may be itrary or based on characteristics such as sex or animacy ...

2. Sexual identity, especially in relation to society or culture.
3. 1. The condition of being female or male; sex.
   2. Females or males considered as a group: expressions used by one gender.

Usage Note:

Traditionally, gender has been used primarily to refer to the grammatical categories of "masculine," "feminine," and "neuter," but in recent years the word has become well established in its use to refer to sex-based categories, as in phrases such as gender gap and the politics of gender. This usage is supported by the practice of many anthropologists, who reserve sex for reference to biological categories, while using gender to refer to social or cultural categories. According to this rule, one would say The effectiveness of the medication appears to depend on the sex (not gender) of the patient, but In peasant societies, gender (not sex) roles are likely to be more clearly defined.

Based on the usage note it is more proper to use 'persons of opposite gender' when referring to marriage as a social contract.

Hope that enlightens you!