Marriage is not equal to civil union

What’s the difference between a marriage and a civil union? The New Jersey State Legislature will decide within the next 180 days.

The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that gay and lesbian couples will have the same rights as heterosexual couples. The court did not say what these unions should be called.

Why can’t it be termed a marriage? The rights will be the same as those that heterosexual couples have. They should also have the same name.

To call a homosexual relationship a civil union implies that it is not the same as a marriage. It implies that homosexual couples should be treated differently.

If these relationships are called civil unions, it will make people think these people should be treated differently —probably negatively.

If these couples do have the same rights, then why do they not have the right to marry? Denying marriage is a good indication that things aren’t really equal, even if the law says they are. It will be meaningless if enforced under another name.