Same Sex Marriage: So Why The Big Deal?

Same sex marriage has been legal in Canada for quite some time now (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_Canada). Despite some initial grumblings from conservatives and traditionalists, the issue has become a major non issue here in Canada. No Canadian political party would dare run on a platform which would seek to change that position of equality rights for gays and lesbians. Curiously, however, no American politician, even liberal President elect Obama, will publicly support same sex marriage. The Rick Warren fiasco demonstrates that despite our similarities there is a huge difference in attitudes towards this issue between our two countries. I wonder why? We seem to share so many cultural, moral, and religious views, but on this issue of gay marriage our political leaders, and maybe the public, are miles apart. Any ideas out there which explains this?