@Deduplicator: Like I said in my last comment, "I am against having Stack Exchange attach any sociopolitical message to my online brand without my permission." Since it seems no one is going to give me peace until I reveal my thoughts on "civil rights for homosexual Americans", I will say two things: First, I am against the federal government seizing control of the definition of marriage from the states, even if all three branches agreed, except through the amendment process. Second, the whole "hospital visitation" thing is compelling, and the fact that these rights are available outside — Ben Voigt Jun 27 at 17:57

of a marriage only by filing hundreds of legal documents is absurd and benefits only lawyers, who get paid for document preparation time. I am 100% in favor of a streamlined process for two adults of sound mind to agree to a partnership of mutual emotional and financial support that gives visitation rights, pensions, shared property, etc, etc. And the couple being involved in a sexual relationship should not be a requirement (as some domestic partnership forms evidently demand). Make it available to lovers, army buddies, parent/child, siblings, and everyone else. — Ben Voigt Jun 27 at 18:01