by Tom Koecke

Created on: July 18, 2007   Last Updated: January 19, 2009

There is growing support for allowing gay men and lesbians to file quasi-marriage licenses distinguished as civil unions. Those who support the concept are those who would otherwise deny these people marriage licenses, except they are losing court cases. It lacks the integrity of equality because it is "separate but equal." Denying gays and lesbians marriage licenses, but allowing civil unions, makes as much sense as requiring different building permits, deeds, or any other recorded documents for the same reason.

Marriage licenses, it is often contended, are intended for the sanctity of family, and to give children legitimacy. These licenses are easily dissolved, and are occasionally later found to be filed fraudulently. Marriage licenses are subject to challenge for many reasons. There is no limit to the number of marriage licenses may be legitimately filed by any one person. Fertility is not required to file marriage licenses.

Marriage is sanctioned, not sanctified, through the license.

The result is Caesar will sanction a marriage in which the couple's two bastard children serve in the ceremony, while across town a gay man lies dying in ICU without the comfort of his longtime mate who is not family so is not allowed in - because Caesar would not sanction them family.

Homosexual couples have begun fighting in court for the right to marry. They have been winning many of these cases, particularly in states that have equal protection clauses in the state Constitution. It is, after all, fairly simple to prove that issuing license if one person is male and one person is female, but denying license because one person is male or one person is female, is gender discrimination.

The term "civil union" is both indignant and laughable. It is different to please society, but exactly the same to please gays and lesbians. What a concept!

There is no reason for lesbians and gays to settle for civil unions while prevailing in court cases deciding marriage licenses must be issued to same-sex couples, as in Massachusetts, and that the licenses are valid elsewhere, as in New York. Four states now license civil unions but not marriages. Though the opposition to same-sex marriage is still loud, more and more people, especially young people, simply do not care. Gays and lesbians are not perceived as the threats to society like they once were.

With four states recognizing civil unions, and only one issuing marriage licenses, it seems the trend is toward civil union licenses. All of this

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