Forgive my ignorance but I think you can get a marriage license without even having to go through a courthouse ceremony. It's the same civil union contract for all hetero and in some states gay couples regardless of religion or lack thereof. It's great that your employer has health benefits for same-sex partners, but isn't that just to bypass the bigotry of the existing laws? Not trying to be callous or diminish your point.

Cocoalfresco: You may be right about the marriage license but why is the word "marriage" on there. I don't want a "marriage" license. That is what I'm saying. I want a choice. I want them to ask me, I guess, would you like a civil union or a marriage?

Quite frankly, if the government is involved, then the license should say civil union on it IMO. Regardless of the genders of the couple.

If a person wants to get married, then they could do that at their place of worship. It would be a completely different thing. It could be a special ceremony that some may choose to have when they are getting a legal civil union. Optional.

As for the health benefits, I am glad they are offering healthcare to same sex life partners. It is great. I want the same offering to go to opposite sex life partners. They are fighting bigotry with more bigotry. And BTW, they didn't do it out of the kindness of their hearts. They had to be arm-twisted into it.

And don't forget the tax benefits. Marrieds filing jointly save thousands on their taxes.

Rated

@ Travis. Good point. I commented on just that topic on another article.
http://open.salon.com/blog/scott_k/2009/02/20/joint_filing_why_i_really_want_to_marry_my_same-sex_partner

I think singles and couples should pY the same taxes. No tax breaks for being hitched. No penalties for being single. The current tax code is a form of discrimination also.

I have been considering this problem as well, every since I was proposed to.

So I broke it down into what marriage is. Marriage is a system of social stability that has existed in many different forms all over the world. Society gives certain promises as well to either parties that get married, for instance Community Property.

Then I tried to figure out how a Civil Union did not fullfill the same roll. I believe it is because of the long lasting traditions of making promises before god as well. Well, I don't think any government should be in the business of regulating religion, and I decided that the government should get out of it.

People could still go and have beautiful weddings, and beautiful marriages, but perhaps instead of recieving their marriage license, they would get a civil union license. Thus if you wanted to divorce, the government would know what to do, and if you wanted to promise all sorts of things to your partner before god you could as well.

But seriously, I'd love have a lovely wedding with lots of cake and beautiful promises to my beloved, and then sign a Civil Union License.