What does the State term such unions - 'civil unions' or 'marriage' or both ? Or is it that the State uses the term 'civil union' while churches use the term, and recognise, 'marriage' ?

Either way, one problem with MAY arise with same-sex civil unions could involve a bisexual partner: if he/she enters into such a civil union, and later becomes attracted to somebody from the other sex and wishes to 'marry' them, is that legally possible ? i.e. are same-sex unions as binding as different-sex unions in relation to bigamy ? Could a partner be charged with bigamy who is in a same-sex union, yet also enters into a different-sex union ?

Or, of course, vice versa - somebody in a 'conventional' different-sex union who seeks to enter into a same-sex union: would that person be required to get divorced from their other-sexed partner before they can enter into a same-sex union, in order to avoid a charge of bigamy ?

Maybe it's a lot easier to stay de facto: that way, a person can enter into as many de facto relationships as they can physically and financially manage, without any charge of bigamy. So maybe it's a lot more convenient not to get 'married' at all ? How does the law of bigamy relate to de facto relationships ?

Just wondering :)

Joe