TIME... forty short years ago 0% of anybody supported gay marriage. (even gay people) what happened was a handful of activists made a good argument and were willing to keep making it until people started listening. Of the 57% 19% favor civil unions. That 19% will change their mind in our favor in time. They are already on their way. The 43% can be broken down this way: 10% for one reason or another hate us and will be protesting the abomination of gay marriage in 3009. 20% don’t care and will never care. This is a good thing because these people don’t vote. The remaining 13% we’ll split in half. I took civil unions off the table because they are a lame stopping over point before equality. Four years ago gay marriage was only legal in Massachusetts and only Vermont had civil unions. Imagine what will happen in another four! >>> TIIIIIME IS ON MY SIDE …YES IT IS!!!<<<

Homophobia

The right to marry is not just about the actual legal ceremony, but an equal right to the extensive list of legal protections awarded to married couples. These benefits given to legally married couples range from tax relief to medical decision making. Civil unions and domestic partnerships may seem like equal unions, but the protections they give to registered couples is often far less than that of marriage. Answer: So, why do we need gay marriage and not just civil unions? Here are a few reasons: Number of Legal Benefits: * Marriage: Over 1,049 federal and state level benefits * Civil Unions: Over 300 state level benefits. *No federal protection Tax Relief: * Marriage: Couples can file both federal and state tax returns jointly. * Civil Unions: Couples can only file jointly in the state of civil registration. Medical Decisions: * Marriage: Partners can make emergency medical decisions. * Civil Unions: Partners can only make medical decisions in the registered state. Partners may not be able to make decisions out of state. Gifts: * Marriage: Partners can transfer gifts to each other without tax penalty. * Civil Unions: Partners do not pay state taxes, but are required to report federal taxes. Death Benefits: * Marriage: In the case of a partner's death, the spouse receives any earned Social Security or veteran benefits. * Civil Unions: Partners do not receive Social Security or any other government benefits in case of death. In the case of the death of former Congressman Gerry Studds, his partner of 15 years was denied the government pension that would have gone to a legally recognized spouse. Child/Spousal Support: * Marriage: In case of divorce, individuals may have a legally-binding financial obligation to spouses and children. * Civil Unions: In the case of dissolution , no such spousal or child benefits are guaranteed or required out of state. Immigration Rights: * Marriage: U.S. citizens and legal residents can sponsor their spouses and family members for immigration. * Civil Unions: U.S. citizens and legal residents cannot sponsor non-legal spouses or family members.

The definition of the word marriage is the problem, and the other 43% is not going to vote for gay marriage....I think the gay rights activist should concentrate on getting the law changed for their benefit without choosing to use the word marriage....cause that is the wrong road to take....choose another direction for argument. Marriage is one of the basic religious view points, and it does not matter if anybody thinks it is wrong or right...a protest of that idea or foundation is not going to change anything.