A
aclausen
Guest
I think the state retains an interest in marriage, particularly in the civil aspects revolving around estates, medical and economic issues. But it has no business granting one particular group a monopoly on decreeing what is a legitimate marriage, simply because that group proclaims “We know what God thinks.”The behaviour of other species would seem to be irrelevant. The State agrees and does not offer them marriage licenses.
The corollary of your remarks seems to be that all manner if arrangements should attract State recognition and endorsement and be called 'marriage". Or perhaps none?