Traditionally, marriage is one arena where states have all but plenary power; it took until 1967 for the Supreme Court to tell states they could not prohibit interracial marriage.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Marriage has been defined by every legislature that has ever sat in the United States from every State, now 50 States, the same way, but now we have unelected judges altering and changing that fundamental institution.
Marriage has historically been in the domain of the States to regulate.
Defining marriage is a power that should be left to the states. Moreover, no state should be forced to recognize a marriage that is not within its own laws, Constitution, and legal precedents.
I do believe that the states have the right to make the definition of marriage, and each state can define it as they so choose through their elected representatives.
Interracial marriages were basically legalized, but nevertheless, there was a social stigma attached to them for a long time to come. I imagine that's going to be true for same-sex marriages - that people's emotional comfort level with it will not fully materialize for decades.
There are more than 30 states, who either by statute or constitutional amendment, have defined marriage as being between a man and a woman.
The very idea of marriage is basic to recognition as equals in our society; any status short of that is inferior, unjust, and unconstitutional.
Marriage is a unique cultural relationship that has a long-standing tradition and societal meaning, which should not be redefined by the courts.
The definition of marriage cannot be disputed. It's right there in black and white and it's been the same since the start of Wikipedia.
The United States Supreme Court has repeatedly held that marriage is one of the most fundamental rights that we have as Americans under our Constitution.