Not one of those issues you raise about traditional marriage are addressed by extending it to include SS couples.

That is a complete red herring. My post was a response to the specious claim that TRADITIONAL marriage has served us well, etc. It hasn't. If you want to make points about the effectiveness of other arrangements, fine. All I would say in that context about gay marriage is that the campaigns to bring it in have largely been predicated on achieving greater equality. I should think that would make for a good start.