proposal 8 and schools

In class today, we mentioned Proposal 8 and how it may be an important issue when we start discussing GLBT issues in class. I wanted to research the proposal so I was at least a little bit informed when that time came. What I found was surprising.
First, Proposal 8 changed the California Constitution in order to eliminate the right of same sex couples to marry. This means that the only recognizable, and therefore valid, marriage is that of a man and a woman.
The biggest trouble I have with this idea is that I find it hard to determine who can give validity to someone's relationship. The fact that the love felt between a homosexual couple is the same love that a heterosexual couple shares, but it can not be recognized is very unfair. Additionally, if we have a separation of church and state, and religiously marriage is considered the union of a male and female, why should that religious belief be what dictates the lives of people?
Looking at the very foundation of our country, one would think that freedom and equality would be upheld in all aspects of the constitution today. However, banning gay marriage, and in turn deeming the marriage between same sex couples as invalid, is hardly equal.
It seems as if Proposal 8 gives two different sets of rules- one set for heterosexual couples, and then another, very unfortunate set, for heterosexual couples. This is unfair, and unequal.
I am very disappointed to learn that ban-gay-marriage amendments were approved in Arizona and Florida as well. But most shocking to me is that Arkansas voters approved a measure banning unmarried couples from serving as adoptive or foster parents. I feel as if this is even more important than banning gay marriage. The right to have the union between two people recognized is as right that everyone should have. Take the actual ceremony of marriage out of the picture, gay couples should still have rights as a union, such as health care benefits, etc. They should also be allowed to adopt children. The fact that voters feel as if they have the right to tell a same sex couple that they are not "qualified" to raise a child is absurd and offensive. I started to think about what this means to me as a teacher. Students hear the news, or others talk about the news, and what are the children of same sex parents now going to think? How is one of my future students who may come from this type of family going to feel knowing that America's voters took away these rights from same sex couples?