What is Marriage?

Civil Marriage

Civil marriage is an agreement between two people and the state, which is recognized at all levels of government. Civil marriage confers hundreds of rights, privileges and responsibilities to couples — which are denied to gay and lesbian couples because they cannot marry — including:

• Spousal visitation in hospitals (ICU, for example)
• Family medical and bereavement leave
• Family health insurance coverage
• Arrangement for spousal funeral and burial
• Child support and parental responsibilities
• Responsibility to support a spouse
• Commitment to remain married

Religious Marriage

Civil and religious marriage are not the same. Each religious denomination has its own set of beliefs, and confers religious marriage according to its tradition. Some faith communities recognize relationships between gay and lesbian couples, and some choose not to do so. Civil marriage would not change a religious denomination’s ability to deny gay and lesbian marriage within their faith community.

Civil vs. Religious Marriages

Religious marriages of opposite-gender couples are recognized by all levels of government. Those couples receive hundreds of state-granted rights and responsibilities. Lesbian and gay couples who are able to marry within their religious communities are denied participation in these rights and responsibilities.

Civil marriages do not require recognition by a church. Many opposite-sex couples are joined in civil marriage by a justice of the peace. These are not religious marriages, but they are recognized by government and are granted the same rights and responsibilities as couples married by religious representatives.