Thank you, Neko. This thread has become unwieldy: over 500 posts. I'm finding it difficult to follow the various strands of the thread that interested me, and I think at this point, I'm going to stop trying.
As I read through the thread this morning, it struck me that my experience here differs from my experience in the off-line world. I'm semi-retired, but still in touch with people in my industry; I'm also fairly involved in church and community activities. With the possible exception of our parish priest (I'm not sure about him), I don't know anyone -- not one person -- who would want to roll back the progress in affirming the civil and political rights of GLBTQ persons and families.
BTW: Rights are affirmed or recognized; they are not "special" or "created."  The rights of GLBTQ persons, like all rights, flow from the dignity of personhood and from citizenship. I add this because the notion that GLBTQ persons seek special rights, or that the Courts create rights is simply wrong.