OK Cassie, My .02. This is not the major issue in most peoples eyes. I will address my thoughts and am not afraid of bashing. Obama should be your choice if this is as important to you as most liberal gays. I have gay friends and understand their feelings. I believe gays have the same rights to "marriage benefits" as a married heterosexual couples. I do not believe being gay is a choice. I think it a strong genetic natural occurance that should be addressed. My friends son was obviously "different" at a very young age. Boy oh boy, could that kid sing, dance, act, write, explore and show feeling. We love him and wanted him to be who he is. He was born with a genetic make up unlike heterosexual boys. We all saw this, acknowledged his feeling different as he got older and gave him the support and love every human being deserves. He is now a well adjusted man in a relationship united with his partner by civil union. They don't feel they need to have the "married" title, even though they are "married" legally by civil union. Another son was "disowned" by family. I told them my feelings. In time they have accepted and now have open arms and minds. If my kids were gay I would love them no less!! Personally, I really don't care if gays could marry, it is their right to live their lifes as they want with the same rights afforded to the hetero population. Calling it a civil union would just shut the bigots up, hopefully. Some catholic priests were hiding their sexuality behind a robe. I think if people had been more open minded in past generations (forever!)priests would not have had to resort to hiding their sexuality behind a robe in a closet. THINGS ARE CHANGING!!!! Being gay does NOT make you any less a human with feelings than being heterosexual. You are as human as I. NO MORE CLOSETS!!! Unfortunately, many don't have my opinion. Now you need to teach me and let me know your feelings on this please. Will this world ever evolve into a humanitarian world? I pray it does. Your thoughts? RR