I think it is a very touchy issue period, and, yes, to some extent do agree with you, Tre that a lot of folk in general just don't take marriage seriously & yes, I do think that's a real shame.
The thing is, if someone comes to me and tells me that he's married to his monkey, I'm just not going to waste the time, money, and energy necessary to tell him that he's not allowed to be married to the monkey and that he's not allowed to
say he's married to his monkey.
BUT, if two people are living together as domestic partners, they absolutely should be entitled to the same tax benefits as any other married couple. And if the domestic partners want to call the relationship a 'marriage', so be it.
If a man and wife truly love one another and honor and respect their marriage, then what others do in their homes or marriages IN NO WAY takes away from what they (the first couple) are living for. I may not be a religious person, but I do believe in happiness and its pursuit and I respect (and envy) those who achieve it in their homes.
If we're not going to allow them the tax benefits of married couples, then we need to change the tax code to make it fair for all people.