Reg,

To me it's simply an issue of fairness and one would hope that that is the route to changing the opinions of Americans. I'd sell it this way:

In an age when heterosexual couples can 1. meet on a reality television show and marry; 2. repeatedly marry/divorce/marry etc. 3. fall in love at first sight and marry instantly; and accrue all the rights and benefits of such a status...

a gay couple that has been together for many years can't marry and obtain the same benefits? It boggles the mind.

Some traditions, like slavery, the subjugation of women, child labor, have been recognized as being wrong and have largely been abandoned. Future generations will one day view the denial of equal rights to gays and lesbians in the same way. When this will occur is anyone's guess but I'll wager that if I don't see it in my lifetime my daughter will see it in hers. If Bill O'Reilly really made that comment about marrying a goat, shame on him for fanning the flames of ignorance!

Peter T.