Advantages of Marriage and Advantages of Civil UnionWhat is the difference between marriage and civil unions? There are many differences, mainly related to the benefits that married couples receive and that civil union couples do not receive. Marriage is different for same-sex and straight couples. Even when gay people are married, they do not enjoy the same benefits as heterosexual married couples. What if civilly united couples could benefit from the same advantages as a married couple? When heterosexual couples get married, they receive certain benefits, such as social, medical, and inheritance benefits. This means they can leave their job in case of an emergency with their spouse and also purchase insurance for themselves and their spouse. Married couples also benefit from larger tax returns as well as money transferred to their account in the event of their spouse's death. Same-sex couples do not have the privilege of being married and therefore do not enjoy the benefits that come with marriage. People are against same-sex marriage for several reasons. Most are simply opposed to the idea that two people of the same sex can fall in love and form a family. Or because people don't want gay people to have the same benefits as heterosexual couples. According to a recent Gallop Organization poll, forty-three percent of Americans are opposed to same-sex marriage (Morin). Since same-sex couples cannot marry in some states; some states allow civil unions. Civil unions were created in 2000 in Vermont to give responsibilities and legal protection to same-sex couples (Wolfson). Recently, civil unions have been declared ineffective because they create second-class citizenship. A civil union does very little for same-sex couples and gives them... middle of paper ... and gives them more meaning, so everyone will get what they want. Same-sex marriage is a thing of the future, it will happen no matter what. People just need some common ground to fall back on. And that commonality is being able to be considered family with the one you love, regardless of gender. And get better tax benefits and grow the economy so everyone can live a better life. The work cites “Marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships: a comparison”. EqualityMaine. Equality Maine, nd Web. April 2, 2014. “The freedom to marry. » Marriage versus civil union or domestic partnership. Np, and Web. April 2, 2014. “Gay+and+lesbian+rights.” TheFreeDictionary.com. Np, and Web. April 2, 2014. Morin, Rich. "Study: Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage May Be Undercounted in Public Opinion Polls." » Pew Research Center RSS. Np, September 30, 2013. Web. April 3. 2014.