Reply #1: The United States already has both for everybody, as long as they're straight.

[yardwork]

When you obtain your marriage license, the government is giving you the right to marry or civil union or whatever it is that you want to call it. The license says "marriage license" on it, but it's a civil contract. Many people choose to sanctify this union with a religious ceremony, which is also called marriage. The religious ceremony is totally optional and has no legal meaning whatsoever. The legal contract is contained in that marriage license issued by the county courthouse.

Straight people can do this anywhere in the United States, and their civil union is legal in any other state. Nobody cares if they got married in a church or not. All that matters is that marriage license and the fact that somebody signed off on your marriage. Doesn't matter if that person is a priest or a minister or clerk of court or a judge or a seaboat captain.

Got it?