Civil Union Rights for LGBTQ Couples Federally?

Following Andrew Sullivan's lead with this snippet from Michael Medved (click here), what would it be like to have a federal civil union bill for any and all couples, straight AND LGBTQ? Would the religious conservatives be O.K. with such a law? Would the LGBTQ community be O.K. with such a law?

Or do we go back to this debate: marriage is a contract between two people that is offered by and through the state currently. THAT a religious community wants to participate in officiating at such an event called "a wedding," is something totally different. There is what the state does--gives permission for two people to become a couple--and what a religious community can do--officiate at the ceremony as an agent of the state.

Which way do we go?

Pace!

B