The definition of marriage is composed of conflicting yet equally valid concerns: civil rights and respect of faith/sacred tradition. The establishment civil unions, which affords same sex couples the rights of traditional marriage and protects religious institutions from violating their creed, is a compromise that honors both respective views.
Jews wouldn’t want someone to hijack their faith by introducing Christian songs and symbols in the celebration of Hanukkah. Christmas is a more appropriate “institution” for such customs and traditions. In similar fashion, the federal government should show equal respect by formally introducing Civil Unions as an alternative institution that will not demand that either, credible view bend, homogenize, reform or otherwise compromise itself.