The problem I see with your solution is that it "solves" the problem by attempting to constrain jurisdictions, which per ipse reduces the rights and privileges attendant upon "marriage".
To wit, if a couple gets "married", jump in their car for their honeymoon, cross the state border, get in a terrible car accident leaving one of them unconscious, there is no question that whatever hospital they wind up in will allow the other spouse to visit the unconscious one and make care choices for them.
But if a couple gets a "civil union", jump in their car for their honeymoon, cross the state border, get in a terrible car accident leaving one of them unconscious, the hospital in that other state in which they wind up may elect not to consider the conscious spouse the "next of kin", indeed may not consider that spouse "kin" at all, and even refuse visitation rights.
There is no "solution" which involves limiting the jurisdiction of the change which doesn't result in less benefits for the "civil union" than the "marriage", precisely because marriages aren't limited in jurisdiction.
For my proposal to work, it would have to be nationwide all at once.
Uh, which probably means federal ... a federal intrusion into what has been a states issue (not like DOMA isn't a similar intrusion) ... could the feds mandate a nomenclature change (and antidiscrimination) without otherwise impinging on states' making their own decisions about age requirements, tests, etc.?
Also, what you wrote about a couple getting married and driving across state lines still only applies if they got the marriage license -- i.e. if they have a civil marriage; that aspect wouldn't change.
(no subject)
To wit, if a couple gets "married", jump in their car for their honeymoon, cross the state border, get in a terrible car accident leaving one of them unconscious, there is no question that whatever hospital they wind up in will allow the other spouse to visit the unconscious one and make care choices for them.
But if a couple gets a "civil union", jump in their car for their honeymoon, cross the state border, get in a terrible car accident leaving one of them unconscious, the hospital in that other state in which they wind up may elect not to consider the conscious spouse the "next of kin", indeed may not consider that spouse "kin" at all, and even refuse visitation rights.
There is no "solution" which involves limiting the jurisdiction of the change which doesn't result in less benefits for the "civil union" than the "marriage", precisely because marriages aren't limited in jurisdiction.
Re:
Uh, which probably means federal ... a federal intrusion into what has been a states issue (not like DOMA isn't a similar intrusion) ... could the feds mandate a nomenclature change (and antidiscrimination) without otherwise impinging on states' making their own decisions about age requirements, tests, etc.?
Re: