If, as daen has suggested previously in this thread, gay men and women were given all the things married people were given, including but not limited to tax issues, just call it a civil union instead of using the term "marriage," would that do anything?

Probably not. (Yep, I'm cynical.)

It seems to me, and perhaps I'm just not seeing the whole picture even with reading every reporter's opinions, that this has turned into an argument over a word, and neither side wants to compromise anything. In fact, most of the debates I've heard on this have disintegrated into "I'm right, you're wrong, I don't wanna hear your points, you're a big stupid head!"

*sigh*

Side Note: I'm not taking sides, just wishing people would remain calm and civil while trying to discuss their opinions.