In the past three years, I have attended probably a dozen same-sex marriages.  As one can imagine, there was pent-up demand.  The couples I know have been together for decades and for them, this was a dream come true.  Finally, they are able to enjoy all the legal benefits and protections provided by civil marriage.

For many years, gay couples could have a matrimonial ceremony in quite a number of faiths but this was not recognized by the State as a legal marriage and thus no civil protections were a result.  Today, those protections are available through the recognition of their marriages by the State and Federal governments.

As far a low number of marriages, marriage is an option for some couples.  Statistics on straight couples show 50% marry and 50% do not - even when children are involved.  For gay couples, this will take time and generations to even-out.

This article comes across as "sour grapes" implying this was not needed.  That is not the case.  Ask those who did marry.