Gayle Force has a fine post that summarizes the legal history of marriage equality (including Loving v. Virginia) and a compelling personal story.

It’s in the unforseen situations that denial of full equality will stike the hardest. I have seen devoted same-sex couples struggle for recognition and legal protection when one was disabled or dying. I’ve seen partners whose relationship was apparent to everyone call themselves ‘friend’ for fear that someone on the medical staff would treat their lover badly if the truth were known.

I don’t know if we should be talking about keeping marriage sacred. In fact, it’s a very earthly condition. We wake up next to our spouse, share their habits and secrets, pay the bills together and wash the dishes.

Easing the stress of living together and raising children would do more to save marriage than making it exclusive to heterosexual couples. Because in the end, what happens at home is way more important than what the people next door are doing.

Since high unemployment puts stress on marriage I propose the Defense of Marriage people start there. Flex time for parents is another good idea. And some talk about values would be constructive. Love, respect and responsibility keep a marriage alive. But we already know that, and there’s no political lobby for decency right now.