Most Americans know instinctively that marital relationships between men and women count as more consequential, more beneficial to society, than even the most loving connections between couples of the same gender. Those same-sex partnerships shouldn’t be banned or derided, but they shouldn’t be equated with traditional marriage, either.

Heterosexual unions derive their incomparable energy by uniting two partners across this vast male-female divide—a gap far larger and more elemental than any differences of race, class, education, ideology or age.  The power of unifying males and females is reflected in their unique ability to produce offspring—rather than pro-creative ability by itself conferring distinctive significance on man woman-couples.  Even childless partnerships between males and females bring together contrasting gender outlooks and roles in a manner that deserves the sponsorship and encouragement of organized society.