In many discourses, there is a need to focus on what the matter at hand is all about. This is certainly the case in regards to discussions of marriage.
The nature of “what is a marriage” is the important consideration in law and for the common good. This is an evidential phenomenon and not prejudicial. Marriage is the comprehensive relationship between one man and one woman. It follows sexuality in the complimentarily and anatomical function of the relation to being male and female. It follows scientifically from evolutionary biology in sexual dimorphism and reproduction to further the survival of the species. Marriage is a sociological and anthropological benefit to the common good of society. It is ordered to the good of spouses and the procreation and education of children.
The genetic, psychological, and affective emotional bonds for the healthy growth of children are intrinsically formed in heterosexual marital relationships. Children have the natural right to a mother and a father for their development and well-being as is uniquely ordered by that relationship. Marriage requires a woman and a man for it to be equitable in this way and beneficial to development in a family structure. Following from that, a well-developed family and social life is paramount for a well-developed society that contributes to the common good of all.
While anyone may have the right to be in a relationship with whomever they wish and to enter into legal contracts with whomever they wish, it does not follow that a person has a right to impose on society a redefinition of marriage to fit that relationship. Whatever that relationship may be, it is not the same thing as marriage. The desire for a person to do something, as opposed to a matter involving their own intrinsic dignity and tolerance as a person, does not make that desire a right in relation to the whole of society. In fact, one cannot alter the basic truth of marriage, but a society that attempts to do sob will, in time, harm itself.
Not all that glitters is gold and not all change is good. This is especially true of matters that are carrying the force of law from the state, which redefining legal marriage would carry. It is unjust to not draw a distinction between marriage and other forms of relationships. It will weaken the very nature of marriage, harm the common good and destroy the liberty of those attempting to uphold the value and truth of the marital relationship of one man and one woman. These truths are important for the common good as are evident in the laws of nature and easily verified not only by intelligent logical analysis but also through openness in observation and the experience of millennia of human history. One can thus know what marriage is and thereby, what it is not.