Good call on the thread merge Dave. We definitely only need one of these. I ignore this thread most of the time now.
Leith, don\'t you think civil unions are sort of a cop out? Granted, they\'re better than nothing, and if a compromise (which is purely rhetoric really) of wording is what\'s necessary than I say yes let\'s go with civil unions. However, I am tired of people who say they "don\'t care if someone is gay" saying they think civil unions are ok but marriage is not. I think the idea of marriage (not civil union) is really symbolic for a lot of people as the ultimate way to express one\'s love for another person. Legal benefits aside, these people should be able to have their marriage I think.