This may not be what you wanted to hear right now, but I am confused, and hungering for some help to a situation that I have been at odds with for eight years. I want to join a support group,but I haven't been able to face anyone and be honest with the situation at hand. The right to marry is a basic right for everyone. The very constitution this country was built around and the bill of rights written to ensure that religion nor state be allowed to deny anyone the right to happiness. In my opinion this issue is very important and needs to be addressed accordingly.
Domestic partnership is a step but only half-way.
When I commit to my partner on November 18th,2000 I do not only want it to be a holy union between two people I would like it to be a legal marriage. They shoulded have to worry about all of the rights involved and all the extra privilages. I feel that if heterosexuals are allowed to marry , homosexuals should be able to also. I do not think a domestic partnership system is enough, though it may have to be a stepping stone to the ultimate goal of equality. Legalized same sex marriage is not a terribly important issue to me, primarily because all of my life experience has been with heterosexual couples and my own situation has not yet put me into the position of needing to formulate a strong opinion on the matter.