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 ?