Gay Marriage, Civil Union, Heterosexual Marriage, Commonlaw Marriage ...whatever.
The ultimate battle is about SEMANTICS!!!!
It is about love, committment and legal sanction.
The argument I have heard brings for the point about "religious" ideals and what god has "endowed". Where does this leave those who seek to have a civil ceremony... IF this is the case then, I say do away with ALL "marriage". This also brings into the play the separation of church and state.
I think the procedure should be changed so that everyone gets a "civil union" and THEN if they want to call it a "Marriage", they have it officiated by some 'sanctioning' group besides a civil authority.
Then depending on the inclination of those involved...you can chose from a selection to have the type of "sanctioned" legal relationship you want. Heterosexual civil union, heterosexual civil marriage, heterosexual marriage, Gay civil union, gay civil marriage, gay marriage.
my 2 cents....
edited to clarify my use of the word buffet.