[LiberationIT]

Hank,
I concur with much of your thinking, although its hard to concentrate given the thunderous roar of the vigorous bible thumping by the forgiving christians here.

Marriage is a contract between people and, requires no endorsement from a government, shaman or a deity. The problem is that government conveys benefits (e.g. tax treatment of gifts,) and penalties (marriage tax penalty,) upon certain marriages. Equal treatment under the law is a worthy pursuit usually supported by Republicans, certainly more so than by Democrats. Marriages recognized by the government only mean you need a license before you can marry and then the government has a say in how you conduct your marriage, or terminate it.

[Paloma_55]

Equal Protection?

Should we give equal protection to adulterers, liars, pedophiles, thieves, drug-abusers, polygamists and other forms of anti-social behavior?

Your argument is bogus. Despite the continued drum-pounding about a "gay gene", the simple fact is that there is no such thing. It is not a genetic predisposition that endows its victims with some form of civil right. It is a sexual behavior...a deviant one at that... and therefore deserves no such equal protection any more than any other form of anti-social behavior.

Regarding Bible thumping... I was disgusted by homos LONG before I became a Christian. You should become more "tolerant" of Christians and others who disagree with you.