text: I think there are a couple of significant differences\nbetween marriage and civil union.\n\nThe first is emotional.  "Marriage" has a deep meaning\nto many/most people, and to be able to be married means\nmore to them than just the financial/legal aspects of\na civil contract.\n\nThe second is that there really are some legal areas\nwhere a civil union provides fewer rights than a marriage.\nMost notably, except for those states which\nhave recently passed laws to the contrary, marriage\nin one state is recognized in other states, whereas\nthe same is likely not true of civil unions.  I believe\nthat in the few states that have same-sex civil unions,\nthey have granted most of the same rights as marriage;\nhowever, there are many cases where corporate policies\nhave not followed suit.  For example, if a company\nwould let someone cover their married spouse on the\ncompany medical insurance policy, will they allow that\nsame coverage to a civil union partner?\n\nAs for how to decide if one of the partners should\nchange their last name, I don't have a clue.