nategiggles-The reason you call it something different, is because it is different. Man and Woman, who can multiply. Or as the gays call it-BREEDERS. mar·riage is defined as-The formal union of a man and a woman, typically recognized by law, by which they become husband and wife. It is a RELIGIOUS term. You call it a CIVIL UNION, and demand the EXACT same protections as a Marriage, isn't that what they want? Or do they want to redefine/rewrite the Bible? Just so you know, if the LAW said it has EQUAL protection, a company cannot deny the equal rights that come with that. Pick your battles wisely. Until then, I'll defend the word Marriage!

In response to ullh82w8: We may get more support from people if we call it something different, but thats because in their mind, if we call it something different, they don't have to recognize it as having the same validity. Same-gender couples in New Jersey have sued for the word because companies recognize that people see it as lesser and won't give health benefits to their spouses. They don't feel they need to recognize it as valid, because the rest of society doesn't. I recognize that many people associate a religious connotation with the word marriage, however, the legal essence of the bond, and the societal acceptance of those couples dictates that the word marriage is the only one that will suffice.

"Utah is obviously a deep[ly] rooted conservative state." Yet, considering the "State of Utah" is equally obviously an alter ego of the LDS Church, the terms "Utah" and "Mormons" could be interchanged throughout this article with no change in substance. And considering it took the Utah/Mormons of Brigham Young's church some 60 years before it bowed to national political pressure and disavowed polygamy by means of an "Official Declaration," and further considering it took 148 years before that same political pressure caused Utah/Mormons to lift the ban from black males receiving their priesthood by that same means (or face losing it's cherished tax-exempt status as a religious organization), it is only to be expected it would take more than 183 years for Utah/Mormons and their esteemed lawmakers to begin to be pressured into accepting the LGBT community as equal human beings in every respect. How a church that claims to be led by "modern-day revelation" could stray so far from its true humanity, rather than following the teachings of the One whose name they boast to the world, can only be wondered in amazement. And now considering that their upcoming conference "may make history" wherein it is expected that "women will pray" http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/56026380-78/women-general-conference-pray.html.csp it remains to be seen what they might say with respect to the subject of this ABC4 article, and particularly with respect to the pending decision of the Boy Scouts of America this coming May as to whether they will admit gays to their ranks with the Utah/Mormons' blessings, or to their exclusion and mutual condemnation by reason of their lost humanity. Perhaps LDS women might truly "make history" by praying about that "in conference assembled." But I expect only Lucifer will hear and answer their prayers, just as Joseph Smith tried to make clear when he wrote their temple endowment ceremony portraying the person who answers Adam praying at the altar. :) :)

I could careless what they do. If they want equal protection under the law, it is understandable. But to call it Marriage is wrong. Call it civil unions and demand the EXACT same protection under the law as a Marriage gets. You'll get more support.