I have given a lot of thought to this issue. I am a Christian and am opposed to same-sex marriage, but I am also an American, and I value the over-riding principle of liberty this country was founded upon. As a liberty loving American I cannot, in good conscience, force people to adhere to my religious beliefs, nor do I expect them to do so of their own accord. If the government isn't going to get out of the marriage business altogether, (by changing all marriages to "legal unions") then anyone who wishes to be married to another person cannot have that right infringed upon. We are a nation of laws, and the 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection, which includes marriage w/o distinction to the race/gender of the couple.