I was married and was faithful for 23 years and she cheated so I divorced her. I never wore a weeding ring. I didn't need it to prove a thing or to remind me or inform anyone else of my status. It's really all about the people involved. Some may need it and some, not. I could go either way. But I'll still never wear a ring. I'm not an animal and I won't be branded. Period.

At 51 and a widow, I'm open to alternatives more and more each day. I would love to find a roommate/ boyfriend/ helpmate or some combo.

All the ugliness about same sex marriage has me thinking it's a mere formality. I can commit to one other in a more meaningful and private way, to be honest.

That said, though, the tax break (for filing married in the US) is a bit tempting.

I was married once but not in the church. We just signed a paper on Monday morning with only two witness. I divorced after 5 years of marriage, now and it doesn't really matter.

So, a guy jumps in with an observation. In the United States there are a number of legal and tax issues involved. Marriage is a legal status in this country. There are pros and cons, but I suggest that marriage is much more than a social contract and should be considered in that light.

I think that gettign married is becoming less important to women in general, regardless of their beliefs or lack of beliefs.