"I believe there is no reasonable legal or ethical basis for a secular pluralistic state like Australia to oppose gay marriage."

Legally, for a start, marriage fails to be consummated should same sex partners attempt to enter into a marriage. Sexual coupling by penis in anus or dildo in vagina is dysfunctional by any definition.

A same sex marriage fails ethically, as an outside agent such as a surrogate or sperm donor would be required to make reproduction possible

Dear Raycom,

<<Legally, for a start, marriage fails to be consummated>>

It's the first time I ever hear of the term "consummation" to be mentioned in legislation: could you please point me where it is and how it applies?

Also, perhaps you may know, does the law refer to "sexual coupling" at all?
What then of an elderly couple who no longer has the ability and/or inclination to engage in sex?

In any case, it is wrong for the state and its laws to have anything to do with marriage and/or [consensual-]sex. As I mentioned above, the state of Australia does not currently oppose gay marriage - it merely does not provide that service. Hopefully it will cease providing heterosexual-marriage services as well and leave it as a private matter for individuals, their churches (or other voluntary bodies for those not interested in a religious wedding), families and friends.

Bazz:

<Don't worry, they will die out.>

...No Bazz, they will not unfortunately; heterosexuals keep on breeding more of them: It’s a curse!

Yuyutsu

Grounds for annulment of a marriage include failure to consummate the marriage by heterosexual sexual relations. By definition, sexual coupling by same-sex partners is not heterosexual.

Australian marriage law does not provide for, and consequently rules out, socalled gay marriage. Under Australian law, marriage is between a man and a woman.

It is illogical to argue that socalled gay marriage is equal to heterosexual marriage.

Consummate :
Sexual intercourse, Complete or Fulfil, Complete
Absolutly no mention of only hetrosexual involvement in Consummate.
Raycom, fail must try harder!!

Dear Raycom,

Thank you for the information - I truly wasn't aware that annulment exists in Australian legislation.

Marriage is a sacred religious affair and so the state should keep its filthy hands right out of it.