They must have the right to choose to enter into such a relationship. If you want to think up a new name to seperate civil and religious marriages so that gays don't "violate the sanctity of marriage", that would probably cut out a lot of the confusion for everyone.

I don't see why civil marriage should be given a different name. Isn't civil marriage clear enough? I am an atheist and am in civil marriage with my atheist husband and I'm bloody well not going let anyone insist change that. Personally I would be far happier if any couple, whatever gender, were able to also have a civil marriage. It would also be far easier legally, if civil marriage were opened up to all couples - think of all those laws where spouse will have to be changed to 'spouse or civil partner'.