What is the difference in a gay marriage and a civil union?

Marriage is a legal status, which comes with rights and responsibilities. Marriage establishes a legal kinship between you and your spouse. It is a relationship that is recognized across cultures, countries and religions.


Civil unions were created to provide legal protections to gays and lesbians in relationships in certain states because gay marriage is not an option. Civil Unions offer some of the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, but only on a state level.





Basic Differences:





Recognition in other states:


A marriage is legally recognized in all 50 states. A civil union is legally recognized only in the state it was performed in.





Dissolving/Divorcing:


If the couple breaks up and wishes to dissolve the union, one of them must be a resident of the state they were civilly united in for one year before the Civil Union can be dissolved in family court. Married couples can divorce in any state they reside, no matter where they were married.





Immigration:


A United States citizen who is married can sponsor his or her non-American spouse for immigration into this country. Those with Civil Unions have no such privilege.





Taxes:


Civil Unions are not recognized by the federal government, so couples would not be able to file joint-tax returns or be eligible for tax breaks or protections the government affords to married couples.





Benefits:


For heterosexual married couples, there are benefits. These benefits range from federal benefits, such as survivor benefits through Social Security, sick leave to care for ailing partner, tax breaks, veterans benefits and insurance breaks. They also include things like family discounts, obtaining family insurance through your employer, visiting your spouse in the hospital and making medical decisions if your partner is unable to. Civil Unions protect some of these rights, but not all of them.





What is the difference in a gay marriage and a civil union?
The difference is being gay is an abomination in God's eyes. And I agree with God he made everyone the opposite on purpose. He didn't make them to be the same sex so that is why it's an abomination to him. I stay away from gay people because of that reason. What is the difference in a gay marriage and a civil union?
In marriage the church is usually involved and the congregation blesses the union. For gays marriage opens up a war with people who don't like the union blessed, and civil unions have been much easier to get the community go along.
Marriage is for people with rights


Civil union is for the 2nd class citizens





People who are married don't accept it as being the same
Equal rights. Equal treatment. Equal respect.