Defense of marriage

How can I quantify my disappointment in how many of the various so called "defense of marriage" amendments were passed in yesterday's elections. I am absolutely stunned by how bigotted, prejudiced, and petty our society is. The necessity of this legislation begs a few questions.

1. Were marriages defenseless? Why did they need defending and who was attacking them?

and

2. Did I miss an announcement that was made concerning the mandantory participation in homosexual marriages? I am not sure why it was necessary to make those unions "more illegal."

In general my faith in the US as a good place to raise my child has been rocked. Today I dislike people in general, especially the people who think state sponsored discrimination is acceptable.