EmperorJulian:

“As a mainstream male I chose to marry an accepting mainstream female and was part of a mainstream family. I didn't have to have any of this approved by a plebiscite of other people with different life choices. It was nobody else's damn business but ours.”

It was also the government’s business. You made sure that the government was included in your business. You presumably have a certificate that says the government acknowledges your relationship as a marriage. Why did you involve the government in your business?

Why should same-sex couples want to involve the government in their business?

maricus,

How is the term, ‘same-sex marriage’, illogical?

phanto,

The answer to your question is easy.

<<Why should same-sex couples want to involve the government in their business?>>

Because they involve themselves in the business of opposite-sex marriage - with all the benefits that that entails - and deny same-sex couples the same opportunity/privilege for no good reason. It's discriminatory.

But we’ve already been through this before.

Hi there SAINTS...

I don't believe anyone in our community should be subjected to any physical harm or verbal abuse because of their life-style. As long as it's legal, and homosexuality between consenting males (by virtue of that, sodomy) is legal. However it doesn't diminish one iota, the risks they confront if they choose to engage in this perilous course of conduct, by unwittingly foraging through darkened parks and public places, seeking out like minded males.

Some have been found (rescued) inebriated, in order for them to achieve a form of 'dutch courage'. Often because they're new in town, or loneliness, fear of scandal, or to avoid their spouse or long term partners. Well I'm here to respectfully advocate, this type of behaviour can attract serious trouble just like radar, seeking out these poor buggers, many of them are not street wise, nor are they 'bullet proof'. You don't need to be a social worker to see how some of these incidences can sadly end?

Getting married is telling the world - people you know or will get to know - you're a committed couple. The government recognises this and a raft of legislation including benefits and obligations applies to you along with social expectations. This is all that couples of the same sex are asking for. It's no skin off my nose and I have zero respect for theocrats who want to make it skin off theirs. I resent being required to vote yes or no in a ridiculous plebiscite on others' right to marry and if it comes about I won't select yes or no but will write on the ballot paper "None of my #@$@&% business". I'd urge others to do likewise.

EmperorJulian:

“Getting married is telling the world - people you know or will get to know - you're a committed couple.”

Why would you need to do this? Why do you care so much about what others think of you?

“The government recognises this and a raft of legislation including benefits and obligations applies to you along with social expectations.”

The same raft of legislation including benefits and obligations applies to couples who are not married so why should there be a special category of ‘married’ couples if in the eyes of the government if they are the same?

What social expectations are you talking about? Why should society have any expectations of you as a couple that they do not already have of you as a single?

Minotaur

"Thanks for demonstrating you have absolutely no credibility Saints".

Thanks for the compliment.