I’m all for equality however I’ve discovered that marriage is not for me. I was free to marry whom I choose and did it five times. Ok, three of them died and it wasn’t the mushrooms but I would not get married again. It simply ties your finances to the government. If the issue — and it mostly is — automatic financial benefits to the partner upon the death of the other, I don’t care about that. I agree everyone should have equal opportunity to find out for themselves that marriage is not all it’s cracked up to be. NOTE:  If there are children involved, that can be another matter. Parent is at work and the child has to go to the hospital. Partner is in a coma and some treatment choices need to be made. Marriage confers automatic rights.