Civil unions vs. marriage [View All]

[sweetpotato]

In discussing the possibility of extending marriage to the GLBT community with my elderly, old school republican parents, what they object to is not the uniting of partners in a state recognized union that grants all of the state/federal rights to them that are granted to hetero couples, it is calling it "marriage" that is offensive.

It is a simple issue of semantics for them.

So - why not have civil unions for all household partnerships and reserve the word "marriage" for something that is done in a religious setting? These religiously based unions would serve no legal purpose, they are for making a contract with the partner, God (or whatever deity), and the temple/church/religious community. Any rights or blessings bestowed a "marriage" would derive only from the religious entity that united the partners.

Those united in civil unions would be privy to the rights and responsibilities conferred by the government and the broader civic community.

Is there something wrong with this idea? Am I missing something from the GLBT standpoint that makes this idea offensive? Please educate me - I probably need it.