The responses here have been very much where I would have gone.
Marriage is already defined, and soundly so. That means that marriage is not an option for gays unless they chose a partner of the opposite gender.
One reason taxes are lower for married couples is because there would be an added burden for a family if the taxes remained the same as for a single person. So, married couples pay a greater tax than a single person, but the combination is less as a couple. I don't think there is "preferencial treatment" I think there is fair adjustment.
So Say I'm living with my friend "Friend" and we share a home (no not married just as friends)
He makes $25,000/year
I make $55,000/year
Now you have a Wife and a Husband who live together in their home with no children.
He makes $25,000/year
She makes $55,000/year
How is it fair that they get taxed at a lower rate on their combined income of $80,000 than either "Friend" or I would get taxed as individuals making a combined $80,000? How is that inequitable treatment by the government, under the tax code, Fair when we make the combined same amount but because they are married they have a lower tax burden?
Also, how is it an "added" burden if they are required to pay the same tax rates on their incomes as unmmaried individuals...i believe the added burden gets placed on the single people under our current setup.
I want my equal rights to a lower tax rate that is equal to theirs .
Common law marriage?
Umm why can't same sexes living together become common law marriage after a period of time? Not all opposite sex people living together have sex.
Not all states recognize CL marriage. Then you'd have the problem of long time roomates suddenly finding themselves entangled in a marriage they didnt expect.
We could address some of the legitimate problems of homosexual couples through partnership laws.
But they don't want that. Which tells me they aren't interested in solving problems but in pushing their gay agenda. And fuck that.