You've alluded to what I think most conservatives here don't get about this debate. They look around them, and they see only heterosexuals (they think) in their town, their workplace, their neighborhood, or their church. It's easy to get caught up in thinking that the rest of the world is pretty much like the people you know.
Out there in the cities, or in suburbia, a lot of people, liberal, conservative, and mushy middle, know gay people. Sure, they've seen the swishy drag queens, but they also know Henry down in accounting, who wonders whether the boss will freak if he brings a "guest" to the company picnic. They know they've never faced a problem bring their opposite sex spouses and dates to the picnic, so they feel a twinge of understanding with Henry.
Now, many of those people would not come to Henry's wedding, and might very well feel uncomfortable if Henry invited them, but if Henry wants to do this someday, they have a problem with amending the Constitution so that it can never happen. They know that someday, a lot of people are going to know a Henry, and it won't be such a big deal. So while they know that a lot of their friends, neighbors, and family are not ready for Henry, someday it might not be the case, and they really don't want an FMA to have to take down.
Besides, even if Henry makes them uncomfortable, the whole Amendment thing seems a bit mean spirited.
So, I suppose if you knew any polygamists, you would be apt to argue for their right to marry?
I know a young woman whose mother left her step-father for a "plural marriage." (This step-father, ironically, advocated polygamy.) Soon after, this girl "married" a man who seemed to be already married. She now seems to be in hiding, and I haven't seen her for years. I did see her mother on TV, though, on a story about polygamy about two years ago.
So long as you have never met any polygamists, as you are aware, you think it's not an issue. It's easy for you to be in denial that it exists. I can't enjoy such blissful ignorance, since I know we aren’t talking about some theoretical practice. The reality is there is no barrier to legalizing this form of marriage, particularly since it is believed in and practiced so strongly by its advocates.
#####the whole Amendment thing seems a bit mean spirited.#####
As opposed to arrogant, power mad judges telling the voters to go to hell. That's much nicer.
Why don't we just go ahead and scrap the Constitution, cancel future elections, and announce that from now on Margaret Marshall will rule the country as she sees fit. And don't anyone dare to disagree with her. It might appear mean spirited.