Ultimately it seems like the Federal Govt shouldn't be involved whatsoever. My interpretation of the whole thing is the States are supposed to handle marriage, this is clear from the 10th Amendment. However, given its the State's job to issue marriage licenses and the States are ultimately governed by the Constitution, then the 14th Amendment would dictate that if you issue marriage licenses at all it has to be to everybody (ie, "equal protection of the law").
That would be my take on it, short version: constitution says if you're gonna issue them, it has to be to everyone equally.
i agree that marriage should be a state issue, and that if a state (or any other local jurisdiction such as county, town, etc, for that matter) does choose to issue marriage licenses, they have to do it to everyone equally.
my only objection is that if it were a state issue, that could hurt those in the armed forces. certain benefits come with being married and they are not going to ever go away, and currently DOMA prohibits equality on a federal level for troops that are now serving as openly gay.
so the message i am getting is that it is OK to serve if you are openly gay, just don't expect us to treat you the same as an openly heterosexual couple.
now that i am not a mod, i will stick it to the paulistas here and mention that ronald supports DOMA, while obama has rendered it impotent. another reason you paulbots would do well to switch to a truly liberal libertarian like GJ.
end point: this is barely if at all a state issue, and almost wholly a federal issue.
Pick who ever you want, just like a disney movie.
