Bob Howe calls to my attention an op-ed by Bob Herbert in today's New York Times on the subject of gay marriage. A choice paragraph:

Bliss and bigotryThe opponents of gay marriage are on the wrong side of history. The interests of civilization are not served by driving mature love underground. And the interests of the United States, which is supposed to be the quintessence of a free society, are not served by enshrining bigotry in law.  [full article]

I still, after reading reams on the debate, fail to see why making the definitions of marriage and family more inclusive would devalue the institutions of marriage and family rather than strengthening them. By wanting to participate in them, aren't gays affirming the power and utility of those institutions?