a major part of the problem is that word 'Marry/iage'. It is almost as if it is imbued with a special meaning other than 'partnership recorded officially'. Of course, for some people who come from the religeous side of it, it is.

But it shouldn't be.

I would be happy (as written in my own LJ) for *all* couples to have to have a civil resistration and then choose *optionally* to do the religious bit ...