I believe that all children need a stable environment. I also think that it is a shame people do not take their vows seriously, that makes a mockery of marriage. I don't think that same sex marriage is mocking marriage, I don't see it as marriage considering the gender issue. I also don't see any equal rights violations since a same sex union can allow for such rights. To say it is separate but equal is also misconception. Separate but equal in the past is understandably wrong. To say a black man cannot marry any woman but could have a civil union would be separate but equal. The reason for this would be, any man any woman fall into the specifications for marriage no matter what race or religion, so that would be discrimination. The problem with this situation is the misconception of the details of a marriage. Everybody has equal rights, but to say equal rights are being denied is false, men and woman have the same individual rights no matter who they are, religion, race, or personal preferences. Marriage is a union between one man and one woman, the two men criteria would fall under the same sex union. Example , a man and a woman cant have a same sex union because they don't fit that criteria. I believe that any union no matter what type, that dedicates two people together especially for the protection of their children is extremely important. Since the relationships are themselves of a different nature, why would it not fall into a union of a different nature that recognizes that union with equal respect.