A defect is defined in genetics as anything that is detrimental to the survival of a species. I'd say the inability (or rather, unwillingness) to reproduce is an obvious hindrance to the survival of any species.

To everyone else, except Odlov, who brought up some good points on the fiscal and social benefits of marriage, take love and affection out of the equation and then formulate a decent argument.

@Odlov,

While it's true that denying certain benefits to people based on something as seemingly arbitrary seems "unethical", think of it as a negative incentive of something that society as a whole still very much frowns upon. And for whoever mentioned the unconstitutionality of anti-homosexual laws, do you really think the law treats everyone equally? As much as some would like to think that the law views everything objectively and treats everyone with a general demeanour of egalitarianism, if everyone was equal in all respects, there wouldn't really be much of a need for those laws in the first place, would there?

There are methods that gay couples can reproduce, through surrogacy and in-vitro methods. But, if it's a genetic defect, then wouldn't you prefer advocating adoption rather than methods which might have a higher chance of passing it on?


What parts of society, exactly? And how numerous are they compared to people who honestly don't mind gays?

And America will keep frowning upon homosexuality until the law gives homosexuals equal civil rights. Public opinion is largely shaped by law. Until the law changes, bigots will use it as justification (and fuel), much like they use 'sacred texts' for the same purpose.

Redneck: "Faggot marriage is illegal cuz it's a perversion, nd California law and GOD agrees wit me"

The whole purpose of "social development" thing is to minimize suffering and maximize efficiency. There is no serious drawback to letting gays marry, while not doing so would simply isolate a group and create unrest and hinder efficiency. From your posts it seems you think homosexuality is a strain of flu virus, that will just spread to everyone who grows up around gays. Clearly it's nonsense. Homosexuals are a minority, yet they were always present, even in societies who wouldn't even recognize that such thing existed (Soviet Union, for example). Hardwired sexual orientation > societal influence, always.