Thoughts on same sex marriage?

I would really like to know what people think about the matter from both a religious and non religious standpoint to be further educated on the topic. I was debating with a few friends of mine a few days ago who were both against it who said that marriage derived from religion and therefore it is a religious thing. They also said that marriage unites a man and a woman under god, and therefore homosexuals should not want to marry under a god who feels their lifestyle is unacceptable. Are their any views that God loves anybody despite sexual orientation? Another thing, is it wrong or right to marry under a god of a religion that does not condone same sex marriage?