Furious, enraged, and doubtlessly long rant. And getting all thoughtful eventually.

I imagine everyone's read it by now, but in case you haven't, here Bush opens mouth, world winces

Just make sure you have a bucket ready.

People have already said, far more eloquently than I ever could, how horribly unjust and bigoted this whole "declaration" is. No, I'm going to counter another argument - "why is marriage important?" why does it matter so much?

Well, even putting aside all the liberal issues, the want, need to be able to say to the world "this person is mine and I am his/hers!" even putting aside the stigmatism being unable to have our unions legitimised, there are some hard and fast practical, legal issues.

I'm a law student. Alright, I'm in England, and what I say may not apply to America (though I doubt it will diverge over much, and if it does not likely to be on the side of tolerance. If it does - well, give Bush and Ashcroft time.) Anyway, I study the law, I've done this for 4 years now, I am a solicitor, qualified to act as such. And believe me marriage COUNTS.

Here’s four (of many) examples (this post is getting long).

( Tax )

( Property )

( Inheritance )

( Medicine )

( And finally, a side note on the demon of divorce )