'Til death do they part

It's been three days since the first legal state-recognized gay marriages occurred, and Massachusetts hasn't fallen into the Atlantic Ocean, yet. Good news.\nFor many heterosexuals, it would be difficult to imagine ever being denied a wedding day. But for many homosexuals, a wedding day -- a day many never thought would legally arrive -- actually did occur Monday. Thousands of couples were allowed to apply for marriage licenses, putting the final stamp on their long-term relationships. \nMarriage, when it works, serves as a foundation for a family. It strengthens bonds and encourages responsibility. It is an opportunity to acquire and exhibit the personal character, honor, integrity and dignity all Americans should have a chance to attain.\nStill, not all approve. But it's one thing not to approve of their marriage and another to try and stop their marriages. Once again, we affirm our own commitment to allowing gay marriage, and our commitment to separating church and state. If congregations decide not to perform the services, that's their business, but we should not tolerate that separatism in state and federal law. \nSlowly but surely gay marriage will find acceptance and soon the modifier "gay" will no longer matter. As commentator Andrew Sullivan said: "(Monday was) the first time that civil marriage has stopped excluding homosexual members of our own families. These are not 'gay marriages.' They are marriages"