One of the most important benefits of marriage is to be recognised as next-of-kin - and hospital visiting rights can be denied on the basis that a gay partner is "only a friend", not a relative.
I have to say that on a personal level this is one of the most important issues in the marriage-equality discussion (I recognize that it is only one of many, as Frako listed above).
At risk of arguing from anecdote, I would like to mention something that happened to friends of ours several years ago. Dear friends of our family are a same-sex couple that have been together for over 40 years. In 2001 one had a heart attack and had to have bypass surgery. Long story short, we waited and watched for almost two days while he waited not even knowing if his loved one was alive or dead. It took that long to contact a family member who could sign and fax the permission needed. It ultimately ended as well as could be, and they took legal steps to insure that next time it wouldn't happen.
I am convinced that had anyone been there to see even a fragment of the terror and sadness our beloved friend endured while waiting, the issue of gay marriage would become a no-brainer. My wife and I were sincerely afraid that the stress alone was going to kill him. It was physically painful for
us, just as friends. That is the event that comes to mind whenever anyone tries to use the 'they want special rights' or 'they already have the same rights as the rest of us' argument.
Just as a point of comparison, when my wife had a medical emergency and was taken to the ER, I was talking to a doctor five minutes after parking the car. No one checked my id, no one asked to see a marriage license, or legal document. I just said I was her husband and was directed to the doctor.
Doctor Bashir: "Of all the stories you told me, which were true and which weren't?"
Elim Garak: "My dear Doctor, they're all true"
Doctor Bashir: "Even the lies?"
Elim Garak: "Especially the lies"
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