Why do people think a civil union gives the same rights as marriage?

To appease their guilt for blatant discrimination against a small group of people. It's wrong, and they know it.

If civil unions were REALLY that similar to marriages, we'd just call them marriages and save ourselves the extra paperwork.

Free2bme: Is there anyone else you don't think God wants welcomed in His house? Christian means Christ-like, not sanctimonious.

California State Family Law Code SS 297.5 EXPRESSLY STATES

297.5. (a) Registered domestic partners shall have the same rights,

protections, and benefits, and shall be subject to the same

responsibilities, obligations, and duties under law, whether they

derive from statutes, administrative regulations, court rules,

government policies, common law, or any other provisions or sources

of law, as are granted to and imposed upon spouses.

The fact of the matter is, if Gays would support nationwide recognition of Civil Unions they would have EVERYTHING they need. Trust me, it's more about what they want than anything logical. BO said he favors them, so does Elton John.

This is why Prop 8 passed. Because homosexuals already have a viable solution, they just don't want it. They want the word Marriage to be theirs.. just the same as they choose their lifestyle. I am inclined to agree with the computer chip.. but in light of my opinion not being the deciding factor, I'll bend for Civil Unions. After all, like Obama said,

"If people find that controversial, then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans."

Amendments to change these benefits under civil union would be a lot easier to accomplish than redefining the meaning of the word marriage. It would give everybody some sense of satisfaction and we could move on from this issue once in for all. Instead Gay and lesbians activists have a beef with legislation and religious groups in particular which is acting against them since they are still fighting an issue that could as i said be easily resolved.

Basically Gay and Lesbians are doing what Palestinians are doing with Israel. Their unconditional agreement demands has only fueled a longer war and deprived their own people of a land and peace.

Sometimes it is better to take 50c on the dollar than nothing at all.

Personally I'd be fine with eliminating all forms of marriage benefits for all people. There's no reason for it. Combine that with a simplified tax system and everyone's equal and everyone's happy.

As for the DOMA.. there's nothing wrong with it. In fact if anything it reinforces states rights to manage themselves.

Many because the "benefits" the State grants heterosexual couples comes from the fact that they can procreate (and often do). Over the years "married" couples were given benefits due to them creating families (having children) & the obligations they faced. Homosexual couples do not face this challenge being unable to procreate via the nature of their relationships.

Before you say it, its pricey and a pain in the rear to identify which heterosexual couples are reproducing (privacy issues as well), which ones are to old and so forth (so they just right a blanket law). The moment two women can f--k or two men can f--k and pop out a kid and I'll rethink my position.

Marriage should not be an issue with the government anyway, civil unions should provide the same rights and privileges as marriage licenses.

I think civil unions should give individuals the same right as married people when it comes to entities that is regulated or legislative by the government. This country should not discriminate against individuals because of their sexually orientation. Marriage is a religious act not a government act.

They don't -- and that was the initial battle. Had they stuck w/ that crusade they would have won. That's discrimination on any front. Instead it was spun into a fight over the definition of marriage.

Don't forget expedited citizenship if a U.S. citizen pursues a union w/ a foreign national. Homosexuals have to go through the traditional channels -- not the case for hetero cross-continental marriages/unions.

Misinformation is reason #1. The right to marry is not just about the actual legal ceremony, but an equal right to the extensive list of legal protections awarded to married couples. These range from tax relief to medical decision making.

They don't. The benefits are imitations of the marriage benefits and end at state lines.