I for one do not care how any rights are "obtained" as long as the same process is followed that was mandated by the constitution. And according to the constitution....the states and only the states have the right to define "legal" marriage, for it is sure is not mentioned in the constitution, and trying to declare sexual preference as a human right under any current amendment is a superfluous endeavor. For indeed no one needs to engage in the act of sex to continue one's life existence. And it cannot be considered racist due to the fact that homosexuality is not based upon any one culture nor race. And in consideration of "human rights" and race relations anyone that wants to "privately" engage in any legal activity they wish such as homosexual activity, they do not suffer in the least from racism nor lack of humanity concerns as they have "exactly" the same rights any other HUMAN has. Thus, unless they can lobby their individual states for the special right to engage in marriage and have it "redefined", they have no claim to any federal consideration as certainly "civil unions" would accomplish any legal cure for tax deduction or etc... Thus, I see no reason whatsoever to completely ignore the 10th Article of our Bill of Rights in the relief of federally mandated power. The constitution did not concern itself with marriage...why should the Federal Court system? What, are the States not capable of defining the will of its citizens in the form of elections? Or must "Big Brother" Government step in tell us exactly what we want? BD