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My Opinion on #1:
Don't get me wrong. I come from a conservative family. May of my family members are LDS, Catholic, or Baptist, but, I'm pro for some for change. The bible never says anything against homosexual relationships and we should love thy neighbor. In fact most of the bible is edited and we are being lied to because it's not the full truth. I do feel offended when people use the bible in an argument that is based on mostly lies. There is also the saying that 'do unto others as you want others to do unto you'.
Also saying that. We support the constitution by being American citizens. Hence we believe in separation of church and state. You should not be using religion as a reason to vote no on equal rights. Now if you think it's just gross. That's fine. You have a reason to vote no on it. We also believe in equal rights.
Now for the more personal side. I do know a few people who are homosexual. They aren't bad guys. I trust them with my life than even the police. They are normal great people who only ask for represent. You may not agree, but, say 'hey I'm not pro-homosexual rights, but, I will help you when you need me. I'll keep an eye on your house when your gone if you do the same for me'. That's what they only want.

I agree too Usa. If we judge people more than being careful aren't we acting as god and even then another commandment 'There is no other god before me'. We also learn that god loves his children.

I agree with separation of church and state, and the state has no place getting mixed in with marriages. That's where I think a lot of people get confused, or maybe I'm the confused one, but Marriage is something created under religion, a union between two people as defined by a God (or Gods). Therefore, each church or religion should have the right to say no to gay marriage but the state or government should stay the heck out of it. I support Gay unions and marriages under the religions that allow it. So would I say no to gay marriage in some situations? Yes. Catholicism states that marriage is the coupling of a man and a woman, so it makes sense that the Catholic church would refuse gay marriage. Do I agree with it, well kinda because it is their religion, but I don't like it. I realize some of this may be taken as heartless I'm still also figuring out where I stand on the issue. As new problems arise I tend to shift my focus so please continue discussing!

Another thing to consider, is that marriages in Ancient Rome weren't religious, per-say, but still asked for the blessing of certain gods. The marriage ceremony was actually the "groom" stealing the "bride" from her father's house. He generally had help from a friend, or "best man", and the woman had an aide, or "maid of honor". That's why the father gives away his daughter at weddings as in those days the father would kill the groom in some cases if caught. Was any of that religious? No, but it wasn't a 'marriage' either, but a union that was then asked to be blessed by religion. So that's where I get hung up on unions vs marriage. I think homosexuals should be able to get unions and then have their union blessed by a willing member of whatever clergy (generally done as a wedding). So yeah... I think people (and myself) are getting too hung up on terminology.

Totally agree with you.

But here's a point I'm a little hazy on, in terms of what all the ruckus is about and partially because I don't know how exactly weddings work - Are most people against gays/lesbians having a wedding (in or out of church) or is it the idea of them being married and marriage being holy? Or is it both? What exactly is the big deal? All I've really heard is people want to protect the sanctity of marriage, but do they mean the ceremony or the state of being bound in matrimony?

Depends on the person or group I suppose, I have heard a bit of it, about keeping marriage between a man and a woman, because that's what god intended/wants. But then I've also heard about some people saying they don't want it because they say it's unnatural and should be frowned upon; or if they allow gays to get married, then they will start allowing people to marry other things; or gays will get special treatment; or something of the sort.

((Actually heard my dad freak out, saying if they allow gays to get married, then they will start letting people marry donkeys, and other animals. However he is a major retard.))