[CoffeeSaint]

Quote by: Dirty Name The state's legal recognition of marriage is reserved for those couples who, at some point in their lives, either had, have, or will have the potential to procreate.

I do not have the potential to procreate. The fact that I had the potential to procreate has nothing whatsoever to do with my marriage. I will not have the potential to procreate at any time in the future -- my wife doesn't have a uterus. Real tough to carry an embryo to term in your pocket.

The state defines "potential to procreate" as any couple comprised of a male and a female (with age and relational restrictions).

You will allow "age and relational restrictions," but you will not allow gender restirctions. This is a contradiction. You arbitrarily choose to allow me to marry, because I once had the potential to procreate, but you will not allow gay couples to marry. Why not? they have as much ability as I do to procreate, just not with each other. I have the ability to procreate, just not with my wife. But since we are talking about marriage here, the only relationship that matters is the one between myself and my wife. That one will not produce children. Any further distinction you try to make based on biological ability is beside the point, as it is not germane to my marriage. By your standard, why couldn't two four-year-olds get married? They "will have" the potential to procreate.

Further, the state wishes to codify these unions as soon as they are formed, to strengthen them long before the stress and upheaval of child-rearing enters their relationship.

But my marriage will not produce children. Why should the state worry about the stresses that having children will put on my marriage?

Please keep in mind that your particular relationship is the exception to the rule – an extremely rare case. Governments can’t possibly create a perfect solution – it can only hope to get the best possible outcomes. Your relationship is one of the few that slip through the cracks.

I have to go to work now, so I will have to reply to the rest of your points later -- rest assured, I will reply to them, so please do not point out things I haven't responded to. As for saying my marriage is an "extremely rare" case, you have no idea what you are talking about, in my opinion; give me some proof of this, please.
As for saying my marriage slipped through the cracks, fuck you sideways.