Can they downgrade your marriage to a civil union?

Matt: Can the government downgrade your marriage to a civil union?
If the government wants everyone to be equal but is not willing to grant civil marriage to gays and lesbians, could they just change all marriage licenses to civil unions? Would this be a fair compromise? If not, then why is it fair to give civil unions to gay couples and marriage to straight couples? Does this different status create a second class or a “separate-but-equal” situation?
***Edit***
@Phoenix Quill:
Should infertile couples, elderly couples, couples that adopt, and couples that do not plan on having kids only be granted civil unions? If adoptive parents get marriages even though they have not procreated, then why shouldn’t gay couples who raise children?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Cuz I Said So
They can call it whatever they want and they would still have no business in personal relationships. I don’t need or want the government in my marriage. I will not support any movement that invites the government further into my personal life.

Answer by Big One 0909
When they allow Gay Marriage, they are downgrading my marriage.

Answer by Curtis 1911
I like that idea,,,,,See we always hear “Separation of Church and State” so for the state to endorse a religious event is in violation according to liberalism.

So now if the state only issues a civil union license to everyone and leaves marriage to the church then gays and straights and libs and some cons will be happy.

I Myself being a true Reagan Conservative, and TEA party member would rather have a state issued civil union license then to allow the definition of marriage to be changed.

Answer by Hugh Jorgan
No, not legally.

Answer by David Smith
I agree, if you give something to someone then you need to do the same to another. It isn’t fair to the LGBT community. Legalize gay marriage!

Answer by Awesome Pa-Pa-Pasome
It’s not a downgrade.

Civil unions should be conferred by state.

Marriage is a religious institution like baptism or some other personal choice.

Answer by Frothing Neocon Rage
That’s the argument. Opponents argue that marriage can only exist between a man and a woman. Proponents argue that this distinction violates the 14th amendment of the US Constitution.

The proponents are right. 60 years ago marriage was defined as between a white man and a white woman, or between a minority man and a minority woman. In other words – it was illegal for a white person to marry a minority. The USSC struck down that law in Loving v. Virginia and said that marriage is a fundamental constitutional right.

This is no different. More and more states are allowing homosexual marriage. There will be a few more attempts to stop it, but ultimately they will be unsuccessful.

Answer by B X
civil unions are the same thing as marriage with the exception that it was made for same sex couples. if you read and understand what marriage is you will know that it does not apply to same sex couples, thus the problem with legal gay marriage. and no the government cannot change my marriage to a civil union. that would be up to the supreme court and they understand the law because its there job to interpret it.

Answer by Whiskey Whiskey
Is a religious ceremony recognized by the courts? Marriage is ceremony the paperwork after wards is what the civil courts recognize. The NAME does not matter only the result.

I don’t not care if some changes the name of my rifle to a peanut butter sandwich as long as when I pull the trigger it kill is all that matters.

A Rose by any other name…..

Answer by How would I know
Separate but equal would signify that there is a difference in marriage rights based on abnormal vs normal sexual orientation. And that’s simply not true.

The pool of people a normal man/woman can legally marry is IDENTICAL to the pool a homosexual man/woman can legally marry. 100% identical rights.

You need to get over this belief that making a “lifestyle choice” makes you better than everybody else. You do NOT deserve extra rights. You do NOT deserve special treatment.

Answer by kate112280
Great point! I have often wondered what the problem is with a gay couple going to City Hall and getting a marriage license. Gay couples being granted a civil union as opposed to a marriage creates a second class. Civil Unions do not give the same legal protection as a marriage license.
To the poster that says gay marriage would downgrade their marriage. Really? and how would that be?
I have been married 30 years and a gay couple getting legally married would not affect my marriage at all.

Answer by mom
Marriage is a name that is given to the union of a man and a woman. That has been so for thousands of years. It could be changed possibly to civil union but it would always be known as marriage in the minds of those who are for real marriage (to procreate) and would only leave gay marriage or civil union in the same minds. In other words, the only people calling gay marriage a marriage would be those who believe in gays being married.

Answer by Their Constitution rules them
I don’t understand why government has control or should over the definition of marriage. If civil unions are all the same rights as a marriage then straights or homosexuals can have civil unions and have the same rights and are not separate but equal, they are exactly equal. Marriage is a social institution not a government institution. Society has the right to determine its definition not government.

Answer by Phoenix Quill
Government is about FAIRNESS not EQUALITY.
FAIRNESS is getting what you deserve.
EQUALITY is getting the same as everyone else.
Only Marxists think those two terms are the same.

Here’s a concept. MAYBE Society is about helping breeders create the next generation.

And MAYBE Marriage laws are about doing that.

And MAYBE Gays should support breeder benefits instead of PRETENDING they are entitled to receive them.

Seriously folks. Marriage is designed to facilitate the VERY serious task of raising children.
Civil Union are about a couple of people who for some reason want joint property.

So STOP with the bullshit that Gays are being treated like second class citizens here.
Gays are NOT being sent to the back of the bus.
They are just being told they don’t belong in the breeder benefit line.