If two people who share a religious faith decide to marry (with whatever connotations that has for them), they would usually do it in a way that is agreeable their religion and their religious community and their God(s). In Britain (and the US too, I expect)this is normally accompanied by a civil legal agreement that confers a number of legal rights and duties. I'm sure you aren't obliged to have to have the legal agreement; equally, you don't have to have the religious one if you don't feel any religious duty to do so.

The legal marriage entitles you to certain tax benefits and rights to each other's property, as well as putting you under certain obligations -- not unlike like a business partnership, in many ways. I don't have a problem in any two (or more, maybe!) people entering into a legally binding contract of that kind; indeed, I'm sure it's possible to have one and not call it marriage without changing any UK laws; you'd maybe start with a joint mortgage, joint bank account and two wills, and then have a solicitor draw up a contract to set out terms and conditions and tie everything together. As long as it avoided mention of a sexual relationship, there would be no problem; even in "proper" marriage, neither partner is entitled to sex.

I think the real issue is that many gay people want to have their sexuality accepted -- not their personal sexuality, but "other" sexuality generally. I think there is some way to go yet.

Steve (not Eve!)