My proposed solution to the whole mess is to separate the Marriage and the Partnership. Let people get Married in accordance with their religious or social practices as they desire but it holds no legal standing. Then, have the State offer some sort of Partnership entities (&quot;Domestic Partnership&quot;?) like an LLP or Corporation that handles the financial and legal responsibilities of the union. People could choose to engage in one or the other or both, but they&#x27;re separate things. It seems like it&#x27;d solve a lot of the conflicts we&#x27;re seeing.