There is an argument that the word "Marriage" is what the opponents to gay marriage are up in arms about. The heterosexuals believe this is somehow raping their idea of what marriage should be.
The gay community does not want to be classified as different, they want the same rights but they don't want a "civil union". I agree with an article I read that they could be successful if they scrapped the word marriage and used something entirely different. If the word was changed but the rights remained intact this could be the way to go. Who cares if it's civil union, or anything else. You are still "married"...I wouldn't ask my girlfriend to civil union me. That's silly.