Connecticut's marriage compromise

Connecticut seems to have struck a balance with the gay marriage issue...civil unions that carry all the benefits of "traditional marriage".

Connecticut became the third state to offer same-sex couples a legal way to unite, issuing its first licenses for "civil unions" Saturday in what seemed too low-key to be a milestone in a cultural fight that has divided the nation.

Here in Hartford -- where a rainbow flag hung outside City Hall and the clerk's office opened for special Saturday hours -- 26 couples came in to get licenses for the unions, which offer the same benefits as traditional marriage under state law.
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The law here also includes a provision, added to satisfy conservatives, that explicitly defines the term "marriage" as only between a man and a woman.

Some are dissatisfied that they cannot "marry", but I'd say this strikes a balance; if you live together, have a committed relationship, and are now recognized by the state and accorded the same rights under the law as a "married" couple, what (besides the label) is the real difference?

I'm personally for allowing outright marriage between same-sex couples; however, given the intense resistance this brings up with bigots conservatives, I think this compromise is the right answer for now. Eventually prejudice and bigotry resistance will fade as the shallow-minded conservatives see that gay marriages/civil unions simply do not destroy society.

Unfortunately, as with legal same sex unions/marriages in Vermont and Massachusetts, these unions carry no federal government recognition. But in time that, too, shall change.