[MamaTexan]

But if you boil marriage down to its two secular fundamentals - issue and property, how will we in the future deal with the issue part?

That would probably be this part - Alternatively, couples could file affidavits of common law marriage.

An affidavit is a sworn Oath of Affirmation..basically you and your spouse write down that you consider yourselves man and wife, swear it before someone at the clerk's office, sign it and file a copy with the State.

What most people DON'T GET is that a 'license', of ANY kind, is legal permission. You're basically asking for the State's approval to do whatever action the license is FOR.
(That's where the progs get us on the issue - the State cannot discriminate, or 'disapprove', anyone who's a member of a protected class.

A common law marriage just basically means that your marriage is a matter of record in the State, and I see no reason the current protections and benefits wouldn't apply.

[ansel12]

That would probably be this part - Alternatively, couples could file affidavits of common law marriage.

Nine states have common law marriage, for it to be legal, it has to be legal, so what is the difference? In the rest of America

As far as not wanting the state to recognize your marriage, that was available 500 years ago, 200 years ago, in 1950, and today.
No one makes you seek out legal recognition for your relationship, so what are you people all talking about?