Homosexuality seems to be one of many "hotbutton" issues in this country and I am at a loss as to why. Certainly people are afraid of homosexuality. It is seen as a "decay" of the moral fiber of this nation, but the truth be told, homosexuality was here long before this country came along and it will most likely be around long after all of the people arguing about it have turned to dust. Why argue about things that just are? Whether we ever discover the whys, whatfors, or reasons, there are adult humans who find the same gender sexually attractive. Denying them the basic rights against discrimination and denying them the right to be married legally is not going to change this basic fact. Pretending the "problem" doesn't exist is not a way to solve anything. The moral indignation of people who apparently don't understand the depth and breadth possible within the boundless realm of love is baffling to say the least.
Marriage is conceived as a "holy bond" between a man and a woman by religion. If religion chooses to define marriage this way, it is their choice to do so. They are private organizations with requirements for membership. The government is not such an organization. We are born into this country free citizens. We have certain agreed upon responsibilities to our country in exchange for certain agreed upon freedoms. Most of the laws on the books today are there for the benefit of the lawmakers, not the citizens. The simple fact is that the government has no business defining marriage, determining what love is or isn't, and in general sitting in judgement of two people who wish to make a lifelong commitment to each other.
The only reason I can fathom for the government's stance on this issue is that there are large corporations and Federal institutions which stand to lose money if homosexual marriage is sanctioned by the state. Social Security benefits, "automatic" spousal benefits (granted by both state and Federal law), medical insurance benefits, IRS benefits, are all different for married couples than they are for "lifelong partners." To make these changes would negatively impact the financial system and thus it is in the best interests of the corporations, Federal Government, and the Church to unite and oppose this issue on multiple fronts. They can use the general fear of homosexuality as a "smokescreen" to hide the true purpose of keeping certain monies and benefits out of the hands of homosexual spouses. It is a very sad situation if this is true.
I am not a homosexual, but I have spent my life not "fitting in" with the status quo. I have been ridiculed; I know what it is like to be an outcast in many social situations. I have learned to appreciate being different on the merit that I am not a puppet, nor a parrot. I am free to find my own way in this world and what a liberating feeling that is. I no longer regret my situation, but I do feel a strong sympathy for those who are in a similar situation. I feel it necessary to point out that it has always been the people who "march to the beat of a different drummer" who have made a true difference in this world, not those who blindly follow the crowd.