Why do so many people care about same-sex marriage?

Same reason that non white people got involved in the civil rights struggle: when 1 person or group is treated differently from everyone else, can be harrassed, killed, denied marriage equality because of WHO they are, that's not fair. When 1 group of law abiding, tax paying citizens who are living their lives are denied the rights to federal marriage benefits, serve in the military without fear of being kicked out just for being found out to be gay, or denied housing/employment just because they're gay, that's not fair. An injustice against a few is an injustic against all.

It's not a witchhunt. People just can't wrap their heads around why the marriage of 2 consenting adults who comply with their states regs on marriage can't get the benefits of marriage that hetero couples get at a state AND federal level. And that's why this non issue has become such a hot button issue.

Until the government gets out of this semantics mess of the word "marriage" & issuing marriage licenses for a civil OR religious ceremony, the issue over same sex marriage will continue to be a hot button issue. But since the government makes no distinction over a religious or civil marriage, I will continue to fight for equality for same sex couples who are married or in any other state sanctioned union so they can get the same federal benefits as a heterosexual couple.

Separate but equal is neither.

Quite frankly, I am openly lesbian and would like to be able to marry if I find a person I feel is suitable. But, even if I were not lesbian at all I would support gay marriage. First of all, limiting anyone's ability to marry can lead to a drain on the State, financially speaking. Spouses are economically responsible for eachother's debts during the marriage. If two people of the same sex do not marry, but still live together and have the benefit of eachother's support, creditors and the state should be able to claim and tax those benefits. The state (and the feds) lose a whole lot of money by not being able to tax these couples the way married people are taxed. Also, the state is stuck paying for the health care of one member of a couple who does not have insurance and must resort to public welfare when they are injured or sick. Creditors cannot go after the "spouse" of a gay couple when one defaults on a loan. It is economically sensible to allow gay marriage.

I've always wondered that (building on what you said), i don't understand why the Christain community is so against gay marriage when their bible is really encouraging them to get homosexuality criminalised rather than protesting against gay marriage.

It's probably because, as a minority group, gay people don't have a chance at convincing 90% of the population that we are equal and should be treated as so if we don't have members of that majority group on our side. Basically, what i'm saying is that those people campaigning on our side have a moral conscience (of course my opinion is biased because of my life ...).

It could also be because these straight people have realised that the integrity of America's claim to freedom has been compromised by the ban on gay marriage. Obviously the largest argument against it is the religious one and the US not only has freedom of religion but a separation of church and state and, therefore, the issue of gay marriage should not be considered with religious values in mind, which it is.

Also, believe it or not, many, many straight people know family members and friends who are gay and have seen first hand how unfair and painful it can be for two people to be trampled by the right wing majority (whose lives aren't affected by our relationships). It's called the "tyranny of the majority" and most minority groups have been affected by it at one point or another.

Christians who have gotten involved are obviously involved because they feel passionately about forcing others to live under the rules of their religion (which is understandable given that they believe the world's salvation relies on it).

Everybody is involved in the issue because it involves the values of most people.

And comparing the reaction to the Holocaust is a bit extreme. The ban on gay marriage is an injustice and a violation of people's freedom and rights and that pisses people off a lot.

I agree that it's odd. Though I can quite understand why straight people might feel very angry, and might campaign, about the fact that gay couples CAN'T get married. This is a clear injustice, rather similar to those laws that prohibited interracial marriage. Seeing nonsense on the law books of your country is galling.

What strikes me as odd is the reaction of people who are opposed to gay marriage. What do they really think will happen if gay people get married? Why do they care?

I think that perhaps it's because they like having something other people don't, and they're afraid of losing that privilege.

As a homosexual and christian: Christians believe (as if I) that the marriage is meant for man and woman, not for two persons of the same sex. That's why they fight for is. Also because the say (based on the bible) that homosexuality is wrong. I say they interoperate the texts the wrong way and don't ever mention the context when it comes out the way they want to.

Where i life, gay marriage is allowed. I'm not pro but neither anti gay marriage. I'm neutral, when gay friends of mine will marriage i will come to their wedding. But i wont marriage myself.

@Dr. Joe. Matthew 7:1a: “Judge not, that ye be not judged” Hope it says enough.

It's an equality issue. America, as a nation, is supposed to represent tolerance and equality. Some people want to take a stand for that even if it doesn't directly affect them.

Many people who weren't in interracial relationships wanted legalized interracial marriage back in the day, even when people were quoting scripture against that as well.

There are also several countries where same sex marriage is already legal.

that's because there are more straight people then gay people. It would never become legal if straight people who care about it don't speak up. If somethings wrong you speak up against it, that's the problem with our society. It may not affect you today, but maybe it will tommorrow.

Wow, they should buy a life that's all. I'm in Argentina and that's is not such a big thing, gay marriage is allowed here.

If people are persecuting homosexuals today, they could be persecuting me tomorrow. Everyone has to understand that discrimination and denial of equal rights is immoral.

Same reason why white people were so up in arms when black people began to sit in at restaurants they "werent allowed" simply because of the color of their skin..

it's all because of fear and ignorance