Gay marriages... dictated by religious authorities

[Peter666]

"However, I am sure there are also gay couples who want gay marriage for more symbolic and emotional reasons. Perhaps they simply want to be able to avail themselves of the things that other people enjoy."

Like making children? This is an emotional and psychological issue. Legal means already exist for common law people to make important decisions on each others behalf. A medical directive can appoint anyone you wish to make medical decisions for you, and a will can let you leave money to whomever you want. So I don't think this is for practical reasons, but the emotional reasons you outline above.

We are essentially in a culture war where gays want to be thought of as completely normal people and accepted by society as such. But they are not. Their sexual preference is a statistical anomoly, a minor reflection of societal behaviour, and there is no reason for anyone to accept it as something healthy or desirous.