"The United States is the only wealthy, industrialized nation that does not have a universal health care system." - Wikipedia.

This is the issue that I believe takes this beyond just a political statement amongst the gay community in the U.S. It's not a concern in Europe or Canada, but here a couple must be legally married to be able to have the right to be covered by their partner's health insurance. If a woman wants to stay home and raise the children, she has that option because she will be covered by her husband's health insurance. A gay couple does not have that option. Insurance premiums are incredibly expensive, so, without the luxury of having somebody else pay for your insurance, you must work at a company that offers health insurance, or you go without.

I think this may make it difficult for others outside of this country to comprehend. Universal healthcare (whether your country's is good or bad) is something that is taken for granted. (This is just a generalization, I know there are lots of problems in some countries). From the age of 17, I have never once considered taking a job that did not offer comprehensive healthcare (of which I always paid a portion, plus deductibles, co-pays, etc. - the coverage was never free). Now here I am, 36 years later, and since October 31st, I am one of the Americans who has no health care of any kind. None. Zippo.

A gay person here could have a job that provides insurance coverage, while his/her partner could quit their job to be a stay-at-home parent, an artist, a writer, any job that doesn't provide insurance. But that partner would not be able to be covered by the other's health insurance. Married people in this country have that option, and have taken advantage of it for as long as the option has existed. That option is denied to gay couples until the laws are changed.

I think it's really sad.