But whether a couple is a man and a woman has everything to do with the meaning of marriage.

Marriage encourages the men and women who together create life to unite in a bond for the protection of children.

Marriage cannot be severed from its cultural, religious and natural roots without weakening the good influence of society.

So far, 44 States, or 88 percent of the States, have enacted laws providing that marriage shall consist of a union between a man and a woman. Only 75 percent of the States are required to approve a constitutional amendment.

When I talk about the importance of the institution of marriage, I think of the commitment and the significance of standing in front of those closest to you and promising fidelity to your partner 'til death do you part.'

I support allowing gay couples to marry because of - not in spite of - my values. And many of those values are the same ones deeply held by those who do not believe in gay marriage.

Marriage is a team effort. Both of us share that philosophy.

Sooner or later they are going to live in a New York City where gay marriage is not only legal, but it's common and they don't even notice.

I've exchanged messages and photos of an explicit nature with about six women over the last three years. For the most part, these communications took place before my marriage, though some have sadly took place after. To be clear, I have never met any of these women or had physical relationships at any time.

There was no religious ceremony connected with marriage among us, while on the other hand the relation between man and woman was regarded as in itself mysterious and holy.