Foxy,
How does name changes apply to same sex who both keep their birth name, or one the name of her children's father for the children's sake?
Why are we talking about divorce? Are same sex couples intending to divorce?
How are same sex couples involved in a persons genealogy? They are not both the genes of any child.

Marriage is not the certificate, the certificate is a State registration of the fact of the reality of marriage between a husband and wife has taken place. Marriage is not even the celebration or feast that usually takes place. The real game is the daily commitment of a life together as husband and wife, registrations and celebrations are not marriage.

You said, "The Marriage Certificate serves several purposes.
It may be required as evidence of change of a party's name,
during divorce proceedings, or as part of a genealogical
history to name just a few".

Josephus, I have been following my own ancestry tree for many years now.
If you are only looking for ancestors or living relatives who 'provide parts of the gene pool' then what do we do with second marriages after one spouse dies or divorces?

Do we just leave that 'unrelated' stepfather or mother off our tree?
How about adopted relatives? There aren't any familiar genes there either.

What does it matter what second names they all may have?
I have had many problems looking up some ancestors from the 1800's because I found one guy who must have had some kiddies out of wedlock too!

So you see it happens whether it is gay couples or whoever.
It all just adds to the fun of genealogy.

I am just relieved that hopefully there will now be far fewer gay people trying to live a life of lies, and denying the sexuality they were born with. Because marrying someone of the opposite sex when you aren't attracted to them at all, must be a tragedy for all involved.

Suse,

"I am just relieved that hopefully there will now be far fewer gay people trying to live a life of lies, and denying the sexuality they were born with. Because marrying someone of the opposite sex when you aren't attracted to them at all, must be a tragedy for all involved."

Never truer words were spoken (even if they're written!)

Those cases are the real tragedies of feeling/needing to hide one's sexuality.

Suse,

"Not at all Is Mise....Toni can prove my point any time he/she likes!
[He can't prove other than that an inaccuracy was inaccurate]

You, on the other hand, have not really addressed any of our comments at all....[other than to point out as above]

Do You think Jesus, or any God at all, personally condemned homosexual people?
[again, you confuse me, do you think that Jesus was God?]

If not, why is the suggestion of gay marriage so awful to some religious people?
[because they consider that it demeans the institution of marriage; they believe that it is indeed an abomination in the eyes of God; that it is unnatural etc., etc.--take your pick.]

If they believe in what human Bible story writers wrote 2000 years ago, why do they not still stone all adulterers, or the many other fun stories held in the Bible?
[probably because State law forbids them to do as thy may well believe that they should, in some parts of the world these things still go on. Islam, in particular, still decrees death for homosexual acts]

Dear Josephus,

I responded to your question of why the state would
register same sex couples.

As for discussing the meaning of marriage.
I see no point in doing so with you.
You have a closed mind on the subject.

The people of this country will eventually decide
what they want. As they did in Ireland, and are
doing elsewhere.

For me this discussion has now run its course.

Note: Jesus welcomed adulterers John 8 [Mary Magdalene], thieves [Matthew a tax collector for Rome], and murderers [Saul murdered Christians on conversion named Paul] into his followers; however they were converted to follow his example of purity, generosity and compassion. Among the Gentile converts were persons who were former homosexuals but were converted to a life of purity. Jesus did not stone adulterers, cut off the hands of thieves, or put to death murderers. The only condemnation he made was to those that offended children, and rebuking Rome for carrying on taxing and exchanging animals for profit at the temple. Homosexual must convert to be considered following God and his laws and design.

It is a pity that the sexuality that homosexuals are actually born with is denied for an emotional attachment of same sex. They can have close friends of the same sex but they are not marriage partners. To call such marriage demeans the exclusive relationship of a man and woman.