I am neither in support or against and haven't spent much time listening to the arguments from either camp.  However as someone who has been in a long term 20+ years heterosexual relationship, and is not and has no plans to get married.  What is the big deal either way.  Is there a financial or tax benefit to marriage or is this more about needed to have a relationship recognised?  I have three kids with my misses, a mortgage and all the baggage than any married couple has and as my common law or defacto she is entitled anyway.  So what am I missing here ?