Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable because of it.
Pope Francis
Civil unions are intended to be marriage in all but name, and have an expansive, generous sound — but the name is of crucial importance because the laws of virtually every country on earth specify rights and privileges that accompany marriage exclusively. It’s a step forward for LGBT recognition, and from an unexpected place, but not so big a step as it may sound.