It is, in fact, the glue that holds society together and that forms communities out of what would otherwise be mere aggregations of individuals. The bond of marriage, civil and religious, makes public and eternal the commitment between two human beings. Especially in this time of rampant divorce and single-parent families, conservatives must constantly and consistently advocate the importance of marriage to the social order. And their enthusiasm should likewise extend to gay marriage. Indeed, the benefits of marriage would flow just as easily from gay marriages as from heterosexual ones.
Laws exist in part to tame and suppress the darker side of human nature.
Hence marriage laws would discourage promiscuity among homosexuals while cultivating mutual dependence and care among loving individuals. Moreover, just as heterosexuals derive great joy in seeing their relationships sanctioned and respected by society, so too would gays and lesbians be able to do the same. Opposition to gay marriage comes from a number of quarters. Chief among them is religious authority, which undoubtedly must be accorded respect and even deference. But it is important to remember that religious, even biblical, authority is exercised by fallible human beings.