"How many subgroups can you think of at the moment who dont have equal "civil status"... excluding homosexuals?"

I can't think of any. Which is a wonderful illustration of how far we have come in ensuring equal rights. They are now granted to everyone ... excluding homosexuals of course.

I think it would be silly to argue that being the last remaining group to be discriminated against means that when that final discrimination is removed, that group is being granted "special rights".